Our Spring 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. As permitted by the Public Health Orders, we are seating these concerts at full capacity.
Beethoven Symphonies No. 1 & 3
Saturday, January 22, 8:00 pm / Royal Theatre
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Beethoven, Symphony No. 1
Beethoven, Symphony No. 3
When VS had to cancel its “Beethoven 250 Celebration” mid-cycle in March, 2020 we vowed to recreate the opportunity as soon as possible. Under the baton of Maestro Kluxen, the orchestra explores the full range of Beethoven’s genius.
“Beethoven’s music has from the very beginning created a special bond between VS and myself. The week I was announced Music Director, I stepped in for a concert of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Prometheus Overture. Through the week, there was a certain electricity in the hall. Since then, it feels like we are able to come back to this same atmosphere, every time we play Beethoven. In other words, Beethoven has been a binding force for us. But his music is also a universal force. Every single one of his symphonies feels like they are both the beginning and the end; like all is new and as if every note is his last. This is how I believe that his music must be performed. Every note must be a new creation, show a way, comment on its surroundings and show us a bigger picture. Most of all Beethoven is the purest example of human struggle and final triumph. Beethoven is humanity.” – Christian Kluxen
Beethoven Symphonies No. 2 & 5
Sunday, January 23, 2:30 pm / Royal Theatre
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Beethoven, Symphony No. 2
Beethoven, Symphony No. 5
When VS had to cancel its “Beethoven 250 Celebration” mid-cycle in March, 2020 we vowed to recreate the opportunity as soon as possible. Under the baton of Maestro Kluxen, the orchestra explores the full range of Beethoven’s genius.
“Beethoven’s music has from the very beginning created a special bond between VS and myself. The week I was announced Music Director, I stepped in for a concert of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Prometheus Overture. Through the week, there was a certain electricity in the hall. Since then, it feels like we are able to come back to this same atmosphere, every time we play Beethoven. In other words, Beethoven has been a binding force for us. But his music is also a universal force. Every single one of his symphonies feels like they are both the beginning and the end; like all is new and as if every note is his last. This is how I believe that his music must be performed. Every note must be a new creation, show a way, comment on its surroundings and show us a bigger picture. Most of all Beethoven is the purest example of human struggle and final triumph. Beethoven is humanity.” – Christian Kluxen
Beethoven Symphonies No. 4 & 7
Saturday, January 29, 8:00 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Beethoven, Symphony No. 4
Beethoven, Symphony No. 7
When VS had to cancel its “Beethoven 250 Celebration” mid-cycle in March, 2020 we vowed to recreate the opportunity as soon as possible. Under the baton of Maestro Kluxen, the orchestra explores the full range of Beethoven’s genius.
“Beethoven’s music has from the very beginning created a special bond between VS and myself. The week I was announced Music Director, I stepped in for a concert of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Prometheus Overture. Through the week, there was a certain electricity in the hall. Since then, it feels like we are able to come back to this same atmosphere, every time we play Beethoven. In other words, Beethoven has been a binding force for us. But his music is also a universal force. Every single one of his symphonies feels like they are both the beginning and the end; like all is new and as if every note is his last. This is how I believe that his music must be performed. Every note must be a new creation, show a way, comment on its surroundings and show us a bigger picture. Most of all Beethoven is the purest example of human struggle and final triumph. Beethoven is humanity.” – Christian Kluxen
Beethoven Symphonies No. 6 & 8
Sunday, January 30, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Beethoven, Symphony No. 6
Beethoven, Symphony No. 8
When VS had to cancel its “Beethoven 250 Celebration” mid-cycle in March, 2020 we vowed to recreate the opportunity as soon as possible. Under the baton of Maestro Kluxen, the orchestra explores the full range of Beethoven’s genius.
“Beethoven’s music has from the very beginning created a special bond between VS and myself. The week I was announced Music Director, I stepped in for a concert of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Prometheus Overture. Through the week, there was a certain electricity in the hall. Since then, it feels like we are able to come back to this same atmosphere, every time we play Beethoven. In other words, Beethoven has been a binding force for us. But his music is also a universal force. Every single one of his symphonies feels like they are both the beginning and the end; like all is new and as if every note is his last. This is how I believe that his music must be performed. Every note must be a new creation, show a way, comment on its surroundings and show us a bigger picture. Most of all Beethoven is the purest example of human struggle and final triumph. Beethoven is humanity.” – Christian Kluxen
Mahler and Schumann – Being Robert Schuman Part III
Sunday, February 6, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Smith, Tableau (World Premiere)
Schumann, Symphony No. 2
Mahler, Rückert Songs
Schumann, Abendlied (Evening song) in D flat major
As the third event in our focus on Robert Schumann’s world, VS music director Christian Kluxen conducts Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. Described as being “overpowering in its wealth of expression” and of “balancing light and dark”, this work reveals the relationship in art between Schumann and Beethoven. Also on the program are Mahler’s Five songs for orchestra and mezzo-soprano based on poems written by Friedrich Rückert, and a new work by Canadian composer Linda Catlin Smith commissioned by VS with the support of the Hugh Davidson Fund and in collaboration with the Vancouver Symphony. This is the first concert in a series that pairs works by four diverse Canadian composers with one of Schumann’s four symphonies.
