A Concert...

I went to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's year-end performance. Their conductor is Salvador Brotons, who lives in Spain year-round, and comes in early for his concerts. I've been to the last 3 - and this one ... by far... was the best.

He has as guest performers a mezzo-soprano, Angela Niederloh, for the opening half, where she sang with the orchestra in Leonard Bernstein's Symphony No. 1 (Jeremiah) - He had as a mentor Aaron Copeland - both of these men are my favorites ...

... and I want to add another favorite ... Salvador Brotons ... the second half of the program started with a Catalanish (Spanish) group named "Cobla de Cambra de Catalunya" ... 11 men who placed these intruments -- 2 Tenoras (a very long, belled, double-reed oboe-ish instrument); 1 Flabiol (a very small flute-like insrument, but with a reed, played with one hand); 2 Tibles (a smaller Tenora-like insturment without the large bell); 2 B-flat Trumpets; 1 Trombone; 2 Fiscorns (a double french horn/small tuba like brass); 1 Double Bass ... Groups like this play in the streets of Barcelona on the weekends for the pleasure of the crowds. They have a conductor, and they played about 6 pieces for us before the closing piece.

The principal player & composer, Jordi Molina, who plays the Tenora (a tenor shawm, or high-pitched tenor oboe) also played a featured solo part in the final piece, Catalanish Concerto, composed and conducted by Salvador Brotons, and which premired today in the USA. It was simply one of the most beautiful, exciting and peaceful 3-movement pieces I've ever heard. What an exciting day...

For new subscribers to the 6-concert season, you get a 50% discount if purchased in the next 2 weeks....guess what I'm purchasing !?!? ($78.00 for 6 great concerts - oh yeah!)