Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall

THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG’S INTERNATIONAL RECITAL & CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT SERIES

It has been a quarter century since we received an invitation from CBC Radio Producer Jim Hiscott to develop a new classical music series in Winnipeg suitable for national broadcast. We called it Virtuosi Concerts, co-presented by CBC and The University of Winnipeg. It was not an instant success. One concert in the initial year had an audience of twelve people (including me and my family!).

Neither Jim nor I could imagine then that Virtuosi Concerts would evolve to become “The University of Winnipeg’s International Recital & Chamber Music Concert Series” – culminating in this spectacular anniversary season of 2015-2016 with several hundred loyal subscribers.

We started in Holy Trinity Church, moved to the Winnipeg Art Gallery and then, thanks to a generous gift from Dr. Ferdinand Eckhardt (1902-1995), we redesigned a lecture hall at The University of Winnipeg – transforming it into Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall – and along the way, acquired a splendid Steinway concert grand piano. The hall opened in 1993 and was lovingly dedicated in memory of Dr. Eckhardt’s wife, the composer/pianist/violinist Sophie Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté (1899-1974).

Dear Friends

“An unforgettable experience and you find many at Virtuosi Concerts.”

“This was unbelievable from the first to the last note! What a concert!”

“Gorgeous concert! Merci Mille Fois!!!”

“As close to perfection as I expect to hear for a long time to come.”

The Audience as Critic

And so, here we are today, with an expanded global vision which remains faithful to our original mandate of presenting artists of national and international profile – this season from Russia, New Zealand, Ukraine, Israel, Denmark, the United States, and across Canada.

For 25 years, with the support of The University of Winnipeg, four University of Winnipeg presidents, the Virtuosi Board of Directors, dedicated staff, and a tireless group of volunteers, we have shared countless unforgettable musical evenings which have enriched our lives.

We thank you for your support over the last 25 years and we hope to continue the rich musical tradition that is Virtuosi Concerts for (at least) another 25!

Harry Strub Artistic Director

In addition, our audiences are able to meet the musicians following each performance, while enjoying a glass of wine, coffee and sweets. As a result, Virtuosi Concerts has been affectionately referred to as “Music with Friends.”

The Board of Directors and I invite you to embrace The Virtuosi Experience and become a season ticket subscriber. Your patronage ensures that Virtuosi Concerts will continue to make internationally acclaimed musicians available to Winnipeg audiences. We know that you will enjoy your experience and quickly find that Virtuosi Concerts becomes an integral part of your concert-going schedule.

We look forward to seeing you at our concerts.

Ian B. Scarth President-Elect Virtuosi Concerts

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & VICE CHANCELLORI would like to congratulate Virtuosi Concerts on presenting 25 years of unsurpassed musical performances at The University of Winnipeg.

Virtuosi has consistently offered its audiences a broad range of artists and composers who transcend borders and centuries. UWinnipeg is honoured to have been part of this distinguished concert series since its inception.

UWinnipeg continues to support the revitalization of our downtown along with academic excellence and choices in services. We are proud of our urban campus that encourages the confluence of arts and academia.

We believe that hosting critically-acclaimed musicians in performance makes for a rich learning experience that contributes to the vibrancy of our urban campus and makes world class music accessible to our community.

As a recent season subscriber, I believe that the 25th Anniversary Season will surpass all others as we collectively celebrate this ‘milestone’ anniversary.

I welcome you to Virtuosi Concerts at The University of Winnipeg. Enjoy your musical exploration.

Dr. Annette Trimbee President & Vice-Chancellor The University of Winnipeg

Welcome to the 25th Anniversary Season of Virtuosi Concerts at The University of Winnipeg.

For those who are new to Virtuosi Concerts, each season Virtuosi’s Artistic Director, Harry Strub, brings the world’s finest musicians to perform on the stage of Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall and at a most affordable price.

The intimate size of our hall provides the audience with the perfect atmosphere in which to enjoy the very best in classical chamber music. During the interactive performances, the musicians offer the audience insightful commentary about the composers and their compositions, further bringing the music to life.

