The Vancouver Island Symphony presents
Friendship – Ian and
BeethovenGuest Artist: Ian Parker, Piano
Conductor: Pierre Simard
Saturday, January 31, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Port Theatre, 125 Front Street, Nanaimo
Tickets: 250-754-8550 www.porttheatre.com
Pre-Concert Talk
“Continue to be my friend, as you will always
find me yours.” – attributed to Beethoven
Cooking up a gourmet feast of music and friendship
Ian Parker is having fun! And when this popular
international pianist comes to perform with the Vancouver Island Symphony at
the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on January 31, for Friendship: Ian and Beethoven, he will be enjoying every moment,
doing what he loves to do – play the piano like he’s presenting a gourmet
feast. For if there’s anything the youthful, dynamic, flamboyant and
expressive, globe-trotting Parker loves, it’s making music, cooking and sharing
food and time with family - and friends.
“I feel so
incredibly close to the VI Symphony and the Port Theatre,” says Parker. “On my
first performance at the Port Theatre I remember having to test out their new
piano for them.”
So, in their
20th celebratory season, focussed on friendship, the VI Symphony has
invited one of their best friends. Parker’s magnetic charm, easy-going manner
and amazing talent have captivated audiences at the Port Theatre for each of
his guest appearances. Who could forget his sold-out raising-the-roof
performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue,
or Tchaikovsky’s stunning Piano
Concerto No. 1?
On January
31, Parker will play yet another brilliant piece of music with the orchestra,
Mozart’s highly popular Piano Concerto
No. 20. About the concerto Parker says, “Mozart, being the genius he was,
never wrote his own cadenzas - he made them up on the spot. Beethoven had such
passion and feeling about Mozart’s concerto that he actually wrote cadenzas for
it; musicians usually create their own, but for this concerto they play
Beethoven’s version - Mozart with a bit of Beethoven - and it’s just awesome!”
Parker, who
in the past year has performed in Brazil and across North America, is really
looking forward to this concert. “I’ve enjoyed playing with conductor Pierre
Simard, and I’m excited about doing it again.”
Simard will
also be conducting the VI Symphony for the world premiere of Mix Tape, written specifically for this
concert by another VI Symphony friend, former composer-in-residence, and
Nanaimo native, Jason Nett. As a
grand finale, Simard will conduct Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 which is, in the composer’s own words, his ‘most
excellent symphony.’
Ian Parker,
Mozart, Beethoven, Jason Nett and the VI Symphony – ingredients for a most
excellent gourmet feast of - music and friendship! And, if you have never
experienced such delights before, come and taste-test - and feel the
friendship. Tickets for this concert of camaraderie and delicious music (student $20, general $33-$59, eyeGO $5) are
available by calling 250-754-8550. Then come and meet the delightful gourmet
artist himself at the Pre-Concert talk.
For more information about Ian Parker
and his amazing life visit: www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-parker.htm
and www.ianparker.ca.
About composer and Nanaimo native
Jason Nett visit: www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-nett.htm
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Nett
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