Hometown pianist Avan Yu plays Rachmaninoff at the Orpheum, and on Tour with the VSO

Vancouver's own piano virtuoso and long-time VSO friend, Avan Yu, performs Rachmaninoff's thrilling Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini from April 25 to 27 at the Orpheum Theatre. Bramwell Tovey leads the orchestra in Debussy's Prelude a l'après midi d'un faune and Stravinsky's Petrouchka.

In addition to his three Orpheum performances on VSO subscription series, Mr. Yu will accompany the VSO on its Central Canada Tour from May 1 to 4, 2009 as featured soloist. The tour was planned around an invitation from the National Arts Centre in Ottawa as part of BC Scene, a celebration of the arts and cultural scene in British Columbia. The tour will take the orchestra to Québec City, Ottawa, Toronto and Montréal.

Last month, Avan Yu embarked on a two-week concert tour in Spain. He gave successful recitals in Vitoria, Seville, Peñaranda de Bracamonte, Gijón, Oviedo, Avilçes, and Santander. The last time the pianist was in Spain was in August 2008, when he won the Silver Medal and the Audience Prize at the 16th Paloma O'Shea Santander International Piano Competition. Launched in 1974, the Paloma O'Shea Santander International Piano Competition takes place every three years and has become one of the most important piano competitions in the world today. In a span of less than two weeks, the contestants had to play five different concerts, including two concertos with orchestras as well as a chamber concert with the Casals Quartet.

At age 21, Canadian pianist Avan Yu has already performed in recital and with orchestras on four continents, captivating audiences with his extraordinary musicianship and ability. He is the only pianist to win first prize in both the junior and senior divisions of the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition. He made his debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the age of fourteen, and in October of this season, made his successful New York debut at the Carnegie Weill Recital Hall. Mr. Yu first came to national attention by taking first prize at the Canadian Chopin Competition at the age of 17, after having won the Canadian Music Competition in both 2001 and 2002.

CONCERT INFO

PricewaterhouseCoopers Masterworks Silver Series & Beltone Symphony Sundays Series:
Great Romantics: Rachmaninoff, Debussy and Stravinsky

Saturday & Monday, April 25 & 27, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Tickets for April 25 & 27: $25 to $78.50 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)
Tickets for April 26: $20 to $56 (Student, Senior and Subscriber discounts available)

Tickets available by phone at 604.876.3434 or online at http://www.vancouversymphony.ca.