IGOR BEGELMAN

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PANORAMIC VIEW OF KEYBOARD FROM EVERY SEAT!

2015-16Season at a GlanceSaturday, September 19 at 8 pmHERMITAGE PIANO TRIO

Beethoven, Arensky, Rachmaninoff, Brahms

Saturday, October 17 at 8 pmPAVEL KOLESNIKOV, piano &DOVER STRING QUARTET

Beethoven, Shostakovich

Saturday, November 7 at 8 pmNEW ZEALAND STRING QUARTET &IGOR BEGELMAN, clarinet

Timothy Corlis, John Psathas, Beethoven, Mozart

Saturday, December 5 at 8 pm Sunday, December 6 at 3 pmALEXANDER TSELYAKOV, piano &THE WSO STRING QUINTET

Hummel, Chopin

Saturday, January 23 at 8 pmFINE ARTS QUARTET &MICHAEL KIM, piano

Beethoven, Dvorák

Saturday, February 13 at 8 pmANDRÉ LAPLANTE, piano

Bach-Busoni, Mozart, Liszt, Chopin

Saturday, March 19 at 8 pmARIEL STRING QUARTET

Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms

Saturday, April 16 at 8 pmENSEMBLE MADE IN CANADA

Mendelssohn, Omar Daniel, Brahms

Saturday, May 7 at 8 pmTRIO CON BRIO COPENHAGEN

Shostakovich, Beethoven, Mendelssohn

25th Anniversary Gala CelebrationThursday, June 2, 2016 at 7 pmANGELA CHENG, piano

Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin

PRIORITY SEATING PROTOCOLWe all have a favourite seat in Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, and the Virtuosi staff does its utmost to seat you where you are the most comfortable. To get the best available seat, order your subscrip-tion as early as possible. When ordering your subscription please:

• Tell us your preferred seat location

• Include two alternative seating options

• Tell us if you have mobility issues

• Include the names and phone numbers of friends with whom you would like to sit

Unfortunately, sometimes seating conflicts do arise. To make certain everyone has the best available seat, we follow our Priority Seating Protocol:

• Renewing subscribers requesting the identical subscription and seats have priority until June 1st

• Please remember: Changes to your subscription may require seat substitution

• Orders are given priority first by number of concerts in your subscription:

1) Virtuosi 9

2) Custom 6

And then by the date a paid subscription is received.

Early BirdSave up to 25% off regular Single Ticket pricesIt’s always best to be an Early Bird subscriber – you’ll get a great discount and be more likely to find yourself sitting in your preferred seats on concert night.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICES

Adult Single Regular Early Bird SaveVirtuosi 9 $389 $309 $289 $100

Custom 6 $272 $229 $219 $53

Under 30Virtuosi 9 $223 $179 $164 $59

Custom 6 $157 $134 $124 $33

Student*Virtuosi 9 $124 $115 $110 $14

Custom 6 $85 $80 $75 $10

Virtuosi's 25th Anniversary Gala with Angela ChengGala Ticket $125 $110 $15

Valuable benefits of being a VIRTUOSI CONCERTS subscriber• Reserved seating

• Free ticket exchanges (as available)

• No agency fees at Virtuosi Concerts

• Lost or forgotten tickets replaced free of charge

• Save up to 20% on WSO Masterworks Series concerts*

• Musicnet Subscriber Reward Card: Two tickets for the price of one at Musicnet members’ regular concerts

• Opportunity to purchase a McNally Robinson Reader Reward card for only $10 ($25 value)

* Subject to WSO box office fees and limitations

DATES TO KEEP IN MIND

May 1st Early Bird Deadline: Save up to 25% off regular Single Ticket prices

June 1st Renewal Deadline for preferred seating privileges

June 2nd Seats are released to new Season Ticket subscribers

July 1st Single Tickets go on sale

Late August Season Tickets are mailed out

ORDERING OPTIONS

By mail: Complete the accompanying order form and mail it with payment to:

Virtuosi Concerts, The University of Winnipeg 515 Portage Avenue, Room 2C04, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9

By phone: 204-786-9000 (Virtuosi Box Office)

By email: virtuosi.concerts@gmail.com

By website: www.virtuosi.mb.ca (printable pdf)

VIRTUOSI CONCERTS ENDOWMENT FUNDIn recognition of Virtuosi Concerts 25th Anniversary and with a generous gift from Dr. Leonard Kahane, the VCI Board of Directors has established the Virtuosi Concerts Endowment Fund at The Winnipeg Foundation. This fund will ensure the organization’s financial viability and its artistic mandate of presenting outstanding chamber music concerts.

