Landscapes: A Northern Odyssey takes a subjective journey through composers from Northern regions from 20th-century Northern Europe right up to the present-day British Columbia with a new work by Vancouver’s Owen Underhill, all performed by the Borealis String Quartet – a Vancouver-based ensemble that is acclaimed internationally as one of the most dynamic quartets of its generation. 

The program begins with the evocative and exuberant composition by a celebrated Latvian Canadian composer Imant Raminsh, String Quartet No. 3 (2015). 

The concert continues with a work by the Chinese Canadian Vancouver composer Xiao-Ou Hu, Time, Sky and Echoes II (2016) exploring the haunting beauty of a Mongolian folk song. The timbres, textures and harmonies evolve and transform in a manner analogous to traditional Mongolian instruments.

Finishing the 1st half is the world premiere of Owen Underhill’s String Quartet No. 5 (2017). This new work  conveys elements of northern landscapes in a sonic context.

The second half of the program begins with Landscapes (1925) by Ernest Bloch. This short work explores sonic expressions of the desolate north and rocky mountain images of the Alps.

The concert concludes with the turbulent work by venerable Hungarian composer Bela Bartok’s String Quartet No. 3 (1927) which is inspired by folk melodies and the musical heritage of Bach and Beethoven.

Tickets: Adult $30, Students $15

Limited front row seats: $45 + CD

Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets.