reviewvancouver: Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra, 95th anniversary

Last Sunday afternoon (May18) was an opportunity of the young musicians of the VYSO, their family members and music lovers in general to celebrate the 95th Anniversary Concert of the VYSO. The VYSO provides four streams that help future musicians advance to professional careers: Debut, Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The first half of the concert was dedicated to the two younger groups, while the second half gave the senior students a chance to shine.

Appropriately, the afternoon program began with the Coast Salish Anthem. It was originally attributed to Tseil wau-tuth Nation’s Chief Dan George as a prayer song while he waited for his younger brother to return safely from a hunting trip. This was immediately followed by the singing of O Canada.

The Debut Orchestra under the baton of Maestra Nadia Petriw performed Jay-Martin Pinner’s Downtown Suite for Strings. It’s a delightful, yet simple piece in three movements and ideal for young musicians starting their musical journey.

The Junior Orchestra took the stage with Maestro Rick Dorfer on the podium for Toronto-born Harry Somers’ Little Suite for String Orchestra. Similarly to the Downtown Suite, a short three-movement work that is an excellent choice to introduce students of ten years-old-plus to a multi-movement suite at the developing strings level.

Bringing the first half to a glorious close, the Debut and Junior Orchestras combined on a crowded stage for Jean Sibelius’ Andante Festivo and an excerpt from English film music composer John Powell ‘s How to Train your Dragon soundtrack. The latter offering some robust percussion.

After a short intermission, it was the turn of the Intermediate Orchestra led by Maestro Jin Zhang in the 4th movement of Dvorák's New World Symphony. I’ve heard this work on many recordings, but this reading is as fine as I’ve heard played live for quite a while. This was Maestro Zhang’s final season with the VYSO. His commitment and contribution over many years was acknowledged by Jessica Chan, board president with an award.

The final group of young musicians to take their place on the Orpheum stage were the Senior Orchestra. Under the baton of VYSO Artistic Director Maestro Jonathan Girard, the orchestra performed Oskar Morawetz’s vigorous Carnival Overture – the second overture of the afternoon’s concert (first was The Speckled Hen Overture). Written eighty years ago, the work comprises Czech motifs (Czechoslovakia was Morawetz’s birthplace) are wonderfully accentuated by the orchestra.

A special treat for the appreciative audience was having guest soloist Joanna G’froerer perform Otar Gordeli’s Flute Concerto. A native Vancouverite, Ms. G’froerer is principle flutist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. The Georgian composer’s Flute Concerto is a delightful example of melodic composition. Ms. G’froerer brings out the subtle jazz inflections reminiscent of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

The final piece of this thoroughly entertaining concert was the late Bramwell Tovey’s Sky Chase, a piece specially written for the VYSO. Performed by both the Intermediate and Senior orchestras in combination under the direction of Maestro Girard, it was a fitting tribute to the VSO’s former beloved music director.