And, you can help! Gifts of every size are welcome and eligible for a charitable tax receipt. To support the Virtuosi Concerts Endowment Fund with a secure online gift, visit www.wgpfdn.org. You can also call 204-944-9474 to make a gift over the phone, or mail a cheque to: Virtuosi Concerts Endowment Fund, The Winnipeg Foundation, 1350-One Lombard Place, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X3.

For more information, or to discuss gifts to honour special people or mark life occasions, please call Virtuosi Concerts’ Executive Director, Andrew Thomson, at 204-786-9958. Thank you for your support!

Angela Cheng, “Poet of the Piano”

Angela Cheng is one of this country’s most accomplished artists and has appeared frequently on the Virtuosi stage. She is “...superb – totally engaged and engaging” (Toronto Star) and “…nothing short of magic…” (The Record – Waterloo, Ontario).

Thursday, June 2, 2016 Reception: 7 pmConcert: 8 pmWinnipeg Art GalleryMuriel Richardson AuditoriumTickets $125 (Early Bird tickets $110)A Tax Receipt will be issued for a portion of the ticket price.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONCERT

VCI – VIRTUOSI CONCERTS INC.515 Portage Avenue, Room 2C04

Winnipeg MB, R3B 2E9204.786.9000

virtuosi.concerts@gmail.com www.virtuosi.mb.ca

Harry Strub, Artistic DirectorAndrew Thomson, Executive Director

Sandra Shapiro, Concert Administrator

DOWNTOWN WINNIPEG

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Beethoven & DvorákSATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 8PM

MICHAEL KIM, pianoFINE ARTS QUARTETRalph Evans, Efim Boico, violins; Juan-Miguel Hernandez, viola; Robert Cohen, cello

Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the legendary Fine Arts Quartet “is one of the gold-plated names in chamber music” (Washington Post) – one of the elite few who have recorded and toured internationally for over half a century. Matched with pianist Michael Kim, whose performances have been called “…incredibly exciting and exhilarating, and beautifully balanced” (The Herald, Glasgow), these five artists created a sensation on

our stage in 2013 with the Schumann Piano Quintet. “How much excellence was brought to this hall tonight!” wrote one Virtuosi patron. We immediately invited them back to be part of our 25th Anniversary season.

PROGRAMME: Beethoven String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131; Dvorák Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81

Laureates of Honens & BanffSATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 8PM

PAVEL KOLESNIKOV, pianoTHE DOVER QUARTETJoel Link, Bryan Lee, violins; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Camden Shaw, cello

The 2012 Honens International Piano Competition Winner, Pavel Kolesnikov, received a rare five-star review for his Wigmore Hall debut in January 2014. The Telegraph called it “…one of the most memorable of such occasions London has witnessed in some time.” The Dover Quartet catapulted to international stardom with a stunning sweep of all the prizes at the 2013 Banff International String Quartet competition, becoming one of the most in-demand ensembles in the world. The New Yorker recently dubbed them “the young American string quartet of the moment.” The Strad raved that the Quartet “is sublime…” and “destined for the company of some of the finest string quartets ever assembled” (The Birmingham News). These five gold-prize artists unite their talents on our Virtuosi stage.

PROGRAMME: Beethoven Seven Bagatelles, Op. 33 (Pavel); Beethoven String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59, No. 1, “Razoumovsky” (Dover); Shostakovich Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57.

Post-concert reception sponsored by the 2016 Banff International String Quartet Competition

Order FormPLEASE PRINT Ms. Mrs. Miss. Mr. Dr.

