reviewvancouver: VSO - The Nat "King" Cole Songbook

Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor Jin Zhang Assistant Conductor Nicholas Urquhart

Featured performer Lorraine Min, piano

Date and Venue 23 February 23th, 2013, 8pm | Shaughnessy Heights United Church, 1550 W. 33rd Avenue

Reviewer Karen Fitzgibbon

Once again the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra receives a standing ovation for its excellent performance of Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (Eroica).

Conductor Jin Zhang and Assistant Conductor Nicholoas Urquart manoeuvre complicated movements like a fine Swiss watchmaker in days of old. These wonderful classics are miraculously played by an orchestra with minds and instruments melting together as one. The acoustics in the Shaughnessy Heights United Church are just perfect for tonight’s presentation.

It is an honour not only to hear guest piano soloist Lorraine Min play, but to have the opportunity of meeting this charming and extremely talented musician. Min performs Perokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with great confidence and perfection. I wish I were sitting closer to the front so that I could enjoy the visual of Min’s piano keyboarding style as well as hearing it. Just a special added note: Min is also a full time music professor.

The backdrop of crosses created by children that hangs beneath the high stain glass windows above the altar helps to create a beautiful ambience for the orchestra in their classy black and white attire.

Tonight’s ensemble consisted of violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, percussion and of course piano.

I would like to see more Vancouverites attending these live performances of classical music. The Shaughnessy Heights United Church is full tonight but not at the capacity it could be for live symphony sound as magnificent as the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra.

I was amazed how the people behind me did not have the courtesy or presence of mind to be quiet during the performance. It would be considerate to leave cell phones at home or in the car. We should respect the hard work and dedication involved in creating such beautiful music.

To the conductors and orchestra I would like to say, “Bravo.”