Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Friendship: Ian & Beethoven - with the Vancouver Island Symphony


The Vancouver Island Symphony presents
Friendship – Ian and Beethoven
Guest 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

 
For more information visit www.vancouverislandsymphony.com
Celebrate 20! – “An Awesome Party” – Keeping Music LIVE!

 

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