Name ______________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________

City _________________ Postal Code ___________________

Phone ______________________________________________

Email _______________________________________________

PRIVACY POLICY: Virtuosi Concerts does not trade, rent, sell or other-wise disclose our patron contact list or other personal information. If you wish to be removed from our patron contact list, please contact us at 204.786.9000 or by email at virtuosi.concerts@gmail.com. Please allow 15 business days to update our records.

RECEIVE HARRY’S HIGH NOTESSign up to receive concert reminders, programme and artist information as only Harry Strub can offer it.

Yes, I would like to be on your email list to receive Harry's High Notes e-newsletter and information on upcoming events.

PICK YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE

Adult Regular Early Bird (ends May 1, 2015)

Virtuosi 9 $309 x ___ $289 x ___ = $ _________

Custom 6 $229 x ___ $219 x ___ = $ _________

Under 30

Virtuosi 9 $179 x ___ $164 x ___ = $ _________

Custom 6 $134 x ___ $124 x ___ = $ _________

Student*

Virtuosi 9 $115 x ___ $110 x ___ = $ _________

Custom 6 $80 x ___ $75 x ___ = $ _________

*includes full-time students over 30.

Student Number # _________________________________

Virtuosi 25th Anniversary Gala with Angela Cheng

Gala Ticket $125 x ___ $110 x ___ = $ _________

Sub Total $ _________

 DONATION $ _________

Ticket sales account for only 30% of all Virtuosi Concerts’ revenues. Your gift provides vital support to help ensure the programming excellence you have come to expect from your Virtuosi Concerts. [Charitable Tax #86517 1045 RR0001]

TOTAL $ _________

Prices include all taxes and/or charges.

PAYMENT VISA Mastercard Cheque Cash

Card # _______________________________________________

Expiry Date _______ | _______

Signature ____________________________________________(Credit card charges processed through the The University of Winnipeg)

HELP US REDUCE OUR COSTS: PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING YOUR PAYMENT BY CHEQUE

PICK YOUR CONCERTS (select 9 or 6 dates)

Concerts 8 pm Saturday unless otherwise indicated

Sept. 19 Hermitage Piano Trio Oct. 17 Pavel Kolesnikov/Dover Quartet Nov. 7 New Zealand SQ/Igor Begelman Dec. 5 Alexander Tselyakov/WSO String Quintetor Sunday, Dec. 6, 3 pm Jan. 23 Fine Arts Quartet/Michael Kim Feb. 13 André Laplante Mar. 19 Ariel Quartet Apr. 16 Ensemble Made in Canada May 7 Trio con Brio Copenhagen

PICK YOUR SEAT in Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall

SEATING PREFERENCE Renewing Subscriber Former or New Subscriber

1st seat choice: Section __________ Seat ___________

2nd seat choice: Section __________ Seat ___________

3rd seat choice: Section __________ Seat ___________

PLEASE NOTE: Concert dates, performers and programs are subject to change without notice. Young children must be able to sit quietly. Babes in arms not admitted.

UNDERGROUND PARKING AVAILABLE

Heated Underground Parking is available for every Virtuosi Concert performance in The University of Winnipeg’s United Health & RecPlex. The entrance to the Parkade is off Young Street, accessed only from Portage Avenue. Parking is $4.00 for the evening, payable by Cash, VISA or MASTERCARD at the time of exit.

The Russians are Coming!SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 8PM

HERMITAGE PIANO TRIOMisha Keylin, violin; Sergey Antonov, cello; Ilya Kazantsev, piano

Descending from the great Russian musical tradition, the Hermitage Piano Trio is comprised of three of that country’s most spectacular young soloists. Hermitage cellist, Sergey Antonov, won the 13th Tchaikovsky International Competition and opened our 2009 Virtuosi season with a stunning recital. The Washington Post raved about a recent Hermitage performance as having “…such power and sweeping passion that it left you nearly out of breath.”

