Star Guest Conductor Gerard Schwarz to Lead Vancouver Symphony USA at April Concert
The concert also features virtuoso cellist Julian Schwarz
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA’s 2022/23 season continues with special father and son guests Maestro Gerard Schwarz and internationally recognized cellist Julian Schwarz on April 22-23 at Skyview Concert Hall. Maestro Schwarz will lead the VSO in a program of all American composers, including George Gershwin, Samuel Jones, Valerie Coleman, Howard Hanson, and Gerard Schwarz himself. Julian Schwarz will perform the solo in Jones’s Cello Concerto and Gerard Schwarz’s In Memoriam.
The April program features Gershwin’s timeless classic An American in Paris. First performed in 1928, the work was inspired by the composer’s time in Paris during the Années folles. The work went on to be adapted along with many other Gershwin compositions into the popular Gene Kelly film of the same name in 1951. Hanson’s Symphony No. 2, also titled “Romantic,” was written for the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1930, and has been influential to many Hollywood film scores. Maestro Schwarz notably recorded this work with the Seattle Symphony in 1989.
Another program highlight is Samuel Jones’s Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra, which was premiered in 2010 and featured Julian Schwarz on the solo. Written to honor Maestro Gerard Schwarz’s 26-year tenure with the Seattle Symphony, Gavin Borchert of Seattle Weekly called it, "[…] packed with ideas and generous with tunes; darker rather than lighter in mood; richly orchestrated but never overwhelming as a frame and complement to the soloist."
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 Gerard Schwarz
Internationally recognized for his moving performances, innovative programming and extensive catalogue of recordings, American conductor Gerard Schwarz serves as Music Director of the All-Star Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival, Palm Beach Symphony and Mozart Orchestra of New York, and is Conductor Laureate of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Emeritus of the Mostly Mozart Festival. He is Distinguished Professor of Music; Conducting and Orchestral Studies of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and Music Director of the Frost Symphony Orchestra.
His considerable discography of over 350 albums showcases his collaborations with some of the world’s greatest orchestras including The Philadelphia Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Tokyo Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, New York Chamber Symphony and Seattle Symphony Orchestra among others. In 2017 The Gerard Schwarz Collection, a 30-CD box set of previously unreleased or limited release works spanning his entire recording career was released by Naxos.
About Julian Schwarz
Julian Schwarz was born to a multigenerational musical family in 1991. Heralded from a young age as a cellist destined to rank among the greatest of the 21st century, Julian’s powerful tone, effortless virtuosity, and extraordinarily large color palette are hallmarks of his style.
After making his concerto debut at the age of 11 with the Seattle Symphony and his father Gerard Schwarz on the podium, he made his US touring debut with the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2010. Since being awarded first prize at the inaugural Schoenfeld International String Competition in 2013, he has led an active career as soloist, performing with the symphony orchestras of Annapolis, Boise, Bozeman, Buffalo, Charlotte, Columbus, Des Moines, Hartford, Jacksonville, Louisville, Memphis, Modesto, Omaha, Puerto Rico, Richmond, Rochester, San Antonio, Sarasota, Seattle, Syracuse, Toledo, Tucson, Virginia, West Virginia, Wichita, and Winston-Salem, among others. Internationally, he made his Australian debut with the Queensland Symphony, his Mexican debuts with the Boca del Rio Philharmonic in Veracruz and the Mexico City Philharmonic with frequent collaborator Jorge Mester, and his Hong Kong debut at the Intimacy of Creativity Festival. He has also appeared at the Salzburg Mozarteum, and the Verbier festival in Switzerland.
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.
Tickets
- Free with the season subscription
- Available online or by calling (360) 735-7278
- All current season ticket holders will receive a secure individualized email link in order to access live-stream of the performances
- Single tickets to view the live-stream are on sale now. A secure individualized email link will be emailed to each single ticket buyer.
- Our tech support team will be on standby to assist you if you have any issues logging in during the performances.
How to View the Concert
Viewing the online concert is very easy.
- Purchase tickets to receive link to secure online concert page and password.
- When it is time for the concert login to the live streaming event page and view the concert from anywhere with a computer and an internet connection.
DOWNLOAD CONCERT PROGRAM HERE
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VSO Pre-Show
The 2022-2023 Concert Season welcomes back the critically acclaimed video series from the VSO! Hosted by Greg Scholl and Ashley Johnson, this exciting pre-show will broadcast on the VSO concert live stream 30 minutes before the concert performance. Full of fascinating information about the repertoire and plenty of laughs, you won’t want to miss it!
Ashley Johnson
Ashley Johnson has been with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra since October of 2019. Since December of 2019 she has been the host and producer of The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Podcast, interviewing prominent VSO figures and guests as well as sharing past VSO performances in the special series VSO Encore. Ashley graduated from Western Washington University in 2013 with a degree in English Literature, and has been active in the Vancouver arts community for over 15 years. She was formerly the music director for the Young Slocum House Players in 2011, and was on the Board of Pacific Stageworks Theater Company from 2019-2023.
Outside of saying flowery things about recordings of classical music Ashley produces a film podcast, acts and sings in community theater productions, and plays nerdy tabletop games with her husband Will Johnson (the superhero who keeps Skyview Concert Hall running). It’s also rumored that she’s the girl who answers the phone when you call the VSO office, but none can say for certain.
Greg Scholl
Greg Scholl has played trombone in the VSO since 1993 - he became principal trombone in 1995. He is also principal trombone in the Portland Columbia Symphony and the Newport Symphony. Greg also plays locally in the Portland Brass Quintet and the Portland Festival Symphony. He has performed with the Oregon Ballet Theater, the Oregon Symphony, the Portland Opera, the Salem Chamber Orchestra, the Portland Chamber Orchestra, the Portland Symphonic Choir, the Willamette Master Chorus, and the Portland Gay Men's Chorus. He has performed with the Oregon Repertory Singers and the Portland Symphonic Choir. Greg was formerly second trombone in the Austin Lyric Opera.
Greg is the trombone and low brass instructor at Pacific University. He obtained a trombone performance degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Donald Knaub. Prior to that he studied with Peter Kline and David Brown in San Antonio, TX. Greg plays in the Portland modern jazz duo Dos Hermanos de Hale Bopp. He also plays guitar and trombone in a variety of styles with local bands and performers such as the Rhythm Dogs, Goombahttsi, and Elvis Presley Tribute Artist Justin Shandor.
After rejecting the millions of dollars people offered him to play the trombone, Greg obtained a law degree in 1995 from Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law. During most business days he can be found practicing law as the director of the capital case team at the Metropolitan Public Defender. He enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, reading, camping and hiking, collecting things like Conan the Barbarian comic books, LP records, and concert recordings of the Grateful Dead, and being married to incredible principal bassoonist Margaret McShea. Their son Ben is now in college - he was practically raised at VSO rehearsals back in the day.