Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Astounds Asia
First Canadian Orchestra to Perform in China in 30 Years
 In October, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra returned from their well received tour to Asia. Directed by Bramwell Tovey, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra went on an 11-day, 7 concert tour which included concerts in Seongnam and Daejeon in South Korea, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Macau. As a part of this tour, the VSO took part in the Macau International Music Festival, the Beijing Music Festival, and the Shanghai Music Festival.
The orchestra was joined by the brilliant Grammy-award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn and together they performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35, drawing long-lasting applause from the audiences when finished. Following the performances in South Korea, Tovey informed news sources that the shows "went very well indeed with enthusiastic houses-each concert had four encores-one by Hilary [Hahn] in Daejon and three by the orchestra, and two each in Seongnam".
Fu Seng Hong of the Macau Daily Times reviewed their Tuesday (October 14) night concert at the Macao Cultural Centre, where he praised the orchestra's "spirit, vigour, and all-around impressive musicianship" and "wonderful passion for the composer [Tchaikovsky]'s music". He also celebrated the VSO's interpretation of Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5, in D Minor, announcing that "the tone of the orchestra overall was spectacular, creating an emotional and passionate experience for all in attendance".
This tour marks a momentous occasion for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as they became the first Canadian orchestra to perform in China in 30 years, and the first Canadian orchestra ever to play at the Beijing Music Festival.
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