{"id":158386,"date":"2026-08-06T18:27:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T18:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/158386\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T18:27:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T18:27:09","slug":"vancouver-metropolitan-orchestra-plans-crowd-pleasing-program-for-10th-free-outdoor-concert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/158386\/","title":{"rendered":"Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra plans crowd-pleasing program for 10th free outdoor concert"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sounds of ringing chimes, triumphant brass, and booming drums will fill Jack Poole Plaza on Thursday (August 13). That\u2019s because the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra<\/a> will perform Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky\u2019s thundering 1812 Overture, Op. 49 16\u2019 as part of its annual free symphony concert in the square.<\/p>\n

VMO music director Ken Hsieh<\/a> tells Pancouver over Zoom that most people view 1812 Overture as Tchaikovsky\u2019s celebration of Russia\u2019s defeat of Napoleon\u2019s invading army. But Hsieh points to another motivating factor.<\/p>\n

\u201c1812 was really written by Tchaikovsky to commemorate the opening of a cathedral that was planned for many hundred years and finally was built,\u201d Hsieh says. \u201cHe wrote this piece specifically for the opening of the church.\u201d<\/p>\n

The congenial maestro is referring to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which stands on the northern bank of the Moskva River.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel that sometimes people do have the tendency to misinterpret the piece or the intentions that we have behind it,\u201d Hsieh adds.<\/p>\n

The VMO\u2019s 10th annual free outdoor symphony concert at Jack Poole Plaza will feature Jiayu Li as the violin soloist. The Port Coquitlam high school student has won many honours, including Grand Prize at the Canada Virtuoso Young Artists Competition.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it would be great to get a young violinist to play \u2018Cinema Paradiso\u2019,\u201d Hsieh says.<\/p>\n

He likens Ennio Morricone\u2019s composition to \u201cmelting chocolate\u201d because it\u2019s so sweet to the ears. Also known as \u201cRemember\u201d or \u201cLove Theme\u201d, this memorable song undoubtedly helped the movie Cinema Paradiso win Best Foreign Language Film at the 62nd Academy Awards.<\/p>\n

\"VancouverThe annual free concert attracts a large crowd.
\nOrchestra invites suggestions from the public<\/p>\n

In his interview with Pancouver, Hsieh expresses his appreciation for the two major sponsors, PCI Developments and Ledcor, who make this beloved event possible. Each year, it attracts 7,000 to 10,000 music lovers to the giant square overlooking Coal Harbour.<\/p>\n

Hsieh says that this year, the VMO sought a great deal of public input before selecting the music.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe received a lot of suggestions,\u201d the conductor acknowledges. \u201cAnd one of the suggestions that kept coming up\u2014and I\u2019ve decided finally to program it\u2014was Bol\u00e9ro.\u201d<\/p>\n

French composer Marice Ravel wrote this Spanish-flavoured ballet score in 1928 for Russian dancer Ida Rubinstein.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little tricky because we do have to deal with the saxophone, which is not very common in the orchestra,\u201d Hsieh reveals. \u201cSo, we did get that problem solved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bol\u00e9ro is not the only ballet piece that people will hear at Jack Poole Plaza. The VMO will also perform The Triumphal March and Ballet from Guiseppe Verdi\u2019s opera Aida. In addition, the audience will hear Danse Bacchanale from Camille Saint-Sa\u00ebns\u2019s opera Samson and Delilah.<\/p>\n

This programming reflects Hsieh\u2019s love for ballet music, even though it is not always associated with symphonic concerts. In fact, part of his conducting practice includes leading orchestra ballets. Hsieh has conducted for the Boston Ballet and later this year, he will do the same for the Philadelphia Ballet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just find ballet music to be very intriguing,\u201d Hsieh says.<\/p>\n

He also isn\u2019t afraid to venture into crowd-pleasing themes from hit films or TV shows. As a result of suggestions submitted through social media, this year\u2019s free summer concert will include music from Jurassic Park, Game of Thrones, and Titanic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to say to the audience: \u2018We\u2019re listening to what you guys want to hear,\u2019 \u201d Hsieh emphasizes. \u201cWe\u2019re hoping that this will be something that will be enjoyable for all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra<\/a> will present the VMO Free Outdoor Concert at Jack Poole Plaza on Thursday (August 13). <\/p>\n

Follow\u00a0Pancouver<\/a>\u00a0on X\u00a0@PancouverMedia<\/a>\u00a0and Bluesky\u00a0@pancouver.bsky.social<\/a>. Pancouver is also on Instagram\u00a0@PancouverMedia<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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