The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is a Canadian orchestra performing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 240,000 people attend its live performances each year. It was founded in 1919 and plays in 12 venues. Its home is the Orpheum theatre. With an annual operating budget of $9.5 million, it is the third largest symphony orchestra in Canada. It performs 140 concerts per season.

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History

In additon to their regular concert schedule, the VSO also served as the Vancouver Opera company's orchestra during the 1960s and 70's, until creation of the separate Vancouver Opera Orchestra in 1977, ^[1].

Throughout its long history, the VSO has had its successes and struggles. In 1979-80 the VSO had the largest subscription list of any symphony in North America. (Henigham, 2000) However, even with (or perhaps because of) a CBC recording contract, a quarterly magazine and an ambitious touring schedule, the VSO began to founder. In 1988 the VSO was forced to shut-down for five months to regroup and deal with a $2.3 million deficit.

With local financial intervention, and a $500,000 federal grant, the VSO began to rebuild, focusing more attention on popular works and collaborations with contemporary artists.

Since 2000, the VSO's music director is Bramwell Tovey, whose current contract is through the 2009-2010 season. ^[2] The VSO's conductor laureate is Kazuyoshi Akiyama, who was music director from 1972 to 1985. Jeff Tyzik is the orchestra's principal pops conductor.

The VSO and Maestro Tovey won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (with Orchestra), for their recording of the Korngold, Barber, and Walton violin concerti, featuring Canadian violinist James Ehnes. The recording won a 2008 Juno Award for Classical Album of the Year (large ensemble).

The VSO broadcasts 18 times annually on the CBC (6 concerts repeated 3 times each) including their now very popular Christmas concert.

Music directors

• Irwin Hoffman (1952-1963)
• Meredith Davies (1964-1970)
• Kazuyoshi Akiyama (1972-1985)
• Sergiu Comissiona (1991-2000)
• Bramwell Tovey (2000-present)

Recordings

• Open Heart Symphony , a live album recorded by the VSO in collaboration with the folk rock band Spirit of the West.
• Jann Arden Live with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra a live album recorded in collaboration with pop singer Jann Arden.
• Barber , Korngold , Walton , Violin Concertos, Soloist James Ehnes , Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Bramwell Tovey , Grammy Awards winner 2008, Juno Awards winner 2008.

References

1. Vancouver Opera - History: The VOO and Chorus
2. Conductor Bramwell Tovey Extends Vancouver Symphony Tenure, Steps Down From Luxembourg Post