Name: Märkl Conducts Brahms 1
Start: 2026-03-07T19:30:00
Location: Orpheum

As the New Year ushers in a fresh chapter, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents a spectacular array of performances that promise to enthrall music lovers with a diverse selection of orchestral masterpieces. From the romantic swells of Tchaikovsky to the groundbreaking symphonies of Beethoven, and the modern flair of John Adams, this season's lineup is a testament to the timeless and evolving nature of orchestral music. Join us as we delve into the vibrant events set to grace the stages of Vancouver, featuring renowned artists and conductors bringing these compositions to life.

A Symphony of Events: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Grand Showcase

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) promises a captivating season in 2026 with a rich program of orchestral performances. Spanning from the timeless classics of Beethoven to the innovative synthesis of Brahms and Radiohead, these events highlight the talents of renowned soloists and conductors. Each performance is set to present a unique musical experience, offering audiences in Vancouver an unforgettable journey through sound. With venues ranging from the historic Orpheum to the vibrant Centennial Theatre, the VSO's upcoming season is a celebration of music's power to inspire and stir emotions.

A Symphony of Sounds: Unveiling 2026's Orchestral Masterpieces with the VSO

Stefan Jackiw

Jun Märkl

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

When conductor Jun Märkl and violinist Stefan Jackiw last performed together with the VSO, The Vancouver Sun described their collaboration as “stellar”. Ten years later, they reunite to present Prokofiev’s emotionally intense Second Violin Concerto. Takemitsu’s meditative Ceremonial contrasts the euphoric finale of Brahms’ First Symphony, a fitting homage to the composer’s hero, Beethoven.

Märkl Conducts Brahms 1

Orpheum

Overflowing with lush melodies and sumptuous orchestrations, Maestro Tausk leads the VSO in Rachmaninoff’s towering Second Symphony. French-Canadian cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras has “always been willing to range outside the comfort zone of most of his colleagues” (The New Yorker) and tackles one of the 20th century’s most important additions to the cello repertoire, Tout un monde lointain… (A Whole Distant World…) by French composer Henri Dutilleux. Experience Canadian Michael Oesterle’s La Chapelle, a musical tribute to Montreal’s historic Bon-Pasteur Chapel.

Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony

Maestro Tausk leads the orchestra in Sergei Prokofiev’s exhilarating Fifth Symphony, written at the height of WWII and considered by the composer to be one of his best works. Virtuoso Paul Huang, known for his “masterly account of Barber’s Violin Concerto” (The New York Times) returns to dazzle Vancouver audiences with this lyrical masterpiece. Savour the delicate beauty of O Rose by former VSO Composer in Residence, the late Jocelyn Morlock.

Tausk Conducts Prokofiev 5

Brahms x Radiohead is an epic symphonic synthesis of Radiohead’s album OK Computer and the Brahms First Symphony, composed for full symphony orchestra and three solo vocalists. The piece offers a reimagined experience of each work by seeing it through the lens of the other, exploring the explosive tension and deep pathos they have in common. Brahms’ 19th-century orchestral sound palette is used throughout, but woven in, superimposed, and inserted are the melodies and music of Radiohead. At times one hears the themes and lyrics of Radiohead suspended over Brahms’ symphony; at times the orchestra plays the music of Radiohead but filtered through the counterpoint and harmonies of Brahms. Every combination of synthesis is explored in Hackman’s recomposition, as the music moves from one to the other so seamlessly that many times the audience is left wondering which is which, and how the combination was even possible.

Brahms X Radiohead with the VSO

Experience the unforgettable scores of some of Hollywood’s most iconic classics. From Gone with the Wind to the Wizard of OZ, Forrest Gump to E.T., enjoy an afternoon reliving your favourite movie moments with host Christopher Gaze and conductor Sean O’Loughlin.

Afternoon at the Oscars

Put on your platform shoes and jump on the dance floor! Featuring a powerhouse vocal trio, Disco Divas celebrates the reigning Queens of Disco Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and the one and only Diana Ross along with classic Disco hits from Earth, Wind & Fire, The Bee Gees, Michael Jackson and more. Sing along with the Disco Divas to your favourite hits like “Bad Girls,” “I’m Coming Out,” “Lady Marmalade,” “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” “We Are Family,” “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” “I Will Survive” and “She Works Hard For the Money.”

Disco Divas

“A school project about classical music?! ”  wails Corky, “What do I know about classical music? ” Uncle Siegfried to the rescue! But when Corky accidentally combines the ingredients of a magical musical spell her uncle is working on, she finds herself on an adventure with some of the world’s most fascinating composers – Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Dvořák, Shostakovich! Join Corky as she attempts to recreate the musical formula that will bring a happy ending to a time travel experiment gone awry.

Platypus Theatre: Bach To The Future

Legendary cellist and cultural ambassador Yo-Yo Ma reunites with Maestro Tausk and the VSO for an unforgettable performance of Edward Elgar’s deeply moving Cello Concerto, composed in the aftermath of World War I. Paired with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s towering Second Symphony and Samy Moussa’s evocative Adgilis Deda, this is a concert experience to treasure for years to come.

Yo-Yo Ma with the VSO

Conductor Anna-Maria Helsing presents an evening of music sparkling with love’s many facets. Relive one of the greatest love stories ever told through Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet suite inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Named as “simply one of the best classical pianists working today” by The Scotland Herald, Vadym Kholodenko presents Béla Bartók’s radiant Third Piano Concerto. The late Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s evocative Lumière et pesanteur (Light and Gravity) scintillates with celestial beauty. Embark on an enchanted quest for love in Prokofiev’s orchestral suite for his comic opera, The Love for Three Oranges.

Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet

Celebrated as one of the greatest composers in the history of film, Henry Mancini created countless film scores and some of the most memorable music of our time. Join conductor Sean O’Loughlin and the VSO in a celebration of this amazing artist, featuring such classics as “Moon River,” Charade and Peter Gunn.

Mostly Mancini

Sean O’Loughlin and the VSO bring the iconic music of the James Bond movies to the Orpheum with such favourites as Thunderball, From Russia with Love, and Goldfinger. Featured on America’s Got Talent and a regular guest vocalist with Pink Martini, the sensational Jimmie Herrod makes his Vancouver debut. Rounding out the program are hits from Austin Powers, Mission Impossible and Henry Mancini’s irresistible music from the Pink Panther series.

The Music of James Bond

Sullivan Heights Secondary School

Journey with Toronto Symphony Orchestra Conductor Emeritus Peter Oundjian through the vivid imagery of Mussorgsky’s glorious Pictures at an Exhibition. “Set to dominate the piano world for a long time to come” (The Times of London), Simon Trpčeski tackles Rachmaninoff’s impressive First Piano Concerto, bursting with virtuosic passages. Joan Tower’s Concerto for Orchestra opens the evening showcasing the exceptional musicians of the VSO.

Märkl Conducts Brahms 1

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