Arts Choices

One need only glance at the calendars of local music presenters to find proof that Johann Sebastian Bach remains one of the world's most popular composers. Everyone from Early Music Vancouver and the Vancouver Recital Society to Music on Main is delving into the great baroque genius's musical canon. Not that there's anything wrong with that; his music's been around for more than 300 years, and I'd wager it will still be packing in audiences in 2309.

Brian Mix
  March 10 at the Cellar Restaurant/Jazz Club
Local freelance cellist Brian Mix played the first three of Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello last year; this time he's tackling the fourth and fifth, in the decidedly unstuffy venue of a jazz club, courtesy of Music on Main.
The Draw: Booze, bites, and Bach.
Target Audience: Poor music lovers who couldn't afford tickets to Yo-Yo Ma.

Requiem for Peace
  March 14 at the Orpheum Theatre
All this talk of Afghanistan, Iraq, and North Korea got you down? Local composer Larry Nickel's Requiem for Peace was written as a global call for reconciliation, with text in 12 languages. The Vancouver Bach Choir will present it, alongside Echo, a new composition for chorus and orchestra by Amir Koushkani. It won't bring the troops home, but the concert might help you stop fretting about them for an evening.
The Draw: The message “Give peace a chance” just never gets old.
Target Audience: Aging hippies who are thrilled we're finally in the Age of Aquarius.

Bach Reconstructed
  March 21 at St. Augustine's Church, March 22 at West Vancouver United Church
Long before computers, Bach was cutting, pasting, and rejigging his music for various combinations of instruments. In fact, he did it so often that few of his original arrangements survive. Guest leader and harpsichordist Alexander Weimann, oboist Washington McClain, and violinist Chloe Meyers join the Pacific Baroque Orchestra to play reconstructions of what Bach's original tunes might have sounded like.
The Draw: The opportunity to gain new insight into Bach's genius.
Target Audience: Baroque die-hards who think vibrato is for sissies.

David Daniels
 March 22 at the Chan Centre
One of the world's most acclaimed singers, David Daniels has helped revive the popularity of the countertenor, proving that the upper register isn't just for dames. In this Vancouver Recital Society Early Music Vancouver copresentation, his rich voice will be accompanied by the highly regarded English Consort chamber orchestra in a performance of works by Bach and George Frederick Handel.
The Draw: Whether it's attached to a man or a woman, a voice like this isn't to be missed.
Target Audience: Picked-on boy sopranos who need a boost of confidence.

Joshua Bell
 April 17 at the Orpheum Theatre
He may have famously been ignored when he busked in a Washington, D.C., metro station two years ago as part of an experiment organized by the Washington Post, but Joshua Bell is recognized worldwide as one of the greatest living violinists. There's no reason to pass him by when he plays Edouard Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
The Draw: Seeing Bell in a proper concert hall, instead of in grainy YouTube videos of his busking misadventures.
Target Audience: Music snobs who like to think they'd never dis a genius musician at a SkyTrain station.

Salome
  May 2 to 9 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Filled with dark eroticism, Richard Strauss's opera Salome has been titillating audiences for over a century now, and for good reason. Where else will you find a bewitching seductress dancing provocatively for her horny stepfather, then demanding the head of John the Baptist in return? You might want to think twice before bringing the kids to this one.
The Draw: Five words: Dance of the Seven Veils.
Target Audience: Members of Metro Vancouver Kink.

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Bach
 May 12 at the Chan Centre
He's been stepping outside the traditional classical world, collaborating with the likes of Dave Brubeck, Alison Krauss, and James Taylor. But in this Vancouver Recital Society concert, Yo-Yo Ma returns to the pure basics, with a performance of Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello.
The Draw: Seeing a master of the cello perform what many regard as the most significant works ever written for the instrument.
Target Audience: Those who were quick enough on the draw to snap up tickets; they sold out months ago.

