Virtuosi and the WSO Go Baroque

WINNIPEG¬‚ ’Äî Virtuosi Concerts and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra have once again collaborated to bring a 15-member ensemble led by concert master, Gwen Hoebig to Eckhardt-Gramattˆ© Hall. Due to the popularity of the group, two performances are scheduled: Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8pm and Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2pm.

For this performance we welcome, Maximilian Fleischman on harpsichord and piano forte. Fleischman earned his undergraduate degree in music history from Harvard University, where he was both a Leonard Bernstein Scholar and a Harvard National Scholar. He earned a second master's degree in Early Music from Oberlin College. He appears regularly as a soloist, chamber musician, and continuo player, performing repertoire spanning five centuries and four instruments.

Gwen Hoebig is recognized as one of Canada's most outstanding violinists. As a soloist with orchestra she has performed all the major violin concerti with orchestras across Canada, the United States and Europe. Hoebig joined the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as concertmaster in 1987, having been awarded the position as the unanimous choice of the audition committee.

Johann Sebastian Bach fathered 20 children and from among them, four significant musicians emerged. Our programme raises compelling questions: were Carl Philipp Emanuel, Wilhelm Friedemann, Johann Christian and Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach transitional musical figures or important composers in their own rights? How did they advance their compositional styles in the shadow of such a father? How did they break away from the traditions J.S. Bach embodied and how did they influence other composers? We felt the best way to attempt to reveal all of this is to hear their music, with the master’Äôs own as point of reference.

Programme: C.P.E. BACH Sinfonia in C major, Wq 182/3 ; J.S. BACH, Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041; W.F. BACH, Sinfonia in F major ’ÄúDissonant’Äù, F. 67; J.S. BACH, Cantata No. 29: Sinfonia; J. C. BACH, Keyboard Concerto in Eb major, Op 7, No. 5, C. 59 J.C.F. BACH, Symphony in D minor, W I/3, C. 4

Manitoba Celebrates a Kaleidoscope of Culture with 2010: The Concert

Winnipeg, MB ’Äì November 24, 2009 ’Äì All of Winnipeg is invited to celebrate the incredible year ahead by attending 2010: The Concert. This event, featuring a diverse and impressive array of talent, will leave Winnipeggers breathless and wanting more on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 8:10 p.m. at the Centennial Concert Hall. This unique concert, presented by The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO), Winnipeg Cultural Capital of Canada 2010, and Manitoba Homecoming 2010, is sure to attract people to hear their favourites, and give everyone something new to love.

The celebration, on January 2, 2010, is in honour of Winnipeg’Äôs recent designation as ’ÄúCultural Capital of Canada 2010’Äù by The Department of Canadian Heritage. ’ÄúI am elated to be working with the WSO and Manitoba Homecoming on 2010: The Concert,’Äù Carol Phillips, Executive Director of Winnipeg Arts Council, said about their partnership. ’ÄúWe have so much planned over the next 18 months that all Winnipeggers have something to look forward to!’Äù

The Cultural Capitals of Canada is a national program funded by the federal government through Canadian Heritage, to recognize and support Canadian municipalities for special activities that harness the many benefits of arts and culture in community life. Events are designed to intersect with the entire population of Winnipeg, from a free River Barge Festival at The Forks, a story-telling project in every neighbourhood, the first Canadian International Cello Festival, to a massive multi-site exhibition of contemporary indigenous art from around the world, and much more.

2010: The Concert will also celebrate the much anticipated arrival of Manitoba Homecoming 2010. ’ÄúWe are so proud to be a part of this initiative and the fit was perfect. What better way to start off the year than with this mosaic of talent. Manitobans will love the programming at 2010: The Concert. There is something for everyone!’Äù said Kevin Walters, Executive Director of Manitoba Homecoming 2010.

Manitoba Homecoming 2010 is going to be a year long celebration in 2010 to bring visitors and former and current Manitobans together for events, festivals and an all-around really great party! Manitoba Homecoming 2010 will focus on the rich culture and traditions of Manitoba through special events, festivals, cultural events and community gatherings along with an emphasis on the opportunity for business and careers. A marathon of events and celebrations will run throughout 2010 across the province. From partnerships with existing events and festivals to new stand alone events created specifically to celebrate Homecoming there truly will be something for everyone.

