FEBRUARY 17, 18   8:00 PM

Copland: Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes
Barber: Violin Concerto
Bernstein: On the Town: Three Dance Episodes
Copland: Appalachian Spring

Richard Lee, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin

“Mr. Hadelich stands out amid gifted young violinists for his prodigious technique, gorgeous tone and his ability to deliver well-known works with a distinctive interpretive flair.” – New York Times

American composers are featured in this colourful and vividly themed program. We welcome fast-rising star Augustin Hadelich in his WSO debut along with Richard Lee, in a program featuring the works of Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber and Leonard Bernstein. Fast-rising star Hadelich will bring his distinctive interpretive flair to his WSO debut when he performs Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, which is a landmark American Romantic work, ripe with virtuosity for the soloist.

American maestro Larry Rachleff, who was originally scheduled to conduct this weekend, regrettably cancelled due to family circumstances. The WSO is proud to have resident conductor Richard Lee on the podium for the three concerts – Friday/Saturday at the Centennial Concert Hall and Sunday in Brandon (Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium).

Opening the program is Copland’s Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, followed by Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto which is a landmark American Romantic work ripe with virtuosity for the soloist. In Leonard Bernstein’s On the Town, we go to razzmatazz New York City, inimitably scored as only Bernstein could.

Written for Martha Graham’s dance company, Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring is the story of love and marriage: poignant and quiet, spiritual and joyful with its famous Shaker theme Simple Gifts a part of American vernacular.

MASTERWORKS A: Pre-Concert Chat hosted by resident conductor Richard Lee and Augustin Hadelich on the Piano Nobile Level 45 minutes prior to concert.

Single tickets are on sale now at the WSO Box Office, 949-3999 or online.