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

Winnipeg Debut of Pianist, Ang Li

WINNIPEG¬‚ - On Saturday, October 3, 2009, Virtuosi Concerts will host the western Canadian debut of classical pianist, Ang Li. CBC radio will also record this Winnipeg concert.

Li has performed on some of the most recognized stages across China, Europe, and North America. 2009 has been busy for the 24-year-old. In February, she made her Hong Kong debut performing Chopin's 2nd Piano Concerto, followed by 3 concerts with the Fort Worth Symphony performing Beethoven's 4th Piano Concerto. This summer, Li performed at the Lanaudiere International Music Festival, returning to Canada for the first time since 2008.

From her earliest public appearance at the Beijing Concert Hall at age six, Li has grown up with the piano. "One of my biggest challenges over the last couple of years was transitioning from being a conservatory student to an independent artist, " says Li. "There was a time when I felt very much on my own with the music I was preparing for concerts, competitions and recordings. It pushed me to bring out a more defined musical character."

Programme: MOZART, Fantasia in C minor, KV 475a ;RACHMANINOFF, ˆâtudes-Tableaux, Op 33, Nos 2, 8,9; LISZT, Aprˆ®s une Lecture de Dante Fantasia quasi Sonata; SCHUBERT, Piano Sonata in B-flat major, D.960

Concert Information: 8PM, Eckhardt-Grammattˆ© Hall, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave. www.virtuosi.mb.ca . For Tickets call 786-9000: Adults $29 / Full-time post-secondary students $10/ High-School students $5 (subject to availability at door.

L'Affair Chocolat February 7th

Celebrate the Month of Romance with l 'Affaire Chocolat:

The 6th Annual Fundraiser for Virtuosi Concerts

On February 7th, 2009, Virtuosi Concerts will be hosting its annual fundraiser l'Affaire Chocolat at The Manitoba Museum.

The evening will include marvelous wines, chocolate martinis, special savouries, delicious desserts and of course delectable chocolate from this year's chocolatier Constance Popp.

As a special added treat guests will be invited to swing and sway to the sounds of the Janice Finlay Quintet performing on The Nonsuch!

Now in its sixth year, l'Affaire Chocolat has gone in a new direction. Discover your "Coco-Sutra"as this year's event offers a unique venue, first class entertainment, hand-made chocolate, wines and hors d'oeuvres. The change in venue to the Manitoba Museum provides a feast for the eyes as you stroll through the twists and turns of the galleries. Let your senses be dazzled by various entertainers, high-end wines, gourmet tastes and chocolates that will pop up around every corner.

"We want people to indulge; treat themselves to something they normally wouldn't do. We want them to leave feeling pampered, with a sense of value and enjoyment while contributing to the arts. That's what it's all about," says Louise Friesen, Chair of l'Affaire Chocolat.

Tickets for this elegant, fun, entertaining and memorable affair are $75 each. To purchase tickets please visit McNally Robinson or contact the Virtuosi office at 786-9000.