Season Opener!
RACHMANINOV & DVOŘÁK
September 23 · 8:00 PM
September 24 · 8:00 PM
Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 is on everyone’s short list of the most popular piano concertos ever written, and we are proud to be joined by the eminent American pianist Horacio Gutierrez to open our season. The second half of this concert is exuberantly Czech, overflowing with melody and rousingly good spirits, with Dvorák’s Symphony No. 8.
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2
Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G major
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Horacio Gutierrez, piano
ALL SHOSTAKOVICH
Friday, October 28 · 8:00 PM
Saturday, October 29 · 8:00 PM
The WSO is honoured to present an all-Shostakovich program conducted by the composer’s son Maxim Shostakovich, a pre-eminent conductor of his father’s music. Multi-faceted, deeply spiritual yet brilliantly virtuosic and immediately accessible for the listener, we are proud to also showcase Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 performed by Korbinian Altenberger.
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich: Hamlet: Incidental Music
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9
Maxim Shostakovich, conductor
Korbinian Altenberger, violin
MATHIEU & SIBELIUS
Friday, December 2 · 8:00 PM
Saturday, December 3 · 8:00 PM
Our program features Mathieu’s most ambitious, ardently Romantic work, performed by the composer’s leading supporter, Alain Lefèvre. Sibelius’ Second Symphony is the most famous of the Finnish composer’s seven symphonies and an unforgettable Romantic journey. As a transition from the youthful to the mature Sibelius, it makes an ideal companion on this uniquely special program.
André Mathieu: Piano Concerto No. 4
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Alain Lefèvre, piano
Concert media sponsor: Espace Musique 89.9
AMERICAN MASTERS
Friday, February 17 · 8:00 PM
Saturday, February 18 · 8:00 PM
American composers are featured in this colourful and vividly themed program and we welcome the fast-rising star Augustin Hadelich in his WSO debut, along with WSO Resident Conductor Richard Lee, in a program featuring the works of American composers Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber and Leonard Bernstein.
Copland: Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes
Barber: Violin Concerto
Bernstein: On the Town: Three Dance Episodes
Copland: Appalachian Spring
Richard Lee, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Purchase:
DAWN UPSHAW
Friday, March 23 · 8:00 PM
Saturday, March 24 · 8:00 PM
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.
Debussy: Printemps
Canteloube: Chants d’Auvergne (selections)
Golijov: Three Songs for Soprano and Orchestra
Stravinsky: The Firebird: Suite
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Dawn Upshaw, soprano
Purchase:
MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 2
Friday, May 4 · 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 5 · 8:00 pm
It took six years for Mahler to write his monumental ‘Resurrection’ Symphony and his Symphony No. 2 is an overwhelming experience and an unforgettable journey. Ten horns, eight trumpets plus a massive orchestra, wonderful soloists and chorus will bring Mahler’s immortal music alive in this not-to-be-missed season-closing event.
Mahler: Symphony No. 2 (Resurrection)
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Monica Huisman, soprano
Anita Krause, mezzo-soprano
Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, Yuri Klaz, conductor
