Editor’s choice

Worlds collide at the ISCM World New Music Days

International Society for Contemporary Music programmer David Pay is relieved that we’re not going to force him to pick his favourite children from the acts on view during World New Music Days 2017, Thursday to Wednesday (November 2 to 8). We, though, have no such qualms. If time or money limits you to a single concert, make it the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra showcase: not only will you hear new works from Friedrich Heinrich Kern, Charlotte Bray, and VSO composer in residence Jocelyn Morlock, you’ll also be present for the world premiere of John Oliver and Mohamed Assani’s Pressed for Time, a concerto for sitar and orchestra with Assani in the soloist’s role. Worlds will collide—and combine, beautifully.

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is at the Orpheum on Sunday (November 5) as part of ISCM 2017.

High five

Five offbeat picks you can’t miss at ISCM this week Powell Street Festival Half-broken iPods in surround sound? Count us in! November 7 at the Orpheum Annex Question Notions Don’t miss the chance to see one of the world’s foremost—it’s true!—sewing-machine players. November 5 at the Orpheum Annex Biophilia Floral and faunal sounds create a strange old-growth world in this meditative installation. November 2 to 5 at the Western Front Riot John Korsrud’s musical response to the Stanley Cup mayhem. November 3 at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre Breeze Five music stands come eerily to life with motion sensors. November 2 to 8 at the Roundhouse