White Rock Concerts Launches Captivating New Season
The White Rock Concerts series is back, promising classical music lovers a season brimming with artistry, innovation, and Canadian pride. Entering its 69th year, the series, led by artistic directors Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann, offers audiences world-class performances without leaving the Peninsula. Known for creative programming, the Bergmann Duo has curated a season that celebrates the art of arrangement, transforming both timeless masterpieces and surprising modern selections.
Orchestral Abundance and Creative Twists
This year’s lineup is unique, featuring three orchestral evenings instead of the usual single one. The opening concert on October 18 showcases the Cheng Duo in Unravelling Ravel, weaving works by Ravel, Debussy, de Falla, and Mussorgsky into an impressionist journey. Later, the Pacific Baroque Orchestra reimagines Bach’s Goldberg Variations with fresh textures, while the John Avison Chamber Orchestra presents Schubert’s Death and the Maiden in a stirring orchestral form alongside Vaughan Williams’ evocative Fantasia.
Spotlight on Rising Canadian Talent
In February, 20-year-old piano virtuoso Kevin Chen takes the stage, delivering Chopin, Liszt, and Scriabin with youthful brilliance. The March program welcomes the Juno Award-winning Ensemble Made in Canada, offering French romantic works and Canadian compositions. This consistent emphasis on homegrown talent reflects the organization’s deep commitment to Canadian artistry.
A Bold Finale with Spanish Flair
The season closes in April with Garlands of Spain, a collaboration between the Bergmann Duo and The Turning Point Ensemble. The concert features Marcel Bergmann’s new arrangement of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, alongside Spanish-inspired works by de Falla and Jose Evangelista. This inventive approach turns popular music into a refined classical experience.
White Rock Concerts continues to prove that classical music can be adventurous, inclusive, and deeply engaging for all ages. For details and subscriptions, visit whiterockconcerts.com.
Stay tuned to Surreyspeak for more inspiring arts coverage and updates from your local cultural scene.