Spring Arts | Music Arts

Caravan World Rhythms • LO COR DE LA PLANA Mar. 26, Christ Church Cathedral • RAVI SHANKAR May 16, Orpheum Theatre. Tickets: $24-71, info 778-886-8908, www.caravanbc.com/

Centennial Theatre • ESCAPE TO IRELAND AND BEYOND Mar. 1 • HARMONIES OF HOPE Mar. 3 • INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA CONCERTO WINNERS CONCERT Mar. 7 • THE NSVD HONOUR BAND AND HONOUR STRING ORCHESTRA WITH THE VSO Mar. 11 • STRINGENDO Mar. 12 • MOHSEN NAMJOO SOLO Mar. 14 • ODE TO JOY Mar. 21. • THE TAKANAWADAI BRASS BAND Mar. 22 • NORTH SHORE CLASSICS Mar. 23 • NELSON FREIRE Apr. 23 • THREE IRANIAN SOPRANOS May 15 • CJ LIVE IN CONCERT May 23 • PERSIAN MUSIC May 31. Tickets: free-$50, info 604-984-4484, www.centennialtheatre.com/

Chan Centre for the Performing Arts • THE KLEZMATICS WITH JOSHUA NELSON Feb. 28 • AT HOME Mar. 13 & 15 • PLANETFUL OF SOUND Mar. 14 • SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE Mar. 17 • DAVID DANIELS, HARRY BICKET, AND THE ENGLISH CONCERT Mar. 22 • TANDAVA Mar. 22 • LIVING TOYS Apr. 17 • MARIZA Apr. 18 • ANGELIKA KIRCHSCHLAGER AND MALCOLM MARTINEAU Apr. 21 • PLAY BALL May 3. Tickets: $10-94.50 at www.ticketmaster.ca/ or 604-280-3311. Info 604-822-2697, www.chancentre.com/

Chor Leoni Men’s Choir • MEETIN’ HERE TONIGHT Mar. 21, Shaughnessy Heights United Church • NO STRINGS ATTACHED Jun. 15, 22, 29, Vanier Park. Tickets: $23-33, info 604-999-6153, www.chorleoni.org/

Early Music Vancouver • CELEBRATING MENDELSSOHN Feb. 27, Unity Church • BACH’S SIX BRANDENBURG CONCERTOS Mar. 11, Orpheum Theatre • DAVID DANIELS, HARRY BICKET, AND THE ENGLISH CONCERT Mar. 22, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts • QUATUOR MOSAIQUES Apr. 21, Vancouver Playhouse • LA SULTANE May 1, Unity Church. Tickets: $10-65. Info 604-732-1610, www.earlymusic.bc.ca/

Elektra Women’s Choir • TAPESTRY INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S CHOIRS to Mar. 1, Ryerson United Church; Christ Church Cathedral • READING SESSION OF NEW COMPOSITIONS FOR WOMEN’S CHOIR Mar. 30, Ryerson United Church • FROM THE HEART May 31, Ryerson United Church. Tickets free-$30 at www.ticketmaster.ca/. Subscriptions: $50-65, info 604-739-1255, www.elektra.ca/

Erato Ensemble All performances at St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church except where noted. • RULE BRITANNIA! Mar. 17, Silk Purse Arts Centre, West Vancouver • AN EVENING WITH ERIK SATIE Mar. 28, St. Andrew’s–Wesley Church • TANGOS, BALLADS, Y BOLEROS May 16, St. Andrew’s–Wesley Church. Tickets: $10-20 at www.ticketstonight.ca/, info 604-986-0724, www.eratoensemble.com/

Friends of Chamber Music All performances at the Vancouver Playhouse. • ALTENBERG TRIO Mar. 10 • EMERSON STRING QUARTET Apr. 14 • QUATUOR MOSAIQUES Apr. 21. Tickets: $35-40, info 604-437-5747, www.friendsofchambermusic.ca/

Kay Meek Centre • MUSIC OF THE AMERICAS Mar. 10 • THE BAD PLUS Mar. 11 • THE ROCK ’N ROLL LEGENDS Mar. 12 • MUSICALLY SPEAKING: CHOPIN POLONAISES Mar. 13 • CATRINA CENTANNI Mar. 13 • ARABELLA STEINBACHER & ROBERT KULEK Mar. 15 • A FESTIVAL OF CHINESE MUSIC Mar. 21 • SPRING CELEBRATION Mar. 22 • MUSICALLY SPEAKING: SOUVENIR FROM VIENNA Apr. 24 • AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 MINUTES May 3 • PACIFIC SYMPHONY WIND ENSEMBLE: FILM MUSIC May 15. Tickets: $7.50-46, info 604-913-3634, www.kaymeekcentre.com/

Laudate Singers • VOICE OF THE TANGO Mar. 21, St. David’s United Church, West Vancouver; Mar. 24, Capilano University Performing Arts Theatre, North Vancouver • VIVA VIVALDI May 22, St. David’s United Church, West Vancouver. Tickets: $20-25. Info 604-222-3158, www.laudatesingers.com/

