Past Events

De Profundis: 17th-Century Sacred Music for Solo Bass

Virtuosic solo cantatas from the century before J.S. Bach for bass voice accompanied by cornetti and sackbuts. Music by Schütz, Selle, Ahle, Merula and Biber.

Bach Sonatas and Suites for Gamba

Since 2008, gambist Romina Lischk, has played regularly with ensembles such as Collegium Vocale Gent, Ricercar Consort and Gli Angeli Genève. For this intimate recital she plays the three sonatas written by J.S. Bach for viol and obligato harpsichord with Swiss harpsichordist and organist Francis Jacob. Programme to include Sonatas in G-major BWV 1027, D-major BWV 1028 and in G-minor BWV 1029 for viol and harpsichord.

Bach Cantatas: Actus Tragicus

For this concert of Early Cantatas by J.S. Bach (BWV 4, 131 and 106) and G.P. Telemann’s Du Aber Daniel, EMV welcomes back Gli Angeli Genève, a Baroque ensemble based in Geneva and led by baritone Stephan MacLeod. Considered to be one of Europe’s top ensembles specializing in the sacred music of J.S. Bach, Gli Angeli Genève is an ensemble of soloists who are regular guests on stages all over the world. They were most recently the ensemble-in-residence at the Utrecht Early Music Festival in 2016. They record for Sony Classical.

Songs without Words: Renaissance Madrigals Reimagined

Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane shocked the world in 1961 with his avant-garde version of “My Favourite Things” from The Sound of Music. Yet he was only continuing a centuries-old tradition of appropriating a well-known song as a medium for instrumental expression. This programme shows how this sort of musical piracy played out around the year 1600 in Italy, Spain, England, and the Netherlands.

Musica Transalpina: Vivaldi to Bach with Reginald Mobley and Pacific MusicWorks

Countertenor Reginald L. Mobley is highly sought after for baroque, classical and modern repertoire. The beauty of his singing and the warmth of his personality have made him an audience favourite in Vancouver over the last few seasons. For this performance he will sing a rarely performed, dramatic cantata by Amtonio Vivald – Cessate Omai Cessate, as well as one of J.S. Bach’s most beloved solo cantatas – BWV 82 / Ich Habe Genug. For this highly anticipated return Reggie will be joined by the musicians of Pacific MusicWorks and conductor/lutenist Stephen Stubbs.

Schubert Lieder for Voice and Guitar

A new mania for the guitar swept Europe during the first forty years of the nineteenth century, most especially in Vienna.  This very portable and soulful instrument was closely associated with song accompaniment, and was often used in “Schubertiades” where Franz Schubert himself was present (he apparently owned two guitars during his life).  No wonder that during Schubert’s lifetime, a handful of his most wonderful lieder were published with guitar accompaniments by prominent players of the day, such as the virtuoso Johann Kaspar Mertz.  This intimate recital features these and other lieder sung by Colin Balzer and accompanied by Lucas Harris on a recently-restored 1831 guitar by Gaetano Guadagnini.

Zimmermann’s Coffeehouse and Garden

Alexander Weimann and members of the PBO offer energetic chamber music by J.S. Bach, G.P. Telemann, C.P.E Bach, and Nicola Porpora evoking the caffeinated atmosphere of the Café Zimmermann in 18th century Leipzig. The most successful coffeehouse in town, it provided the backdrop for a series of now legendary public concerts led by J.S. Bach featuring debuts of his own new instrumental works as well as music by many of his favourite composers.

Mozart Sonatas for Fortepiano and Violin

Vancouver’s Marc Destrubé is the first violinist for the Orchestra of the 18th Century and is a leading figure in the period instrument movement. For this recital of Mozart Sonatas for fortepiano and violin he will be joined by Eric Zivian, one of North America’s most accomplished and respected specialists in late 18th and 19th century keyboard instruments. The programm will include Variations on “La bergere Celimene” K 359, Sonata in F major K 377, Sonata in A major K 526.

Medieval Echoes – contemplative flute music from Notker Balbulus to Guillaume de Machaut and beyond

Norbert Rodenkirchen is best know to Vancouver audiences for his long term association with Sequentia Ensemble for Medieval music. In this contemplative mixed recital of music for flute, he will lead the audience through a series of improvisations on material that includes the sequences of Notker Balbulus, a musician, author poet and Benedictine monk, as well as early minstrel tunes, and instrumental music by Guillaume de Machaut