PROGRAMME: Beethoven Trio in G major, Op. 121a “Kakadu Variations”; Arensky Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 32; Rachmaninoff Trio No. 1 in G minor, “Elégiaque”; Brahms Piano Trio No.1 in B Major, Op. 8

The Great Romantic VirtuosoSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 8PM

ANDRÉ LAPLANTE, pianoFor a lifetime of outstanding achievement, André Laplante was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005. He has played all over the world and exhausted the superlatives of the critics. “He has an immense musical intelligence” (Toronto Star), and responds to the music “…with the freshness of first discovery” (James Manishen, Winnipeg Free Press). Laplante is truly one of the great artists of our era. He possesses a “...bone deep musical sensibility; a perfection of detail in the meaningful context of the whole. Nothing, neglected, nothing inflated, and everything brimming with life.... he is among the master pianists” (Globe and Mail).

PROGRAMME: Bach-Busoni Toccata in C major; Mozart Sonata No. 3 in B flat major, K. 281; Liszt Three Petrarch Sonnets S. 270; Chopin Two Nocturnes, Op. 27; Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35

Classicism with FireSATURDAY, MARCH 19, 8PM

ARIEL QUARTET Gershon Gerchikov, Alexandra Kazovsky, violins; Jan Grüning, viola; Amit Even-Tov, cello

Formed as part of a chamber music class at The Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance’s middle school, the Ariel Quartet travelled together to study at the New England Conservatory. Today, the Quartet is a rising star on the international chamber music scene, hailed for their “utter musicality and remarkable interpretive power” (American Record Guide). Recently awarded the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award, the Ariel serves as the faculty quartet-in-residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. “…(T)hey crank out virtuosity by the bucketful and passion by the yard” (The Washington Post).

PROGRAMME: Haydn Quartet in B flat major, Op. 76, No. 4; Beethoven Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95, “Serioso”; Brahms Quartet in A minor, Op. 51, No. 2

VIRTUOSI CONCERTS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE WINNIPEG ART GALLERYPoet of the PianoTHURSDAY, JUNE 2, 7PMReception: Ferdinand Eckhardt Hall, 7PM; Concert: Muriel Richardson Auditorium, 8PM

ANGELA CHENG, piano How better to celebrate Virtuosi’s 25th Anniversary than with Angela Cheng, whose connection with Virtuosi Concerts spans almost three decades. Cheng, who currently anchors the new Pinchas Zuckerman Piano Trio, has appeared on the Virtuosi Concerts stage, as well as with WSO and MCO “…with virtuosic playing in full bloom” (Winnipeg Free Press). Why do Winnipeggers love her so? She is a consummate artist of exquisite sensitivity and her playing is, in a word, “…enthralling” (Globe and Mail). As the Vancouver Sun so eloquently wrote, “Here was music making that had passion, intellect and a deep humanity.”

PROGRAMME: Haydn Sonata in C major, H.16/50; Beethoven Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110; Chopin Nocturne in D flat major, Op. 27, No. 2; Chopin Polonaise-Fantasie in A flat major, Op. 61; Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23

Pure JoySATURDAY, MAY 7, 8PM

TRIO con BRIO COPENHAGENSoo-Jin Hong, violin; Soo-Kyung Hong; cello; Jens Elvekjaer; piano

Founded in Vienna in 1999, Trio con Brio Copenhagen quickly became “one of the finest piano trios on the current scene” (The New Yorker), and “…one of today’s most dazzling chamber ensembles” (Buffalo News). The Washington Post wrote: “These glowing reports hold true. Trio con Brio Copenhagen clearly occupies a lofty perch in today’s musical scene.” Of their debut CD, the critic for the American Record Guide enthused, “One of the greatest performances of chamber music I’ve ever encountered!”

