Our Fall Season has been designed to reflect the vibrancy, diversity, and creativity of our beloved musicians, our Music Director Christian Kluxen and our Principal Pops Conductor Sean O’Loughlin.
Single Tickets are available. Limited seating and social distancing in effect until the end of November, 2021.
Schubert Symphony No. 9 – Kluxen’s Return
Sunday, September 19, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Schubert, Symphony No. 9 in C major (The Great)
For his long-awaited return, VS Music Director, Christian Kluxen leads Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C major. Known as The Great, this work is strongly linked to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, which was given its premiere the year before, in 1825. Despite explicitly acknowledging Beethoven’s influence by quoting the famous Ode to Joy theme, Schubert’s own uniquely powerful voice demonstrates why he was daring enough to endure direct comparison with such a towering cultural figure.
Sunday, September 26, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Mahler (arr. Simon), Symphony No. 9 in D major (arr. for chamber orchestra)
One of the most beloved symphonies of all time, Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 was his last completed work. Alban Berg believed that “ the first movement is the most glorious he ever wrote. It expresses an extraordinary love of the earth, for Nature. The longing to live on it in peace, to enjoy it completely, to the very heart of one’s being, before death comes”. For this performance, music director Christian Kluxen leads the VS in the celebrated chamber version by Klaus Simon. Other than the reduction in forces, Simon’s arrangement neither omits nor alters anything in Mahler’s score.
NOW! Contemporary Canadian Voices
Saturday, October 2, 8:00 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Giuseppe Pietraroia, conductor
Vern Griffiths, percussion
Lizée, Perxploitation
Morlock, Disquiet
Goddard, Live Wire (World Premiere)
Nurulla-Khoja, Gusto
Vancouver superstar percussionist, Vern Griffiths, joins VS Associate Conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia and the VS for a program of outstanding and groundbreaking new works by Canadian composers. Nicole Lizée’s Perxploitation is a concerto for percussion of mind-boggling virtuosity. Performing in a sea of percussion instruments and in front of projected film of past great drummers and artists, Vern never misses a beat. This program also includes the world premiere of Marcus Goddard’s Live Wire commissioned for the VS with the help of the Hugh Davidson Foundation, as well as works by Jocelyn Morlock and Farangis Nurulla-Khoja.
Thursday, October 21, 8:00 pm / Friday, October 22, 8:00 pm / Christ Church Cathedral
Terence Tam, leader
Vivaldi, Concerto grosso in B minor
Rautavaara, The Fiddlers
Locatelli, Concerto grosso in F major
Wagner (arr. Tønnesen), From Tristan and Isolde: Prelude
Piazzolla (arr. Desyatnikov), Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Come celebrate the vibrant violins of the Victoria Symphony! Concertmaster Terence Tam leads a program dedicated to showcasing the incredible virtuosity of the VS violin section. Eight violin soloists will perform in two unusual concertos written for four violins by Vivaldi and Locatelli. Also featured will be the Victoria premiere of the charming folk suite The Fiddlers by Finnish composer Rautavaara. As a finale, Tam performs the brilliant and sultry tango music of Piazzolla in The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.
Haydn Symphonies – Morning, Noon, and Night
Friday, October 29, 8:00 pm / Saturday, October 30, 8:00 pm / Christ Church Cathedral
Alexander Weimann, conductor and harpsicord
Haydn, Symphony No. 6 in D major (Le matin)
Haydn, Symphony No. 7 in C major (Le midi)
Haydn, Symphony No. 8 in G major (Le soir)
This trilogy of early Haydn symphonies is inspired by the different times of day – Morning, Noon, and Evening. Written shortly after he signed his contract with the Esterházy court in May of 1761, these seminal and delightful works marked the start of one of the most prolific situations of musical patronage in all of music history, lasting almost exactly 30 years. Haydn’s long-time patron, Prince Esterházy, spent time in Naples and came back with a personal collection of scores including Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. It has been suggested that the Prince mentioned to Haydn that he should compose a similar set of pieces but inspired by the different times of the day. Regular VS collaborator and Music Director of the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Alexander Weimann, leads from the harpsichord.