Music in the Morning All performances held at the Vancouver Academy of Music except where noted. • ISACOFF & HARRISON Mar. 17-20 • A TOUCH OF BRASS Mar. 26, Vancouver Art Gallery • BARRY SHIFFMAN & MUSICIANS FROM THE BANFF CENTRE Apr. 1 • LEON FLEISHER Apr. 21-24 • PLAY BALL! May 3, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets: $14-30, info 604-873-4612, www.musicinthemorning.org/

Music on Main Main Series, Heritage Hall: • JAMES HILL Apr. 30. Tickets: $15-25. A Month of Tuesdays, Cellar Jazz Club: • THE NU:BC COLLECTIVE Mar. 3 • BRIAN MIX Mar. 10 • HEATHER PAWSEY, AK COOPE, & LESLIE UYEDA Mar. 24 • ROBYN DRIEDGER-KLASSEN Mar. 31. Cover charge: $15. Louis Andriessen @ 70 Festival: • M IS FOR MAN, MUSIC, MOZART Apr. 5, Roundhouse Community Centre • THE RUSQUARTET Apr. 6, Heritage Hall • THE COLIN MACDONALD POCKET ORCHESTRA Apr. 6, Heritage Hall • TURNING POINT ENSEMBLE Apr. 7, Heritage Hall • LOUIS ANDRIESSEN Apr. 7, Heritage Hall • ONE NIGHT STAND Apr. 8, Heritage Hall. Tickets and info 604-231-7535, www.musiconmain.ca/

Musica Intima • AT HOME Mar. 13 & 15, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts • SONIC BOOM Mar. 21, the Western Front • THIS AMAZING DAY Apr. 17, Christ Church Cathedral; Apr. 18, St. Philip's Anglican Church • EVENSONG May 24, St. Philip's Anglican Church. Tickets: $10-30, info 604-731-6618, www.musicaintima.org/

Pacific Baroque Orchestra • BACH RECONSTRUCTED Mar. 21, St. Augustine’s Church; Mar. 22, West Vancouver United Church, West Vancouver • 17TH CENTURY GERMANY: BUXTEHUDE AND THE BOYS May 9, St. Augustine’s Church; May 10, West Vancouver United Church, West Vancouver. Tickets: $12-28, all performances free for youth under 19, info 604-215-0406, www.pacificbaroque.com/

Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble • MOVING PICTURES May 9, Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam; May 16, Kay Meek Centre, West Vancouver. Tickets and info www.pswe.ca/

Phoenix Chamber Choir • THE ROAD TO SANTIAGO May 30, Shaughnessy Heights United Church. Tickets: $10-25, info 604-584-4755, www.phoenixchamberchoir.bc.ca/

UBC Music All performances at the UBC School of Music Recital Hall, except where noted. • VERDI’S FALSTAFF Mar. 5-8, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts • TWO + TWO Mar. 15 • BOREALIS STRING QUARTET Mar. 21 • SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS CONCERT Mar. 22 • RETROSAXIVE Mar. 29 • OPERA TEAS IN THE GARDEN Apr. 5 & 26, UBC Botanical Gardens • BACCALAUREATE CONCERT May 20, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets: free-$25, info 604-822-5574, www.music.ubc.ca/

Vancouver Bach Choir All performances at the Orpheum Theatre. • LARRY NICKEL’S REQUIEM FOR PEACE Mar. 14 • LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS May 8. Tickets: $19.25-43.75. Subscriptions available, info 604-921-8012, www.vancouverbachchoir.com/

Vancouver Cantata Singers • VOICES IN MOTION, BODIES THAT SING Mar. 17-19, Roundhouse Community Centre. Tickets: $24-30, info 604-730-8856, www.vancouvercantatasingers.com/

Vancouver Chamber Choir • WEST MEETS EAST Mar. 20 & 22, Ryerson United Church • DURUFLE REQUIEM Apr. 10, Orpheum Theatre • YOUTH & MUSIC May 1, Ryerson United Church. Tickets: $10-44.75 (plus service charges and fees) at www.ticketmaster.ca/, info 604-738-6822, www.vancouverchamberchoir.com/

Vancouver Chopin Society • NELSON FREIRE Apr. 23, Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver. Tickets: $35-45, info 604-871-4450, www.chopinsociety.org/

