Radiohead on the roster as Leslie Dala plays piano recital at Behind the Keys, February 13

Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs’ Valentine’s fundraiser program spans Christopher O’Riley’s arrangements of the band’s songs and Mozart’s Fantasia in C minor

Leslie Dala

 
 
 

Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs presents Behind the Keys at the Annex on February 13 at 7:30 pm

 

VALENTINE’S DAY IS fast approaching—and Vancouver’s music scene is conjuring up its most serene, romantic programs for the occasion.

Among the offerings is Behind the Keys, the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs’ annual fundraising event. Leslie Dala, music director of the organization’s adult choirs, will take a break from conducting to perform an intimate piano recital on the evening of February 13. He’ll open the program with Mozart’s imaginative Fantasia in C minor, a piece that begins mysteriously and gives way to full-blown romanticism. A selection of Brahms piano miniatures will follow.

Dala will conclude his program by playing a series of Radiohead songs arranged by American classical pianist Christoper O’Riley. The English band’s tracks like “Fake Plastic Trees” and “Motion Picture Soundtrack”—already poignant pieces of music that are sweeping in emotional reach—become all the more tender when they’re given full devotion by a pianist, as demonstrated by O’Riley on his tribute albums True Love Waits and Hold Me to This (have a listen below). All that makes Dala’s live rendition worth looking forward to.

Each ticket to Behind the Keys includes a glass of wine and a chocolate, and optional charcuterie boards are available for an additional cost. Tickets are priced on a sliding scale for folks who wish to donate different amounts to the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs.

This month, local audiences can also see Dala in action conducting Mozart—he’ll be holding the baton as Vancouver Opera performs a vintage-Canadian Così fan tutte on February 7, 12, and 15.  

 
 
 

 
 
 

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