Saturday, February 12, 8:00 pm / Sunday, February 13, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
Celebrate the Maestro of the Movies himself, John Williams, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. John’s music has been the soundtrack of our lives and the Victoria Symphony will present some of his favorites like Star Wars, Harry Potter and E.T. along with some hidden gems from his vast catalog. Get ready to run away from dinosaurs, swim to safety from sharks and raise the Olympic torch in this unforgettable evening of music.
Celebrating John Williams! (Sunday)
Sunday, March 6, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Maestro Joey, conductor
Classical Kids Live, performers
Life gets a little noisy and a whole lot more interesting for young Christopher after a crabby, eccentric old man named Beethoven moves in upstairs. Young listeners will be touched by history, drama, music and fun as they come to understand the genius of Beethoven and the beauty of his music. Don’t miss this famous take by the one and only Classical Kids.
Richard-Hamelin Plays Beethoven
Saturday, March 12, 8:00 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Giordano Bellincampi, conductor
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano
Respighi, Trittico Botticelliano
Schubert, Symphony No. 4
Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 4
VS Audience favourite Maestro Bellincampi is back with a program of music featuring Schubert’s Symphony No. 4 and a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Described as a “highly sensitive” pianist (Gramophone), Charles Richard-Hamelin’s playing is recognized as “fluent, multifaceted, and tonally seductive” (BBC Music Magazine). In 2015, Charles received the Silver Medal at the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw and the Krystian Zimerman Prize for best performance of a sonata.
Saturday, March 26, 8:00 pm / Sunday, March 27, 2:30 pm / Royal Theatre
Sean O’Loughlin, conductor
Maria Millar, violin
A Juilliard trained violinist and Riverdance alumni, Maria Millar joins VS for a tour through the Emerald Isles with all things Irish. Ramble through misty moors and ancient castles of Ireland with foot-stomping ceilidhs of your favourite Celtic tunes including O’Danny Boy, Scotland the Brave and more.
Monday, April 4 , 8:00 pm / Royal Theatre
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Stewart Goodyear, piano
Barber, Souvenirs
Shostakovich, The Assault on Beautiful Gorky
R. Strauss, Adriadne auf Naxos: Overture and Dance Scene
Mozart, Marriage of Figaro: Overture
Shostakovich, Piano Concerto No. 2
The gifted Canadian pianist, Stewart Goodyear, has had a long and fruitful relationship with the Victoria Symphony. For this next collaboration with VS, he and music director Christian Kluxen offer an intriguing program including music by Barber, R. Strauss and Mozart that culminates in a performance of Shostakovich’s light-hearted and charming Piano Concerto No. 2. Written in 1957, four years after the death of Stalin. This work almost stands alone in Shostakovich’s output in its unrestrained joy and exuberance.
Sunday, April 10, 2:30 pm / Farquhar at UVic
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Timothy Chooi, violin
Schrecker, Ein Tanzspiel
Korngold, Violin Concerto in D Major
Brahms Symphony No. 3
Strauss, An der Schönen blauen Donau
Brahms Symphony No. 3 has long been considered by critics and other composers as a cornerstone of the symphonic repertoire. A balance of unifying form and romance, this symphony is Brahms at the summit of his expressive powers. Also included in this program is an opportunity to welcome Victoria trained and now internationally acclaimed violinist, Timothy Chooi, for a performance of Korngold’s wildly virtuosic and enthralling Violin Concerto in D major.
Chooi Plays Korngold (Sunday)
Saturday, April 30 , 8:00 pm / Christ Church Cathedral
Kathleen Allan, conductor
Victoria Children’s Choir
Handel, Coronation Anthems
Parry, I Was Glad
Elgar, Sursum corda for strings, brass and organ
VS joins forces with guest conductor, Kathleen Allan, the Victoria Children’s Choir, the Choristers of Christ Church Cathedral, and four vocal soloists for a thrilling performance of music written to celebrate British monarchs. Including Sir Charles H.H.Parry’s I Was Glad, that was most recently performed at the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William, and Handel’s majestic and joyful Coronation Anthems, this is music that will send a tingle down your spine.
Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles Abbey Road
Saturday, May 7, 8:00 pm / Sunday, May 8, 2:30 pm / Royal Theatre
Giuseppe Pietraroia, conductor
Classical Mystery Tour Artists
The four musicians in “Classical Mystery Tour” look and sound just like The Beatles, but Classical Mystery Tour is more than just a rock concert! The show presents more than two dozen Beatles tunes performed exactly as they were originally recorded. Hear Penny Lane with a live trumpet section, experience the beauty of Yesterday with an acoustic guitar and string quartet, enjoy the classical/rock blend on I Am the Walrus and relish the cascading crescendos on A Day in the Life. From early Beatles music on through the solo years, Classical Mystery Tour is the best of The Beatles like you’ve never heard them before.
Saturday, May 14, 8:00 pm / Sunday, May 15, 2:30 pm / Royal Theatre
Christian Kluxen, conductor
Alexandria Shiner, soprano
Megan Latham, alto
Andrew Haji, tenor
James Westman, baritone
Beethoven, Symphony No. 9
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 remains an unquestioned masterpiece for the ages, perhaps the most famous of the entire classical repertoire, celebrating humankind’s potential through a message of praise, passion and glory. A majestic season-ending celebration of music.
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.