VSO draws on rising star Maria Ioudenitch for Mendelssohn’s revered Violin Concerto, October 17 and 18

The young Russian-American virtuoso has built an international reputation on major prize wins and an innovative approach

Maria Ioudenitch. Photo by Andrej Grilc

 
 

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra presents Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto at the Orpheum on October 17 and 18 at 7:30 pm

 

WHEN VIRTUOSO Maria Ioudenitch was just three years old, growing up as a Russian émigré in Kansas City, her pianist parents gave her a tiny violin. Their intention may simply have been to avoid overcrowding at the keyboard in the intensely musical household. But the decision set a celebrated international career in motion.

One of its peaks came in 2021, when Ioudenitch drew worldwide attention by racking up wins in three major competitions: the Ysaÿe, the Tibor Varga, and the Joseph Joachim. Since then, the acclaim has grown to include her recorded work, with her debut album, Songbird, taking the 2023 Opus Klassic Award for chamber music recording of the year.

All this, plus her reputation for wide-ranging, innovative programs, naturally places her at centre stage in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming performances of Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, one of the most revered pieces of its kind, and long considered a rite of passage for young violinists. The concerts, helmed by German conductor Constantin Trinks, will also include Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 5, with its sweeping finale.

For those seeking more depth and detail, there will be a free pre-concert talk before the October 17 performance, at 6:45 pm in the Orpheum lobby.

 
 
 
 
Featured
Brian Lynch
Brian Lynch

Brian Lynch has written and edited in West Coast arts and culture fields for many years. Music and hockey take up the rest of his time.

 
 

Related Articles

Articles
Vetta Chamber Music’s 2026-27 season blends tradition with a focus on the future
Vetta Chamber Music’s 2026-27 season blends tradition with a focus on the future

In his first season as the ensemble’s artistic director, violist Hung-Wei Huang is bringing back a few familiar faces and tapping into the creativity of kids from local schools

With Lachrimae, lute virtuoso Lucas Harris explores the uplifting powers of musical melancholy
With Lachrimae, lute virtuoso Lucas Harris explores the uplifting powers of musical melancholy

The eclectic program mixes masterpieces by Renaissance composer John Dowland and Joni MItchell at Early Music Vancouver’s Summer Festival

VIFF Live announces 2026 program of film screenings, immersive concerts, and “reworlding”
VIFF Live announces 2026 program of film screenings, immersive concerts, and “reworlding”

The series includes appearances by Canadian and international artists, including throat-singing duo Silla, composer Kelly Moran, and experimental rock act Xiu Xiu

Early Music Vancouver artist in residence Marc Mauillon loves the challenge of 17th-century opera
Early Music Vancouver artist in residence Marc Mauillon loves the challenge of 17th-century opera

Tackling the title role in Monteverdi’s Orfeo as part of EMV’s Summer Festival requires a different approach, the French singer says—and a willingness to push beyond beautiful singing

Austin Powers swings, Andrea Superstein sings at VIFF Centre on July 25
Austin Powers swings, Andrea Superstein sings at VIFF Centre on July 25

As part of VIFF Live, Juno-nominated artist will perform a set of classic Burt Bacharach material before a screening of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Stir Cheat Sheet: 5 must-see acts at the Mission Folk Music Festival, July 24 to 26
Stir Cheat Sheet: 5 must-see acts at the Mission Folk Music Festival, July 24 to 26

Brass-band fusion, soul-stirring singer-songwriters, fiery fiddle, and more spread across the fest’s five stages on the scenic shores of the Fraser River

Music review: Main Stage highlights from Day 1 of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Music review: Main Stage highlights from Day 1 of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Stellar sets from Aysanabee, Hazlett, and Sahra Halgan got the 49th annual fest off to a great start, and the weather certainly didn’t hurt

Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini set to resound over Deer Lake at Opera in the Park, July 19
Verdi, Rossini, and Puccini set to resound over Deer Lake at Opera in the Park, July 19

Conducted by Jacques Lacombe, free outdoor concert goes Italian with a team of strong soloists

