It feels like things are returning, if not quite to normal, at least to a rich mix of live and hybrid events.
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The Nutcracker: Tchaikovsky meets Ellington
When: December 15, 8 p.m.
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Or: Chan Shun Concert Hall, 6265 Crescent Rd., At UBC.
Tickets and info: symphonie21.ca
Music for the winter solstice
When: December 15-16, 7:30 p.m.
Or: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street
Tickets and info: musiconmain.ca
Festive Cantatas: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
When: December 16, 7:30 p.m.
Or: Chan Shun Concert Hall, 6265 Crescent Rd., At UBC.
Tickets and info: ancient music.bc.ca
The four seasons of Vivaldi
When: Dec 17-18, 8 p.m.
Or: Chan Shun Concert Hall, 6265 Crescent Rd., At UBC.
Tickets and info: vancouversymphony.ca
It’s December, which means a full schedule of upcoming holiday music events to consider.
Most live performances fizzled out last year as extreme caution became the order of the day. Now it feels like things are returning, if not quite to normal, at least to a rich mix of live and hybrid events.
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Safety standards are still a bit of an issue, as individual venues consider their particular policies regarding refreshments during concerts, limited capacity, etc. But with that note of caution, there are plenty of choices in the coming days. Here are some highlights:
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra returns to offering performances of its traditional family-oriented Christmas show in the suburbs, then downtown at the Orpheum. There will be nine performances in all between December 1 and 19. The suburban shows will take place at 50% of their capacity; the remaining trio of performances at the Orpheum must be capped at 60% of its capacity.
The VSO’s holiday treat for hardcore classics fans will be two performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, conducted by violinist Lara St. John, at Chan Center on Friday and Saturday, December 17 and 18, at 8 p.m. ET. It will be a bit shorter than the usual concert (90 minutes long), and like at the Orpheum, the plan is to limit attendance to 60 percent of capacity.
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In recent seasons, Music on Main by David Pay has developed a winning formula for concerts with Music for the Winter Solstice. This year there will be a pair of live concerts at the grand Old Heritage Hall on Main on 15th Avenue on Wednesday and Thursday December 15 and 16 at 7:30 PM. Featured artists include Veda Hille, Patsy Klein, Lucien Durey and Nicholas Krgovich, vocals, with Chloe Kim, violin, and Julia Chien, vibraphone. As in years past, listeners can expect an eclectic mix of music, with an emphasis on new music that matches the seasonal vibe. There must be two live performances, capped at 75% capacity or, if you prefer, tickets for a streaming performance are also available.
Another seasonal offering that is an old / new mix is Jahlem Bate’s Nutcracker Symphony 21 project at Chan on December 15 at 8 p.m. with Tchaikovsky’s Sugar Plums and Snowflakes both for orchestra and reinterpreted for big band in 1960 by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Is this a new tradition of cross-holiday? Time will tell us.
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It wouldn’t be the holidays without the seasonal gem of Early Music Vancouver, its long-running Festive Cantatas for Christmas series. This year we are hosting JS Bach, the fourth and fifth parts of his Christmas Oratorio, as well as a cantata by Bach’s contemporary, Johann Kuhnau. At EMV, you can expect the repertoire to be splendid, as will the company: sopranos Myriam Leblanc and Suzie LeBlanc, countertenor Nicholas Burns, tenor Colin Balzer, baritone Tyler Duncan and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, all under the careful direction of Alexander Weiman.
The performance will begin this year on Thursday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chan Center for the Performing Arts. Anticipating strong demand, EMV is offering a small gift for those who prefer to listen to the program at home: A free streaming of this concert will be available from December 22.
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