This event will also showcase the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’Äôs diversity in terms of its association with everyone in the larger community. The WSO is the celebrated hub of Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 100,000 audience members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence; it is an internationally recognized organization of artistic excellence and community relevance, and prides itself on delivering opportunities to bring music into people’Äôs lives.

’ÄúThis concert will rock,’Äù said Jean-Francois Phaneuf, Director of Artistic Operations at the WSO. ’ÄúAs one of the partners putting on this concert, we felt there was no better time than the beginning of the new year to kick off Winnipeg’Äôs fantastic cultural scene. Working with Kevin and Carol and their respective teams will be an exciting creative process for everyone. We can’Äôt wait to showcase what makes Winnipeg the epicentre of cultural excellence in Canada!’Äù

The tickets are affordably priced at $20.10 in order to be accessible to all Winnipeggers. The faster people buy tickets the better chance they have at choice seating.

The full roster of artists performing at 2010: The Concert includes (in alphabetical order):

• Steve Bell
• D.Rangers
• Eagle & Hawk
• Fubuki Daiko
• Monica Huisman
• James Keelaghan
• Steve & Anna-Lisa Kirby Jazz Quintet
• Momentum Aerial
• Daniel ROA
• Stacey Nattrass
• Sierra Noble
• Camerata Nova
• Fred Penner
• Royal Winnipeg Ballet
• Rusalka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
• The School of Contemporary Dancers
• Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Tickets go on sale on Saturday, November 28, 2009 for $20.10 (plus applicable fees) for all reserved seating. To purchase tickets, please call the WSO Box Office at 949-3999; go to www.wso.ca; call Ticketmaster at 780-3333 or go to www.ticketmaster.ca.

Foodies invited to join the WSO on a multicultural tour of music and food

Winnipeg, MB ’Äì October 26, 2009 ’Äì Winnipeg foodies are invited to explore the world of music and food as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) and four fine dining establishments partner up to provide lovers of fine cuisine and symphony music with a multicultural experience ’Äì all in one location at the Centennial Concert Hall.

The Winnipeg Symphony will be presenting a multicultural tour of food and music in partnership with: Bergmann’Äôs on Lombard, Fude, Bistro 7 ¬º and Lobby on York.
Each restaurant will be offering a three course meal that is themed to a specific WSO concert - thereby offering patrons a unique opportunity to explore cuisine from Russia, the New World, North America, Italy and Mexico.

’ÄúThe WSO wants to create memorable musical experiences for audience members. One way we can do this is by considering the opportunities to build other pleasurable components into a concert evening. Winnipeg has so many fine restaurants and chefs, and we can make it easy to explore new restaurants with cuisine inspired by the musical offerings in the concert,’Äù said Trudy Schroeder, Executive Director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

The dates of the five dining and concert experiences are as follows:

October 31
Dvorak’Äôs New World Symphony explores the multicultural blend of Native and African- American musical traditions in partnership with Bergmann’Äôs on Lombard (dinner at 5:30 pm)
Click here to listen to the Musically Speaking radio show on CJOB. In this clip, Executive Chef Dave Bergmann discusses the process of creating the menu of this Saturday's Dinner and a Symphony and how it complements the music.

Maple Roast Butternut Squash Soup with Pumpkin Seed Foam
Olive ~ Rosemary Marinated Breast of Chicken with Shallot Infused Cabernet Jus Set on Wild Mushroom Spiked Risotto
Vegetarian: Roasted Portabella, Bell Pepper and Goat Cheese Tower with Roasted Tomato & Chick Pea Ragout
Cheesecake with Brandy Snap Lime Spiced Fieldberry Coulis

November 8
Music of Freedom explores spirit raising and soul lifting music inspired by freedom and hope in partnership with Bergmann’Äôs on Lombard (brunch at 11:30 am)
Sundried Tomato, Asparagus and Bothwell Cheese Quiche with’Ä®Truffle Scented Chive Emulsion & Pea Shoots’Ä®Roasted Gourmet Potatoes, Petit Beef Tenderloin Medallion’Ä®Fresh Fruit Brochette
Vegetarian: As above along with Roasted Portabella Mushroom and Polenta Tower replacing Petit Beef Tenderloin Medallion
Lemon Curd Tart with Ruby Red Raspberry Coulis

