On Monday’s (9/30) Vancouver Sun (Canada), David Gordon Duke writes that the Vancouver Symphony opened its 2013/14 season, the orchestra’s 95th, on Saturday, “with the premiere of Canadian composer Randolph Peters’ Musicophilia, a concerto-weight composition whipped up for star percussionist Evelyn Glennie.… Following the interval … came a joyous succession of three orchestral sparklers, starting with a blazing reading of Giuseppe Verdi’s Force of Destiny Overture.… Maestro Bramwell Tovey ended the evening with Maurice Ravel’s Bolero.” In the Globe and Mail on Sunday (9/29), Marsha Lederman reflects on the contributions of Tovey, the orchestra’s music director since 2000. “A conductor and composer renowned not just for his musical brilliance but also his great rapport with audiences, Tovey is a fierce cultural advocate and finessed cultural ambassador. He is a tireless promoter of Canadian music.… When offered congratulations on all the success, the maestro instantly credits his orchestra.… ‘You’re not really anybody without the musicians who are standing in front of you.’ ”
Posted October 1, 2013
