Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

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Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra with Otto Tausk in 2019
Founded1919; 106 years ago (1919)
Concert hallOrpheum
Music directorOtto Tausk
Websitewww.vancouversymphony.ca
Official Vancouver Symphony Orchestra logo

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is a

symphony orchestra in Canada and the largest performing arts organization in Western Canada. It performs 140 concerts per season. The VSO broadcasts annually on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The orchestra is affiliated with the VSO School of Music, which was established in September 2011. Chamber music concerts by VSO musicians take place at Pyatt Hall
on the VSO School of Music campus.

History

The current VSO was founded by the Vancouver Symphony Society in 1919, largely through the efforts of arts patron Elisabeth (Mrs. B.T.) Rogers. There was an earlier but unrelated orchestra using the same name was formed in 1897 by Adolf Gregory, but lasted for only one season; it was briefly revived in 1907 by Charles Ward. The VSO's first conductor was Henry Green; F.L. Beecher was the first president and Rogers the first vice-president. After two seasons, the orchestra disbanded in 1921 for financial reasons and after Green left. Performances resumed in 1930, again largely because of Rogers, with

Georgia Auditorium; it then moved to the new Queen Elizabeth Theatre.[1]

The VSO also served as the Vancouver Opera company's orchestra during the 1960s and 1970s, until the creation of the separate Vancouver Opera Orchestra in 1977. During the late 1960s and 1970s, the orchestra often appeared in joint concerts with the Vancouver Woodwind Quintet. Kazuyoshi Akiyama was music director from 1972 to 1985, and then became the orchestra's conductor laureate.

In 1979–1980, the VSO had the largest subscription list of any symphony in North America.[2] However, in spite of a CBC recording contract, a quarterly magazine and an ambitious touring schedule, the VSO began to encounter financial difficulties. In 1988, it was forced to shut down for five months to regroup and deal with a $2.3 million deficit. With creditors forgiving the debt, the VSO began to rebuild. The orchestra began an annual series of outdoor summer concerts and in 1996 appointed their first composer in residence.[1]

From 2000 to 2018, the VSO's Music Director was

Classical Album of the Year (large ensemble)
.

In January 2016, Otto Tausk first guest-conducted the VSO. He returned for a second guest-conducting appearance in January 2017. In February 2017, the VSO named Otto Tausk its next music director, starting on July 1, 2018. He held the title of Music Director-Designate for the 2017–2018 season.[7] In September 2020, the VSO announced the extension of Tausk's contract as music director through the 2025–2026 season.[8] In June 2024, the VSO announced a further extension of Tausk's contract as music director through the 2029-2030 season.[9]

Music directors

Composers in residence

Presidents and managers

  • Victor White (1963–1972)
  • Michael Allerton (1972–1985) (Orchestra Manager)
  • John Smith (1985–1986) (Interim General Manager)
  • Ed Oscapella (1986–1989)
  • Diane Hoar (1989–1992)
  • Graeme Page (1992–1993)
  • Howard Jang (1993–1995)
  • Ron Dumouchelle (1995–2000)
  • Jeff Alexander (2000–2014)
  • Kelly Tweeddale (2015–2019)
  • Angela Elster (2020–present)

Recordings

See also

References

  1. ^
    Canadian Encyclopedia
    . Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  2. ISBN 1-55192-298-3
    .
  3. ^ Ben Mattison (20 December 2004). "Conductor Bramwell Tovey Extends Vancouver Symphony Tenure, Steps Down From Luxembourg Post". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  4. ^ David Gordon Duke, "Bramwell Tovey signs on for five more years". Vancouver Sun, 28 January 2010.
  5. ^ David Gordon Duke (2013-11-30). "VSO transition: Music director Bramwell Tovey to step down after 2018 season". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  6. ^ Robert Rowat (2022-07-13). "Bramwell Tovey, Grammy-winning conductor, dead at 69". CBC. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  7. ^ David Gordon Duke (2017-02-03). "Vancouver Symphony Orchestra taps Dutch conductor Otto Tausk as next music director". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2017-02-06.
  8. ^ "Tausk Extends Contract Through 2026" (Press release). Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  9. ^ "Otto Tausk extends contract with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra until 2029/30" (Press release). Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
  10. ^ Bryan N.S. Gooch; Evan Ware; Lawrence Cluderay (23 June 2011). "Vancouver Symphony Orchestra". Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
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