January 23
Rhythm & Heat explores the exotic flavours and rhythms from Mexico, Spain and Egypt in partnership with Fude (dinner at 5:30 pm)
Cardini Salad ’Ä®(fude version of classic Caesar)’Ä® Field greens, leaf lettuce and artichoke hearts, tossed with house made cardini vinaigrette, topped with fresh parmesan cheese
Chili Chocolate Chicken with Cayenne Cream’Ä®Manitoba free range chicken breast, seared then grilled to finish, slathered in a house made dark chocolate sauce off-set with a spicy cayenne cream and chilies. Served with our featured potatoes & featured veggies
Or
Boomerang Gorang’Ä®
An Indonesian classic reworked Manitoba-style, curried basmati & Lac du Bonnet wild rice sautˆ©ed in exclusive ’Äúboom’Äù sauce with celery, red peppers, red onion & bananas, topped with mango, pineapple, tart apples to bring on the cool house- made rhubarb chutney (vegan friendly)
Grand Marnier-Callebaut Chocolate Mousse Flute

February 20
Boreyko and Russian Masters explores the monumental and raw with former WSO music director Andrey Boreyko in partnership with Bistro 7 ¼ (dinner at 5:30 pm). Menu to follow.

May 15
Pines, Fountains & Festivals explores the colour and pageantry of Rome brought to life through Respighi’Äôs stunning orchestral trilogy in partnership with Lobby on York (dinner at 5:30 pm). Menu to follow.

Prices are $85 per person for each event (includes meal and a ticket to the concert).

Winnipeg High School Students get Up Close & Orchestral with the WSO

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is the celebrated hub of Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 100,000 audience members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence. The WSO presents educational programs for more than 25,000 students annually and tours outside the city reaching out to communities across Manitoba.

Winnipeg, MB - ’Äú The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’Äôs (WSO) Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate and the WSO will go back to school as the Up Close and Orchestral program enters its fourth year on Tuesday, October 6 with a 2:10 PM performance at Miles Macdonell Collegiate. The program runs from October 6 to October 9 and will see the WSO performing in six different public school divisions, including a school in the Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine, as well as one independent school.’Ä®’Ä®’ÄúWe’Äôre thrilled to build on the excitement we’Äôve generated in the last three years of the program, says Tanya Derksen, the WSO’Äôs Director of Education and Outreach. ’ÄúUp Close and Orchestral is a terrific way for students to get to know the musicians of the WSO and to develop an appreciation for the music.’Äù’Ä®’Ä®

The WSO’Äôs Up Close and Orchestral program is designed to introduce high school students to orchestral music in a unique, up close and personal way. The performances will also feature Brandon’Äôs Justin Hickmott, winner of the WSO’Äôs Student Soloist Competition. Justin will perform a movement of Vaughan Williams’Äô Tuba Concerto in the schools with the WSO.’Ä®’Ä®

Students from participating schools are also invited to attend the WSO’Äôs October 30 Masterworks concert, Dvorak’Äôs New World Symphony.’Ä®’Ä®

Up Close and Orchestral program schedule’Ä®’Ä®
Tuesday, October 6’Ä®
Miles Macdonell Collegiate - Performance at 2:10 PM’Ä®’Ä®
Wednesday, October 7’Ä®St. John’Äôs-
Ravenscourt School - Performance at 10:30 AM’Ä®
Collˆ®ge Jeanne-Sauvˆ© - Performance at 2:00 PM
’Ä®’Ä®Thursday, October 8’Ä®
Oak Park High School - Performance at 10:30 AM’Ä®
St. James Collegiate - Performance at 2:00 PM
’Ä®’Ä®Friday, October 9
’Ä®Centre scolaire Lˆ©o-Rˆ©millard - Performance at 10:30 AM’Ä®
R.B. Russell Vocational School - Performance at 2:00 PM

’Ä®’Ä®Up Close and Orchestral is a program that makes a direct connection with high school students. Led by our talented and vibrant conductors, more than 3500 students receive a rare opportunity to meet the WSO and experience an ’Äòup close and personal’Äô orchestra performance in their school.