PROGRAMME: Shostakovich Piano Trio No.1 in C minor, Op.8; Beethoven Piano Trio in E flat major, Op. 70, No.2; Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66

Artists of ManitobaSATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 8PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 3PM

ALEXANDER TSELYAKOV, piano WINNIPEG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA STRING QUINTETGwen Hoebig, Karl Stobbe, violins; Daniel Scholz, viola; Yuri Hooker, cello; Meredith Johnson, double bass

The electrifying pianist Alexander Tselyakov, Russia’s gift to Manitoba, is beloved for his technical perfection, his rich sound and thoughtful musicianship. He is a “phenomenal pianist” (Kitzinger Zeitung, Germany) “…who would raise the roof of any concert hall” (Winnipeg Free Press). His 2011 CD of the complete Chopin Études, was recorded in Germany shortly after he performed them for us. The WSO String Quintet is comprised of the Winnipeg Symphony’s leading orchestral players who revel in performing chamber music. The featured work is a rare chamber performance of Chopin’s second piano concerto (and the Hummel quintet is a delightful surprise!)

PROGRAMME: Hummel Piano Quintet in E flat minor, Op. 87; Chopin Ballade No. 4; Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor (chamber version)

VIRTUOSI BOX OFFICE204.786.9000 virtuosi.mb.ca

Raven & The First MenSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 8PM

NEW ZEALAND STRING QUARTET with IGOR BEGELMAN, clarinetHelene Pohl, Douglas Beilman, violins; Gillian Ansell, viola; Rolf Gjelsten, cello

The New Zealand String Quartet has been hailed for “uncommon eloquence” (New York Times) “…rivaling the excellence of the leading international string quartets” (Cleveland Plain Dealer). Indeed, after a concert in Ottawa, the reviewer wrote that the audience members “…might be forgiven if they thought they had died and gone to Quartet Heaven!” (Ottawa Citizen) Featured soloist is Igor Begelman – born in Kiev, trained at Juilliard, and winner of a half dozen international clarinet competitions, whose virtuosity makes “…musical magic” (Diario de Monterrey, Mexico).

Raven and the First Men honours Bill Reid’s monumental sculpture – on film and in a new Canadian quintet by Timothy Corlis. It is a depiction of the Haida legend about the first moment in history, when an enormous raven opened up a clamshell and found little men hiding inside – the first human beings.

PROGRAMME: Timothy Corlis Raven and The First Men, with film by David N. Dorrington; John Psathas “Manos, Unbridled”; Beethoven String Quartet in B flat major, Op. 18, No. 6; Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Mystical MaidensSATURDAY, APRIL 16, 8PM

ENSEMBLE MADE IN CANADAElissa Lee, violin; Sharon Wei, viola; Rachel Mercer, cello; Angela Park, piano

“What do you get when you take four young and extremely talented female Canadian musicians who studied across the United States and Canada; have each won several prestigious awards; developed into stellar soloists in their own right; and joined together to form a piano quartet? You get Ensemble Made in Canada…” (Winnipeg Free Press). Canada’s premier piano quartet, Ensemble Made in Canada “…deliver(s) chamber music on a beautifully polished silver platter” (Musical Toronto). Their performance of Omar Daniel’s piano quartet, commissioned by the Ensemble, was inspired by an old Estonian text about four mystical maidens, and comes just two weeks after its World Premiere in Toronto. No stranger to the Virtuosi stage, it is our pleasure to welcome them back for our Anniversary season.

PROGRAMME: Mendelssohn Piano Quartet No. 3 in B minor; Omar Daniel Piano Quartet No. 1: Oli enne nel’l’a neitta… (once upon a time there were four maidens…); Brahms Piano Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 26

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Beethoven & DvorákSATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 8PM

MICHAEL KIM, pianoFINE ARTS QUARTETRalph Evans, Efim Boico, violins; Juan-Miguel Hernandez, viola; Robert Cohen, cello

Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the legendary Fine Arts Quartet “is one of the gold-plated names in chamber music” (Washington Post) – one of the elite few who have recorded and toured internationally for over half a century. Matched with pianist Michael Kim, whose performances have been called “…incredibly exciting and exhilarating, and beautifully balanced” (The Herald, Glasgow), these five artists created a sensation on

our stage in 2013 with the Schumann Piano Quintet. “How much excellence was brought to this hall tonight!” wrote one Virtuosi patron. We immediately invited them back to be part of our 25th Anniversary season.

