Kaija Saariaho: Graal Théâtre for violin and orchestra
Giya Kancheli: Styx, for viola, choir and orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Jennifer Koh, violinist
Daniel Scholz, viola
Graal Théâtre (1997), an explosive violin concerto, with Jennifer Koh as the soloist, closed the concert. This 30-minute concerto combines visceral power and sheer beauty. Ms. Koh gave a stunning, high-energy account of the almost continuous solo line. – New York Times
The music (Styx) first transfixes, then scalds, and when consolation intervenes it feels multi-faceted and somehow palpably wise. – Gramophone
Winner of the Grammy Award and Musician of the Year Award (2008, Musical Americas), Kaija Saariaho has become one of “the few contemporary composers to achieve public acclaim as well as universal critical respect.” We are excited to present to you her monumental work Graal Théâtre for violin and orchestra, a raptly beautiful work that showcases the violin’s shimmering sound world of both transience and dramatic force. Also featured is Giya Kancheli’s most celebrated work Styx (scored for choir, viola and orchestra), a work of great spirituality filled with haunting aural images, varied colors and textures, sharp contrasts and shattering climaxes.
MASTERWORKS C: Pre-Concert Chat hosted by music director Alexander Mickelthwate and guests on the Piano Nobile Level at 7:15 pm.
Single tickets are on sale now at the WSO Box Office, 949-3999 or online.
Sponsored by:
Masterworks: Jóhannsson & Sveinsson
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 8:00 PM
Jóhann Jóhannsson: A Prayer to the Dynamo (World premiere)*
Atli Heimir Sveinsson: Symphony No.2 (North American premiere)
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Jóhann Jóhannsson, computer
Prairie Voices; Vic Pankratz, director
W are proud to present two monumental works by two of Iceland’s leading composers. Jóhann Jóhannsson joins us for the world premiere of his work, A Prayer to the Dynamo, commissioned by the WSO. Known for his ethereal colours and sonorous harmonies, Jóhannsson’s new piece will leave you breathless as he takes you on an emotional musical journey. To conclude our Festival, we bring you a major musical event: Atli Heimir Sveinsson’s Symphony No. 2. Hailed as an Icelandic masterpiece, Sveinsson’s magnificent work makes its North American premiere tonight with Winnipeg’s own Prairie Voices and an extended WSO.
MASTERWORKS B: Pre-Concert Chat hosted by music director Alexander Mickelthwate or guest conductors on the Piano Nobile Level at 7:15 pm.
*Commissioned by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra with the assistance of the Danish Arts Foundation
Single tickets are on sale now at the WSO Box Office, 949-3999 or online.
Sponsored by:
Dinner & A Symphony, Feb 11: For Michael: The Music of Michael Jackson & Bergmann’s On Lombard
A gourmet journey of fine food and symphony music in partnership with Bergmann’s on Lombard all in one location at the Centennial Concert Hall.
With Michael Jackson classics like Billy Jean,Off the Wall, Beat It, The Way You Make Me Feel, Thriller, Ben, Never Can Say Goodbye, Man in the Mirror and so much more, this show will have you reaching for your white glove and sparkle shoes so you can dance up a storm in the aisles.
Menu for Valentine’s weekend with American cuisine
“BLT” Cobb Style Salad with Mustard Dressing
Thyme-Butter Rubbed & Roasted Turkey, Sultana-Sage Dressing, Cranberry Speckled Pan Gravy, Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
or Vegetarian: Classic Mac & Cheese
Red Velvet Cake with Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Frosting
Prices:
$85 per person for each evening (includes a meal and a ticket to the concert for Section 4 seating)
$60 per person for those who already have a ticket to the concert
Dinner & A Symphony, Mar 24: Dawn Upshaw & Bergmann’s On Lombard
A gourmet journey of fine food and symphony music in partnership with Bergmann’s on Lombard all in one location at the Centennial Concert Hall.
Joining rare natural warmth with a fierce commitment to the transforming power of music, Dawn Upshaw has achieved worldwide celebrity as a singer of opera and concert repertoire ranging from the sacred works of Bach to the freshest sounds of today.
Menu of French cuisine
Salade Vertes: “Green Salad” with Shallot-Red Wine Vinaigrette, Crispy Onion Ring Garnish
Breast of Chicken Stuffed with Apple & Brie, Cabernet Sauce, Shredded Dauphinoise Potatoes, Roast Asparagus
Prices:
$85 per person for each evening (includes a meal and a ticket to the concert for Section 4 seating)
$60 per person for those who already have a ticket to the concert
WSO to play Carnegie Hall
Winnipeg Free Press
January 24, 2012
Shane Minkin
How does the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice — and a few thousand clicks of a mouse.
The WSO announced Monday that it is one of six major regional orchestras heading to the famous New York City venue in 2014 for the fourth annual Spring for Music (S4M) festival. The orchestra plans to perform pieces from its New Music Festival, including Derek Charke’s 13 Inuit Throat Song Games featuring throat singer Tanya Tagaq, WSO composer-in-residence Vincent Ho’s The Shaman: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra featuring Dame Evelyn Glennie, as well as R. Murray Schafer’s Symphony No. 1.
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra got its groove on Friday night as its latest pops concert, Hot, Hot, Hot! A Night at the Copa, promised to put the sizzle in symphony.
The booty-shaking concert featured husband-and-wife team of Andrzej and Jennifer Przybyl with the orchestra led by Grammy-winning conductor/pianist/composer/arranger Victor Vanacore. The 14-number program showcased Vanacore’s orchestral arrangements of Latin hits such as Malaguena as well as twists on more classic fare like Over the Rainbow and a nifty take on Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Samba in Blue.
After a brief orchestral opener, Hot Hot Hot, the mostly older crowd had their first taste of the long-limbed dancers in Oye Como Van/Patricia as they spun and twisted their way through the Cuban-inspired medley. The Polish-born Andrzej Przybyl has won international competitions including the Rising Star Latin Dancing Championships, before teaming with his wife, Jennifer, whom he met after coming to the U.S. in 2002. The two are now based in Detroit, Mich., where they continue to tour and teach.
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra: Pianist Alain Lefevre chats about his debut with the WSO Dec 2-3
Canadian Pianist Alain Lefèvre chats about his debut with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra December 2-3, 2011. He will be performing Canadian composer André Mathieu’s Piano Concerto No. 4, led by Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra – Len Cariou on where the idea for his all new WSO concert came from
Winnipeg actor Len Cariou returns home to debut with the WSO in an all-new concert featuring the music of Stephen Sondheim. Dry Cold Productions are on board too. Here, Len talks about where the idea for the concert came from.
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