WSO Remembers World Renowned Pops Conductor

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is saddened to recognize the passing of former WSO Pops Conductor Erich Kunzel. Kunzel was the Pops director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra from 1981 to 1999, he presented many diverse programs that drew large audiences to the Concert Hall. Kunzel has served as the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra music director since 1977 where he has produced several highly rated television specials and received world wide acclaim for his numerous recordings. During his tenure at the WSO, Kunzel released two WSO recordings in 1985 and 1986 Kunzel on Broadway and More Kunzel on Broadway. Kunzel had a reputation among audiences and musicians alike of delivering electrifying shows that were as precise as they were passionate.

’ÄùI am deeply saddened hearing of Erich Kunzel's passing due to cancer. I remember him as a real dynamo on the podium, able to push his way through mountains of repertoire with a flair and exuberance which is rarely seen. His concerts with the WSO were real events which audiences appreciated. Many times his programming was very difficult for the orchestra, especially when the rehearsal schedule allowed for only a minimum amount of time for preparation before a concert, but his energy and clarity on the podium allowed for great performances. Also, his ability of speaking so easily to an audience always enhanced the concert. For the Pops audiences across North America he was truly the Prince of Pops. Farewell.’Äù said Principal Flute and board member Jan Kocman.

Erich Kunzel was diagnosed with liver, colon and pancreatic cancer in April but continued conducting while undergoing treatment. He died Tuesday morning at a hospital near his home in Swan's Island, Maine.

WSO Opens with Tchaikovsky's Answer to Beethoven's 5th

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will kick off its 2009-2010 season on September 26 with a concert featuring essential classical music at its best.

Opening Night! Tchaikovsky 4 features renowned soloist Cho-Liang Lin performing Sibelius’Äô Violin Concerto. Lins’Äô recording of the work is considered one the world’Äôs best - it was awarded a top rating in the foremost directory of recorded classical music, the Penguin Guide.

The concert will be capped off with Tchaikovsky’Äôs popular Symphony No. 4. Said to be Tchaikovsky’Äôs response to Beethoven’Äôs 5th symphony, the work is powerfully emotional and introspective. WSO Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate will conduct the evening.

’ÄúSymphony No. 4 deals extensively with the idea of fate and is an intensely personal reflection of the composer’Äôs being,’Äù said Mickelthwate.

After reporting a surplus for the 2008-09 year, Mickelthwate is looking forward to another strong season both financially and artistically.

’ÄúWe have got some fantastic concerts lined up this season. I am especially looking forward to our Pops series where we will be fusing our amazing orchestra with several different musical styles and arts media,’Äù said Mickelthwate.

Both Mickelthwate and Composer-in-Residence Vincent Ho have signed on to new three-year terms with the WSO. They will be joined this year by new Resident Conductor Richard Lee, who comes to Winnipeg from the Quebec Symphony Orchestra. Lee’Äôs first conducting assignment with the WSO will be opening night of the Pops series, Cirque de la Symphonie, on October 2.

’ÄúI am so excited to make my official debut with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra conducting the first Pops program of the season, Cirque de la Symphonie. It is wonderful that we can bring such a visually stimulating show to the Concert Hall. This would be impossible without the great collaboration of circus artistry and orchestra. We are literally risking life and limb to bring audiences this performance.’Äù
- Richard Lee, WSO Resident Conductor

The WSO performs Opening Night! Tchaikovsky 4 on Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27 at 8 pm. Individual tickets, ranging from $29 to $75, go on sale Tuesday, September 8. Season ticket packages are still available.

