Our Planet

The VSO’s Our Planet is a season-long exploration of the intersection of music and the natural world, and the importance of preserving it.

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The music of the natural world has surrounded humankind throughout our evolution, fostering innate connections between music and nature. Music inspired by nature creates familiarity and empathy towards plants, animals, and the elements.
Music can rally emotions and actions. Like any art form, music can change our approach to the changing world, communicate insights on climate change, and help to process emotions surrounding it.

Features of Our Planet

  • Hélène Grimaud – pianist, environmental activist and champion for the Worldwide Fund for Nature, Amnesty International, and the Wolf Conservation Center, which she founded
  • The Rite of Spring — a landmark in classical music
  • Chris Hadfield — Canada’s famed astronaut and environmental activist
  • A symphonic celebration of summer with Berlioz’s Les nuits d’été and Šerkšnytė Midsummer Songs
  • Life Emerging I & II: stunning, multi-media commissions composed by Marcus Goddard exploring the effects of climate change in Antarctica and the Pacific Northwest

Chris Hadfield and the VSO

Two national treasures on one stage: Canada’s guitar playing astronaut, Colonel Chris Hadfield, and the 104 year old VSO! Together, it will be a night of magical music and storytelling. It’s sure to be out of this world.

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Hélène Grimaud Plays Brahms

French pianist Hélène Grimaud is undeniably one of the finest pianists in the world today. Lauded for her passionate performances, and her dedication to environmental conservation, she captures the emotional core of Brahms. The VSO’s Marcus Goddard takes us on a musical journey through an icy seascape with his work Life Emerging: Antarctica. VSO principal cellist Henry Shapard performs the solo, originally written for Yo-Yo Ma.

A VSO original, not to be missed!

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The Rite of Spring

All things spring! Maestro Tausk continues to explore the music of Schumann alongside one of the 20th Century’s most important musical works, Stravinsky’s scandalous The Rite of Spring. With its celebration of pagan ritual, there was a riot at its premiere. It is now recognized as a modern masterpiece.

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Life Emerging with Brahms & Vaughan Williams

Stefan Jackiw, “a legend in the making” (Chicago Tribune), serenades with Brahms’ lyrical Violin Concerto. Vaughn Williams’ treasured masterpiece soars under the baton of Maestro Tausk. The VSO continues the exploration of Our Planet with works by Canadian contemporary composers, inspired by Earth’s shifting dynamics of destruction and healing.

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Summer Nights: Mozart & Berlioz

A celebration of summer, just in time for sunshine season in Vancouver. Experience one of Berlioz’s most popular works; an exploration of love’s evolution over a series of summer nights. Mozart loved a good party and the final act of The Marriage of Figaro is perhaps one of the best he threw.

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