Saturday, November 6, 2:30 pm and 8:00 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
Lorraine Min, piano
Journey into the world of Tin Pan Alley as we open our Pops season. Gershwin’s music has been delighting audiences for over a century and the Victoria Symphony is set to dive into his endearing music. Along with works by such influences as Ravel and Debussy, the program concludes with a special performance of Rhapsody in Blue featuring Victoria favorite Lorraine Min on piano.
Sunday, November 7, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Maestro Joey, conductor
Mighty Maestro returns to take you on a tour of the instruments in the orchestra to discover magical music musicians create. Join us for a fun, interactive journey through the world of the orchestra and don’t forget to come dressed as your favourite superhero!
Brahms Serenade No.2 – Being Robert Schumann
Friday, November 12, 8:00 pm / Christ Church Cathedral
Gordon Gerrard, conductor
Elisabeth Pion, piano
Robert Schumann, Hermann & Dorothea: Overture
Morlock, Nostalgia
Clara Schumann, Piano Concerto in A minor
Brahms, Serenade No. 2 in A major
The relationship between Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann (née Wieck), and Johannes Brahms has become the subject of much speculation over the years. This first in a series of three connected concerts exploring the life and works of Robert Schumann provides a glimpse into this musical love triangle. The Victoria Symphony welcomes young Canadian pianist, Elisabeth Pion, to play Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor. The program ends with Brahms’ warm and gracious Serenade No. 2 in A major.
Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony – Being Robert Schumann (Part II)
Sunday, November 21, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Mélanie Léonard, conductor
Schumann (arr. Ravel), Carnaval
Felix Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4 in A major (Italian)
Hétu, Symphonie No. 3
Brahms, Liebeslieder Waltzes (orchestral version)
Fanny Mendelssohn, Overture in C major
For this second concert in a three-part exploration of the life and circle of Robert Schumann, young French-Canadian conductor, Mélanie Léonard, leads the VS in a program built around Felix Mendelssohn’s beloved Symphony No. 4 in A major (Italian). Also on the program, Fanny Mendelssohn’s sparkling Overture in C major.
Saturday, December 11, 8:00 pm / Sunday, December 12, 2:30 pm / Royal Theatre
Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
David Curry, tenor
Join Victoria Symphony as we ring in the holiday season. Acclaimed vocalist David Curry returns to Victoria to bring the holiday cheer and more. Featuring such favorites as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, and It’s a Wonderful Life, it really will be wonderful to celebrate this annual holiday tradition once more!
*Please note there will be no social distancing for this concert. The capacity is 100% of the Royal Theatre venue.
Saturday, December 18, 8:00 pm / Sunday, December 19, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Ivars Taurins, conductor
Hélène Brunet, soprano / Meg Bragle, alto / Aaron Sheehan, tenor / Brett Polegato, baritone
J.S. Bach, Christmas Oratorio (Excerpts)
Handel, Messiah (Excerpts)
Handel and Bach join hands for a festive programme featuring their most iconic works for the season. Join guest director Ivars Taurins from Tafelmusik, VS, and a wonderful cast of soloists for the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah, and excerpts from J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.
*Please note there will be no social distancing for this concert. The capacity is 100% of the Farquhar at UVic.
Saturday, January 1, 2:30 pm / Royal Theatre
Giuseppe Pietraroia, conductor
Lara Ciekiewicz, soprano / Owen McCausland, tenor / Ballet Victoria
Start the New Year off right with lively and nostalgic music of the family of Johann Strauss and his contemporaries. Lara Cieciewicz and Owen McCausland join dancers from Ballet Victoria for this afternoon of music, dance and song.
*Please note there will be no social distancing for this concert. The capacity is 100% of the Royal Theatre venue.
620 View Street, Suite 610
Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 1J6
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-12pm & 1-4pm, except holidays.
The Victoria Symphony performs on the traditional lands of the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. We extend our respect as well as our appreciation for this opportunity.