Vancouver’s socially conscious Buddie on evolving its sound beyond “grunge pop”
Vancouver’s socially conscious Buddie on evolving its sound beyond “grunge pop”

Performing at the Eastside Arts Festival, the indie-rock band says it has no intention of being pegged as strictly a ’90s throwback

At the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, the eclectic Valerie June promises a little bit of everything
At the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, the eclectic Valerie June promises a little bit of everything

The American singer-songwriter plays rock ’n’ roll, blues, folk, gospel, and country, along with well-chosen cover versions of songs by Nick Cave, Gillian Welch, and Duran Duran

Toronto-based Nastasia Y carries on a family tradition of song and rebellion, at Mission Folk Music Festival
Toronto-based Nastasia Y carries on a family tradition of song and rebellion, at Mission Folk Music Festival

The Ukrainian-born performer distills influences from Slavic folk to jazz and R&B into her music, as heard on her solo debut, Kyiv Soul

Canadian singer-songwriter Aysanabee is proud to be a role model for Indigenous youth
Canadian singer-songwriter Aysanabee is proud to be a role model for Indigenous youth

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival performer also tells us about his kick-ass band and the pressure he has put on himself as an award-winning recording artist

Concrete Vehicles’ noise-rockers specialize in music as unique as their band’s name
Concrete Vehicles’ noise-rockers specialize in music as unique as their band’s name

Intellectual-property disputes behind it, the project formerly known as Computer plays the Burrard Stage at this year’s Khatsahlano Street Party

Modern Biology is a conduit for the music of the forest, at Indian Summer Festival on July 13
Modern Biology is a conduit for the music of the forest, at Indian Summer Festival on July 13

For Tarun Nayar’s performance at VanDusen Botanical Garden, the festival invites attendees to settle in picnic-style and get into a meditative headspace

Fast-rising Punjabi singer Rashmeet Kaur is keen on eclectic sonic exploration
Fast-rising Punjabi singer Rashmeet Kaur is keen on eclectic sonic exploration

The Indian Summer Festival performer, who has collaborated with Major Lazer and contributed to Bollywood soundtracks, has forged some creative links to Canada’s West Coast

The sounds of Star Wars and Beethoven hit the waterfront at Symphony at Sunset, July 11
The sounds of Star Wars and Beethoven hit the waterfront at Symphony at Sunset, July 11

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra moves its wildly popular, free outdoor concert to David Lam Park this year

Stir Cheat Sheet: Beach concerts to artisan market, 5 happenings to hit at Harrison Festival of the Arts
Stir Cheat Sheet: Beach concerts to artisan market, 5 happenings to hit at Harrison Festival of the Arts

Hawksley Workman, plus mesmerizing cultural melds from El Balcón, Benin International Musical, and more

Vancouver’s Uncle Strut is doing its part to make guitar solos, and moustaches, cool again
Vancouver’s Uncle Strut is doing its part to make guitar solos, and moustaches, cool again

Headlining the Khatsahlano Street Party’s Burrard Stage, the fast-rising band is unafraid to spice up its surf-inspired indie rock with country, funk, and Latin elements

Celebrate Canada Day through events at these July 1 events around Metro Vancouver
Celebrate Canada Day through events at these July 1 events around Metro Vancouver

From Cloverdale to West Vancouver and all points in between, festivities span live music, drumming, kids’ activities, and no shortage of national pride

Early Music Vancouver concludes its 2026 Summer Festival with Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, August 7
Early Music Vancouver concludes its 2026 Summer Festival with Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, August 7

Violinist and guest director Rachel Podger performs alongside the Pacific Baroque Orchestra

Step through the looking glass and rock out to local music at the Khatsahlano Street Party, July 11
Step through the looking glass and rock out to local music at the Khatsahlano Street Party, July 11

Indie-rockers Uncle Strut, post-punk stars Concrete Vehicles, and soul powerhouse Leo D.E Johnson are among the talents hitting the Burrard Stage

MUSIC, WHAT'S STIRRINGJanet SmithVSO, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra