Vicky Chow has a résumé that reflects her reputation as one of North America’s most brilliant pianists. The Vancouver-born and Brooklyn-based musician has collaborated with a galaxy of star composers and artists, including the legendary Philip Glass.
On May 28, Chow will return to her hometown to perform Glass’s Piano Etudes, Book 2 at Christ Church Cathedral. It comes more than two years after the release of her album, Philip Glass: Piano Etudes Book 1 to celebrate Glass’s 85th birthday. Last year, Chow performed this work at a Music on Main concert.
Glass described Chow’s interpretation of his Etudes as “a highly dynamic and expressive performance”.
“There’s a certain energy that is uniquely hers,” the composer added.
Watch Vicky Chow’s performance last year of Piano Etudes, Book 1.
Chow mentors Julliard School students
Music on Main is also presenting the upcoming Vancouver concert. According to Glass’s website, his original six Etudes were written for Dennis Russell Davies and Achyn Freyer. Glass wrote another four “to expand his own piano technique, occasionally in response to individual commissions”.
“In classical music, there are rare, singular works that simply cannot be contained within one evening,” Music on Main artistic David Pay says in a news release. “Creations like Bach’s cello suites or Shostakovich’s string quartets take on a special resonance when experienced in their entirety in short windows. Philip Glass’ piano etudes are undeniably such a creation.
“Our longtime colleague and collaborator Vicky Chow stunned audiences with last spring’s performance of Book 1, and we could not be more thrilled to welcome her back to present the arc and beauty that comes with the completion of such emotionally resonant repertoire.”
Since joining the Bang on a Can All-Stars in 2009, Chow has received lavish praise in the largest-circulation broadsheets in the United States, including the New York Times and Los Angeles Times. She is a graduate and now a mentor at The Julliard School and has performed on major stages around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York.
For more information about Vicky Chow’s concert at Christ Church Cathedral on May 28, visit the Music on Main website. Follow Pancouver on X (formerly Twitter) @PancouverMedia and on Instagram @PancouverMedia.
