The Vancouver Island Symphony is presenting its first concert of its 25th season this weekend.
The program, Brave Heart, will feature pieces by former VIS composer-in-residence Jason Nett and Romantic Era composers Edvard Grieg and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Guest soloist Michael Kim will perform Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, which he describes as “one of the ultimate romantic concerti you could ever play with an orchestra.”
Kim said the composition is one of Grieg’s most popular and “you pretty much heard it on every concert” during the first half of the 20th century.
“Grieg balances so many elements really well,” he said of the composition. “It’s got perfect length. It’s got beautiful melodies.”
Kim said he feels very honoured to be performing in the VIS’s 25th anniversary season opener and that the concerto fits the occasion.
“Because it has such a wide range of character, because it showcases both the piano and orchestra in equal measure, it’s really one of the better pieces you could select,” he said. “And of course audiences love it so I think it’s a great season opener.”
WHAT’S ON … The Vancouver Island Symphony presents Brave Heart at the Port Theatre, 125 Front St., on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $48 and $56 for adults, $22 for students. Available at the box office or online.
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