Events

Name: Soulful Strings
Start: 2026-01-31 19:30
Location: White Rock Baptist Church

March 19 2026

Rhapsody – celebrating 70 years!

with the Bergmann Duo, Borealis String Quartet and Rod Thomas Squance, percussion

This celebratory concert brings together musical friends to salute White Rock Concert’s 70th season with a festive programme and a memorable evening of musical highlights. The programme will feature Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor, a string quartet by Mozart alongside specially arranged transcriptions for the ensemble by Marcel Bergmann. The ever popular Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue, the fiery and sultry music by Astor Piazzolla, and Queen’s iconic Bohemian Rhapsody will be a grand finale to this anniversary season.

March 19 2026

Gryphon Trio

White Rock Concerts is delighted to welcome back Canada’s premier piano trio and three-time Juno Award winner, Gryphon Trio. The programme begins with a selection of short works and movements that trace the evolution of the piano trio, revealing how violin, cello, and piano developed into equal and expressive partners. The second half features the Piano Trio No. 3 in F minor, Op. 65 by Antonín Dvořák—a deeply emotional masterpiece known for its dramatic intensity and powerful chamber music writing.

March 19 2026

Diana Cohen, violin, Roman Rabinovich, piano

Violinist Diana Cohen, known for her expressive artistry and adventurous programming, has performed internationally as both soloist and chamber musician. Pianist Roman Rabinovich, winner of the 2008 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, is acclaimed for his versatility, combining technical brilliance with artistic depth. The programme features two piano sonatas by Beethoven — the exuberant “Les Adieux,” Op. 81a, and the lyrical Op. 90. The duo will join forces for the compelling violin Sonata of Leoš Janáček and the glorious F major Violin Sonata by Felix Mendelssohn.

March 19 2026

Italian Serenade

with the John Avison Orchestra, Ingrid Chiang, bassoon, Leslie Dala, conductor

The John Avison Chamber Orchestra brings a welcome burst of Mediterranean sunshine to the West Coast this January with a programme celebrating the warmth and brilliance of Italy. The concert features a sparkling concerto by Antonio Vivaldi, alongside the charming Suite-Concertino by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, showcasing bassoonist Ingrid Chiang. The Italian theme continues with a delightful String Sonata by Gioachino Rossini, the lyrical Italian Serenade by Hugo Wolf, and the poignant Crisantemi by Giacomo Puccini.

March 19 2026

Zodiac Trio

Returning to our stage, the Zodiac trio – Kliment Krylovskiy, clarinet, Vanessa Mollard, violin and Riko Higuma, piano – has been on the forefront of innovative programming presenting 20th century masterpieces alongside new works and acclaimed original arrangements. They will draw from some of their favourites including music by Aram Khachaturian, Benny Goodman, Peter Schickele, Arturo Márquez and a wild klezmer-inspired piece by Paul Schoenfield.

March 19 2026

Quartetto Gelato

For over 30 years, Quartetto Gelato has captivated audiences with imaginative and delightfully unexpected programmes that blend classical masterworks with tangos, klezmer, blazing Roma dances and more. The ensemble’s extensive touring has taken them across the globe. In this concert, they will perform music by Vivaldi, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Paganini and more — all delivered with the signature flair and exuberance that make Quartetto Gelato a worldwide favourite.

March 18 2026

Garlands of Spain

with Turning Point Ensemble and the Bergmann Duo.

This programme will be drawing on the music of Spain and Spanish influenced music and will spotlight the premiere of Marcel Bergmann’s new arrangement of Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield, Manuel De Falla’s El amor brujo and Spanish Garland, a piece based on 12 Spanish folk melodies by José Evangelista. A new piece for 2 pianos written especially for this concert by Marcel Bergmann will also be premiered.

March 18 2026

Ensemble Made in Canada

The Juno award winning piano quartet from Ontario will be delighting the audience with a charming French programme of piano quartets by Fauré and Saint-Saëns along with a couple of shorter Canadian works the group has commissioned. The musicians (pianist Philip Chiu, violinist Elissa Lee, violist Sheila Jaffé and cellist Trey Lee) are ensemble-in-residence at Western University in London.

March 18 2026

Kevin Chen

The Calgary born 20 year old rising star won first prizes at the Arthur Rubinstein Competition in Tel Aviv (2023), the Concours de Genève (2022), the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition in Budapest (2021), and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition (2020). He will present a programme of pianistic fireworks with pieces by Chopin, Liszt and Scriabin.

March 18 2026

Soulful Strings

with the John Avison Chamber Orchestra and Leslie Dala, conductor

This concert will feature an arrangement of one of Schubert’s most profound and compelling works, Death and the Maiden (originally for string quartet). Another highlight of the programme is Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis, a richly textured and elaborate piece that remains a beloved audience favourite.