For tickets, contact
WSO Box Office (949-3999 or boxoffice@wso.mb.ca)
WSO website (www.wso.ca)
Ticketmaster (780-3333 or www.ticketmaster.ca)

WSO Supports Heart Month- Tchaikovsky 6

[] Tchaikovsky 6 Friday, February 13 at 8pm Centennial Concert Hall Saturday, February 14 at 8pm Centennial Concert Hall Sunday, February 15 at 3pm Brandon Western Manitoba Auditorium Featuring - Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor Gwen Hoebig, violin February 5, 2009 -- To commemorate Heart Month, The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will give back to the Heart and Stroke Foundation on Valentine’Äôs Day with Dinner and a Symphony, a stunning concert package featuring WSO Concertmaster Gwen Hoebig as our featured soloist and Tchaikovsky’Äôs 6th and final symphony. As part of the package, concertgoers can enjoy a three-course dinner (beef or vegetarian menu options) at the Concert Hall prior to the concert. A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will be given to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. The concert features Gwen Hoebig performing Hungarian composer Bˆ©la Bartˆ„k’Äôs optimistic Violin Concerto No. 2, a piece with which Gwen has a very personal history. In 1992, she studied the concerto with Zoltˆ°n Szˆ©kely, a friend of musical collaborator of Bartˆ„k’Äôs and the violin virtuoso who commissioned and premiered the work. In the concert’Äôs second half, the WSO performs Tchaikovsky’Äôs Symphony No. 6 (Pathˆ©tique). Premiering just nine days before his death, Tchaikovsky was convinced this was his greatest masterpiece, writing ’Äúwithout exaggeration, I have put my whole soul into this work.’Äù Tchaikovsky 6 takes place on Friday, January 13 and Saturday, January 14 at 8pm at the Centennial Concert Hall and Sunday, January 15 at 3pm at the Western Manitoba Auditorium in Brandon. Concert tickets range from $26.25 to $61.00 and are available through the WSO box office at 949-3999, online at www.wso.mb.ca or at any Ticketmaster outlet. The Valentine’Äôs Day dinner (February 14) begins at 5:30pm - tickets for the Dinner and a Symphony package start at $75.00 per person and the deadline for booking is Tuesday, February 10. Rehearsals Wednesday, February 11 1:30 to 4pm Thursday, February 12 10am to 12:30pm For additional information, photos or to schedule interviews please contact Sheena Stemler Marketing & Communications Coordinator (204) 949-3970 (204) 290-7484 sstemler@wso.mb.ca The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is the celebrated hub of Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 100,000 audience members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence. The WSO presents educational programs for more than 25,000 students annually and tours outside the city reaching out to communities across Manitoba.

WSO Carnival of the Animals - January 18

Music students give back during Carnival of the Animals Wednesday, January 7, 2009 ’Äì On January 18, during the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concert Carnival of the Animals (part of the Great-West Life Sundays with the Family series), Music for Young Children, a coalition of Manitoba music teachers who seek to promote the benefits of learning music for young people, will present a cheque to the Firefighters Burn Fund ’Äì the result of its Pennies for Practice fundraiser. Pennies for Practice is an annual fundraiser during which parents are asked to donate a penny for every minute their child practices music over a 4 to 6 week period. Hundreds of Manitoba music students, along with their teachers, will be in attendance for the concert. The concert itself tells a story any music student can relate to ’Äì a day when you would rather daydream than practice your instrument. In the main character’Äôs daydream, his toys come to life and transform into enormous animals, animated by Bob Brown Puppets. Bob and Judy Brown have been entertaining children with imaginative puppets for over 50 years and appeared regularly on Mister Roger’Äôs Neighborhood. All of this action is set to Camile Saint-Saens’Äô Carnival of the Animals ’Äì A symphony of 14 movements, each representing a different group of animals including lions, elephants, kangaroos and swans. The whimsical, playful music has made Carnival of the Animals a children’Äôs classic and Saint-Saens’Äô most popular work. The concert will be led by WSO Assistant Conductor Rei Hotoda. Carnival of the Animals plays Sunday, January 18 at 2pm. Pre-concert activities (hosted by Music for Young Children) begin at 1pm in the Concert Hall lobby. Tickets range from $11.40 to $26 and are available through the WSO box office at 949-3999, online at www.wso.mb.ca or at any Ticketmaster outlet. For additional information, photos or to schedule interviews please contact Sheena Stemler Marketing & Communications Coordinator (204) 949-3970 (204) 290-7484 sstemler@wso.mb.ca The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is the celebrated hub of Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 100,000 audience members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence. The WSO presents educational programs for more than 25,000 students annually and tours outside the city reaching out to communities across Manitoba.