Vancouver East Cultural Centre • LEELA GILDAY Apr. 10 & 11 • WE WERE HERE Apr. 7-11 • GO WEST Apr. 18 • DUPLEX! May 7, 9, 10 • VEDA HILLE May 8 & 9. Tickets: $9-30. Subscriptions $57-69, info 604-251-1363, www.thecultch.com/

Vancouver New Music • IVES ENSEMBLE Mar. 5, Scotiabank Dance Centre • ENSEMBLE SUPERMUSIQUE Mar. 12, Scotiabank Dance Centre • SILVIA MANDOLINI & BRIGITTE POULIN Mar. 19, Scotiabank Dance Centre • IANNIS XENAKIS’ KRAANERG Apr. 3, Christ Church Cathedral. Tickets: $15-30, info 604-633-0861, www.newmusic.org/

Vancouver Opera All performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. • RIGOLETTO Mar. 7–17 • SALOME May 2-9. Tickets and info 604-683-0222, www.vancouveropera.ca/

Vancouver Recital Society All performances at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts except where noted. • DAXUN ZHANG & INON BARNATAN Mar. 1, Vancouver Playhouse • ARABELLA STEINBACHER & ROBERT KULEK Mar. 15, Kay Meek Centre, West Vancouver • DAVID DANIELS, HARRY BICKET, & THE ENGLISH CONCERT Mar. 22 • YEVGENY SUDBIN Apr. 5 • MARTIN FROST, ROLAND PONTINEN, & SVANTE HENRYSON Apr. 17 • JERUSALEM QUARTET & MARTIN FROST Apr. 19 • ANGELIKA KIRCHSCHLAGER & MALCOLM MARTINEAU Apr. 21 • XUEFEI YANG Apr. 26, Vancouver Playhouse • YO-YO MA May 12. Subscriptions available, tickets at www.ticketmaster.ca/, info 604-602-0363, www.vanrecital.com/

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra All performances at the Orpheum Theatre, except where noted. • ELGAR & RACHMANINOFF WITH KYOKO TAKEZAWA Feb. 28; Mar. 2 • MUSICAL TALES FROM VIENNA Mar. 5 • ALLEN VIZZUTTI WITH THE VSO Mar. 6 & 7 • THE REBEL Mar. 20, Roundhouse Community Centre • THE MAGNIFICENT MUSIC OF BACH AND HAYDN Mar. 20 & 21, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts; Mar. 23, Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver • SIMONYAN PLAYS RAVEL & CHAUSSON Mar. 28 & 29 • JUDY COLLINS Mar. 30 • THE BEST OF BAROQUE Apr. 2 • STAY TUNED Apr. 3 & 4 • JOSHUA BELL WITH THE VSO Apr. 17 • INGRID FLITER PLAYS CHOPIN Apr. 18 & 20 • RACHMANINOFF, DEBUSSY, & STRAVINSKY Apr. 25, 26, 27 • GAVRYLYUK PLAYS TCHAIKOVSKY May 9, Orpheum Theatre; May 11, Bell Performing Arts Centre, Surrey • MUSIC OF THE MASTER: WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART May 15 & 16, Chan Centre for the Performing Arts; May 17, Orpheum Theatre • THAT WAS THEN, THESE ARE NOW May 17, Roundhouse Community Centre • MUSICAL FIREWORKS May 21 • A GERSHWIN CELEBRATION May 22 & 23 • MOZART & PROKOFIEV May 30 & Jun. 1 • MAHLER’S TITANIC Jun. 6 & 8 • FLICKA AND RAMEY Jun. 11 • CARMINA BURANA! Jun. 13 & 15. Tickets: $15-165. Subscriptions available, info 604-876-3434, www.vancouversymphony.ca/

Vetta Chambers Music • L’HISTOIRE DU DIABLE ET LA VIOLINISTE Apr. 3, West Point Grey United Church • LANDOLFI FINALE May 21, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, West Vancouver; May 22, West Point Grey United Church. Tickets: $12-25, info 604-430-9527, www.vettamusic.com/

Western Front New Music • ZBIGNIEW KARKOWSKI & ATSUKO NOJIRI & THE RITA Feb. 27 • THE MAHADEVIBOT SESSIONS KARMETIK COLLECTIVE Mar. 13 • BOB WISEMAN AND COLLAPSING OPPOSITES Mar. 27. Tickets: $10-15, info 604-876-9343, www.front.bc.ca/