Vancouver Symphony Orchestra honors COVID-19 victims

NORTH SALMON CREEK — The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performed for an audience of zero at the Skyview Concert Hall on Jan. 17 to honor victims of COVID-19. The tribute was featured by “PBS News Hour” and streamed on its YouTube channel, which has 2.5 million subscribers. The orchestra performed Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings,” a song associated with mourning. The piece was performed at Albert Einstein’s funeral, as well as in honor of President John F. Kennedy. The United States most recently surpassed 500,000 deaths from COVID-19. Guest conductor at the concert was Sarah Ioannides, the music director of Symphony Tacoma. “It is as meaningful today as it ever was, with its epic journey from quiet, soft passages of reflection to searing pain,” Ioannides said of “Adagio for Strings,” according to Joshua Barajas of “PBS News Hour.” “But it ends on a note of hope and optimism reflecting today’s world.” Watch the full performance at https://youtu.be/UCcR2Qj9OS8.