Early Music Vancouver

Contact Information

(604) 732-1610

staff@earlymusic.bc.ca https://www.earlymusic.bc.ca

Vancouver, British Columbia

Type of Organization

Festivals, Performing Ensemble, Presenter, Education

About

Under the leadership of Artistic/Executive Director, and internationally acclaimed soprano, Suzie LeBlanc, C.M. Early Music Vancouver (EMV) has been a much-loved, and vital contributor to Vancouver’s cultural scene for more than 50 years. EMV presents a packed performance calendar with 40+ live performances and digital concerts  a year featuring some of the most renowned artists in the early music genre drawn from all parts of the globe.  It is highly respected around the world as one of the largest and most successful early music organizations in North America. Amongst the classical music world, it is unique in that it both presents visiting artists and produces its own concerts featuring the Pacific Baroque Orchestra. Many other classical music organizations do one or the other, not both.

The Pacific Baroque Orchestra (PBO) is EMV's 'house band'. Under the direction of Alexander Weimann, PBO is recognized as one of Canada’s most exciting and innovative early music ensembles. It also tours extensively throughout the Canada and the U.S.  In addition, Early Music Vancouver presents an annual 10-day Bach Festival in the summer (including an artist-in-residence component), produces Notations (a series of informative behind-the-scenes podcasts) and presents online courses. EMV also offers a Baroque Orchestra Mentorship Programme, plus a BC Scholarship Programme for professional-track music students or active professional musicians seeking to develop skills in early music performance.

The phrase ‘early music’ often refers to European music from the Medieval Period through to the Baroque (about 1800). Through its Passport Series, EMV also presents early music from outside the western European tradition to that of other cultures within the same period – Tang Dynasty China and the Ottoman and Persian empires for instance.  EMV concerts offer a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and exploration of diverse perspectives and relationships with the past. EMV also explores music from the 19th century with historically informed performances on its restored fortepianos – re-creating the original sound of the music as the composer heard it. Live performances take place at venues such as Christ Church Cathedral, the Chan Centre, St. Andrew's Wesley United Church and Pacific Spirit United Church. The organization is a registered non-profit charity.