“All eyes are on the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra this season—or, rather, all ears,” writes David Gordon Duke in Monday’s (9/17) Vancouver Sun (Canada). “Not only is this its hundredth anniversary, it is also the first season for new Music Director Otto Tausk…. Most of his work to date has been in Europe, including a formative stint as Valery Gergiev’s assistant conductor with the Rotterdam Philharmonic…. Tausk has a particular interest in contemporary music—he’s recorded an extensive list of contemporary Dutch figures—and in later Romantic repertoire. His plans for next year include strong representation from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries…. There are contemporary concertos by Sofia Gubaidulina and Michel van der Aa…. There are repertoire staples by Beethoven and Schubert, plus an all-Mozart program…. The season formally begins with a new work, Helix, by Edward Top, former VSO composer in residence…. All conductors have their ‘preferred’ sound…. ‘It’s a two-way thing,’ says Tausk. ‘No one can predict exactly what will happen, but I certainly want to take advantage of the clarity and color this orchestra produces. We’re all blending in the same direction … keeping the structure and clarity intact.’ ”
Posted September 19, 2018
