ARTS – ‘Russian Innovators’ wraps up season for Kamloops Symphony

Pianist Sheng Cai.

The Kamloops Symphony’s final concert of the 2017/18 season is Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Sagebrush Theatre. Russian Innovators presents the lyricism, harmonies, and individuality of Russian composers Shostakovich and Borodin, plus the French-style orchestration of Canada’s Pierre Mercure.

Joining the KSO is piano soloist Sheng Cai, who will perform Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto #2.  Since his debut with the Toronto Symphony at just 15 years old, Sheng Cai has since performed as guest soloist with numerous orchestras worldwide, such as Quebec Symphony, Windsor Symphony, Fort Collins Symphony, New Bedford Symphony and Shanghai Symphony, as well as with the Calgary Philharmonic, Ontario Philharmonic, Jalisco Philharmonic of Mexico and many others.

He was recently described as “the most electrifying soloist of the season” by South Coast Today in Massachusetts.  Born in China, Sheng studied at Shanghai conservatory of Music and was a top-prize winner of the National Competition in 1998.

The following year, his family immigrated to Canada where he began study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.  Sheng Cai earned his Bachelor of Music degree under full scholarship at New England Conservatory in Boston.

Opening the concert is Mercure’s Kaléidoscope.  The concert concludes with Borodin’s Symphony #1.

There will be a free open dress rehearsal, sponsored by BDO, on Saturday, May 5 at 1 p.m. in Sagebrush Theatre.

Tickets to this Noran Masterworks concert are $42, $39 Seniors, $10 Students (under 19), $15 TD Soundcheck Members (19-34), and can be purchased from Kamloops Live! Box Office.