For the first time in its 23 seasons, the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra will feature a classical guitar soloist. Greek-Armenian virtuoso Iakovos Kolanian will perform Joaquin Rodrigo’s most famous work, Concierto de Aranjuez, at the VMO’s Spring Concert. It will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday (April 11) at the Orpheum Theatre.
“When I think of the guitar, it’s such a romantic instrument,” VMO music director and principal conductor Ken Hsieh tells Pancouver. “I’m really looking forward to this.”
Kolanian has recorded six albums and taught at the Contemporary Athens Conservatory and the Athenaeum Conservatory. He has also appeared on many European television and radio shows.
Hsieh reveals that the founder of Lugaro Jewellers, Steve Agopian, helped make Kolanian’s Canadian debut a reality.
“We really appreciate Lugaro for being the title sponsor,” Hsieh states. “Steve has been following Iakovos Kolanian for many years.”
Rodrigo composed Concierto de Aranjuez in 1939. Hsieh describes the deeply expressive second movement as “iconic”, declaring that it will be one of the concert’s highlights.
The Spanish composer named his 22-minute piece after the gorgeous city south of Madrid. The Aranjuez Cultural Landscape became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.
VMO will perform Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3
“In summer, the Aranjuez gardens are beautiful, indeed,” wrote Graham Wade in Classical Guitar magazine. “But such is the lure of Joaquín Rodrigo’s music that nowadays one cannot walk through its leafy avenues without thinking of the Aranjuez. The composer has mesmerized the world with his wonderful inspiration, and made Aranjuez his very own.”
According to Hsieh, Kolanian will play other pieces in addition to Concierto de Aranjuez. Following the intermission, the VMO will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 in A minor (“Scottish”). The 19th-century German composer’s walking tour of Scotland inspired the overture The Hebrides, also known as Fingal’s Cave.
Hsieh feels that this symphony is a wonderful learning tool for the orchestra’s younger musicians.
“Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 makes me think of Mel Gibson in the movie Braveheart,” Hsieh notes. “It has that warrior kind of feel to it.”
The Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra will present its Spring Concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday (April 11) at the Orpheum Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit Showpass.com. Follow Pancouver on X @PancouverMedia and on Instagram @PancouverMedia.
