Classical Concert February 25-26, 2023

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA’s 2022/23 season continues with 2022/23 Artist-in-Residence and virtuoso pianist Orli Shaham on February 25-26 at Skyview Concert Hall. Shaham will perform Robert Schumann’s beautiful Piano Concerto in A minor under the baton of Maestro Salvador Brotons. Also on the program is the Intermezzo from Pietro Mascagni’s 1905 opera Amica and Giacomo Puccini’s great Messa di Gloria featuring the Portland Symphonic Choir and soloists Katherine Goforth and Anton Belov.

Written for and premiered by the composer’s wife Clara Schumann, Piano Concerto in A minor is at turns powerful and lyrical, and is one of the most widely performed and recorded piano concertos of the period. Clara Schumann was a distinguished pianist and composer in her own right and following the premiere she raved about her husband’s work, writing "... how rich in invention, how interesting from the beginning to the end, how fresh and what a beautiful coherent whole!”

Puccini’s Messa di Gloria¸ also called Messa a quattro voci or simply Messa, is a mass written for orchestra and four-part chorus with tenor and baritone soloists. The work had its first performance in 1880 to a favorable reception, but Puccini never published the entire work and it was not performed again until 1952. While Puccini is better known today for his hugely popular operas, Messa has been firmly established as a part of the choral music canon since its publication, full of energy and vitality.

About Orli Shaham

A consummate musician recognized for her grace, subtlety, and brilliance, the pianist Orli Shaham is hailed by critics on four continents. The New York Times called her a "brilliant pianist," The Chicago Tribune referred to her as “a first-rate Mozartean,” and London's Guardian said Ms. Shaham's playing at the Proms was “perfection."

Orli Shaham has performed with many of the major orchestras around the world, and has appeared in recital internationally, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. She is Artistic Director of Pacific Symphony’s chamber series Café Ludwig in California since 2007, and Artistic Director of the interactive children's concert series, Orli Shaham’s Bach Yard, which she founded in 2010.

Highlights of Ms. Shaham’s 2022-2023 concert season include performances with the Finnish Radio Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, and Vancouver Symphony (USA), where she was named VSO’s inaugural Artist-In-Residence. In 2022, she released Volumes 2 and 3 of the complete Mozart Piano Sonatas. Her Mozart recording project also includes Volume 1 of the Piano Sonatas, and Piano Concertos with St. Louis Symphony all of which are part of her discography of a dozen titles on Canary Classics, Deutsche Gramophone, Sony, and other labels.

Orli Shaham is a Co-Host and Creative for the national radio program From the Top. She is on the piano and chamber music faculty at The Juilliard School and is chair of the board of trustees at Kaufman Music Center in New York.

Tickets are on sale now by clicking here or by calling (360) 735-7278.

• Following the continued popularity of the live stream for all symphonic concerts, the VSO will continue to offer the option of viewing the program live from home. Virtual-only tickets are available, and all in person ticket holders will have the option of viewing virtually.
• The Saturday performance at Skyview Concert Hall will begin at 7:00 pm, with the celebrated VSO pre-concert show Da Capo, hosted by VSO Podcast host Ashley Johnson and VSO trombonist Greg Scholl, airing only on the live stream at 6:30 pm. During intermission, the live-stream will feature special video programming. The Sunday performance will begin at 3:00 pm, with the virtual live stream programming beginning at 2:30 pm.
• All ticket holders will receive a secure email link in order to access the live-stream performances.
• Our tech support team will be on standby to assist you if you have any issues logging in during the performances.

About Salvador Brotons

Maestro Salvador Brotons returns for his 32nd season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the VSO. In addition to the VSO, he has been the Music Director and Conductor of the Orquestra Simfònica de les Illes Balears “Ciutat de Palma” (1997-2001, 2009-2013) and the Orquestra Sinfónica del Vallés (1997-2002). He is presently the Conductor of the Barcelona Symphonic Band. In 2005, he received the “Arts Council” award by the Clark County and The City of Vancouver as well as the Kiwanis Rose Award. He has guest conducted orchestras in countries such as the U.S., Israel, France, Germany, China, Poland, South Korea, Mexico, Uruguay, and Colombia.

About The VSO

The VSO, now in its 44th season, has been a cornerstone of Southwest Washington's arts community, providing symphony music of the highest caliber in live performances and through music education in schools, concert halls, and throughout the community.

About Our Sponsors

The VSO is generously supported by individual donors, The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, All Classical Portland, Oregon Public Broadcasting, The Community Foundation of Southwest Washington, CUSO at Columbia Credit Union, The Columbian, Dick Hannah Dealerships, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Koelsch Senior Communities, Opsahl Dawson CPAs, Clark Public Utilities, the Vancouver Innovation Center, Realvest Corporation, AC Hotel by Marriott, Riverview Bank, and Michelle’s Piano Co.