Ian Parker, a member of the Parker family dynasty of virtuosic concert pianists, was born and raised in Vancouver, schooled at Juilliard in New York and now divides his time between performances around the world and his homes and studios in New York City and Vancouver.
And on Feb. 10, Langley audiences will get the opportunity to hear him perform.
Youthful, dynamic, flamboyant and expressive, globe-trotting Parker’s energy is contagious. For the Langley concert, Parker will pull out all the stops as he plays one of his all-time favourites, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue when Kwantlen Polytechnic Orchestra in Residence presents Mozart and Friends, on Friday, Feb. 10.
Considered a musical portrait of New York City, Rhapsody combines elements of classical music and jazz.
“Rhapsody in Blue is so passionate,” says Parker.
“Every emotion is in it. As I get older I sometimes feel differently about various passages. It is thrilling and exciting with moments of beauty. It takes piano playing to a different level of richness.”
Melodic passages from Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20, the concerto made famous in the movie Amadeus will follow, along with performances by Kwantlen faculty members Paolo Bortolussi on flute and Maria Whelton on harp.
To round out this concert, the Kwantlen Polytechnic Orchestra-In-Residence performs the overture to the opera The Marriage of Figaro and a movement from the popular Symphony No. 29.
While Bortolussi and Whelton are Kwantlen faculty, teaching musicians of the future is also a keen interest for Parker.
“My 82-year-old dad, Edward Parker, has been teaching since I can remember, and he’s been a steering force with the Royal Oak Conservatory for many years. Recently I have taken on more of a role there, which is why I’m spending more time in Vancouver," said Parker.
"I do enjoy teaching and I have some incredibly talented students. This generation is so virtual. Through music we can introduce humanness, to love the moment, like the glowing of the sun setting over the mountains, the colour and nuances.”
To see and hear Parker, Bortolussi, Whelton, Clark and a program of magical music in this masterful Mozart and Friends concert, call Kwantlen 604-599-3315 or Long and McQuade at 604-530-8704. Tickets are: Adults $25, Seniors $22 and Students $15.
For more information about Ian Parker visit his web site at ianparker.ca.
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Kwantlen Polytechnic Orchestra-In-Residence presents Mozart and Friends, featuring Ian Parker, piano, Paolo Bortolussi, flute, Maria Whelton, harp and Andrew Clark, French horn, in a concert conducted by Calvin Dyck
Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Kwantlen Auditorium at Glover Road and the Langley Bypass
Tickets are $25/$23/$15, and are available by calling KPU at 604-599-3315 or Long & McQuade at 604-530-8704.