PROGRAMME: Beethoven String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131; Dvorák Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81

Laureates of Honens & BanffSATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 8PM

PAVEL KOLESNIKOV, pianoTHE DOVER QUARTETJoel Link, Bryan Lee, violins; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola; Camden Shaw, cello

The 2012 Honens International Piano Competition Winner, Pavel Kolesnikov, received a rare five-star review for his Wigmore Hall debut in January 2014. The Telegraph called it “…one of the most memorable of such occasions London has witnessed in some time.” The Dover Quartet catapulted to international stardom with a stunning sweep of all the prizes at the 2013 Banff International String Quartet competition, becoming one of the most in-demand ensembles in the world. The New Yorker recently dubbed them “the young American string quartet of the moment.” The Strad raved that the Quartet “is sublime…” and “destined for the company of some of the finest string quartets ever assembled” (The Birmingham News). These five gold-prize artists unite their talents on our Virtuosi stage.

PROGRAMME: Beethoven Seven Bagatelles, Op. 33 (Pavel); Beethoven String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59, No. 1, “Razoumovsky” (Dover); Shostakovich Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57.

Post-concert reception sponsored by the 2016 Banff International String Quartet Competition

Order FormPLEASE PRINT Ms. Mrs. Miss. Mr. Dr.

Name ______________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________

City _________________ Postal Code ___________________

Phone ______________________________________________

Email _______________________________________________

PRIVACY POLICY: Virtuosi Concerts does not trade, rent, sell or other-wise disclose our patron contact list or other personal information. If you wish to be removed from our patron contact list, please contact us at 204.786.9000 or by email at virtuosi.concerts@gmail.com. Please allow 15 business days to update our records.

RECEIVE HARRY’S HIGH NOTESSign up to receive concert reminders, programme and artist information as only Harry Strub can offer it.

Yes, I would like to be on your email list to receive Harry's High Notes e-newsletter and information on upcoming events.

PICK YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE

Adult Regular Early Bird (ends May 1, 2015)

Virtuosi 9 $309 x ___ $289 x ___ = $ _________

Custom 6 $229 x ___ $219 x ___ = $ _________

Under 30

Virtuosi 9 $179 x ___ $164 x ___ = $ _________

Custom 6 $134 x ___ $124 x ___ = $ _________

Student*

Virtuosi 9 $115 x ___ $110 x ___ = $ _________

Custom 6 $80 x ___ $75 x ___ = $ _________

*includes full-time students over 30.

Student Number # _________________________________

Virtuosi 25th Anniversary Gala with Angela Cheng

Gala Ticket $125 x ___ $110 x ___ = $ _________

Sub Total $ _________

 DONATION $ _________

Ticket sales account for only 30% of all Virtuosi Concerts’ revenues. Your gift provides vital support to help ensure the programming excellence you have come to expect from your Virtuosi Concerts. [Charitable Tax #86517 1045 RR0001]

TOTAL $ _________

Prices include all taxes and/or charges.

PAYMENT VISA Mastercard Cheque Cash

Card # _______________________________________________

Expiry Date _______ | _______

Signature ____________________________________________(Credit card charges processed through the The University of Winnipeg)

HELP US REDUCE OUR COSTS: PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING YOUR PAYMENT BY CHEQUE

PICK YOUR CONCERTS (select 9 or 6 dates)

Concerts 8 pm Saturday unless otherwise indicated

Sept. 19 Hermitage Piano Trio Oct. 17 Pavel Kolesnikov/Dover Quartet Nov. 7 New Zealand SQ/Igor Begelman Dec. 5 Alexander Tselyakov/WSO String Quintetor Sunday, Dec. 6, 3 pm Jan. 23 Fine Arts Quartet/Michael Kim Feb. 13 André Laplante Mar. 19 Ariel Quartet Apr. 16 Ensemble Made in Canada May 7 Trio con Brio Copenhagen

PICK YOUR SEAT in Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall

SEATING PREFERENCE Renewing Subscriber Former or New Subscriber

1st seat choice: Section __________ Seat ___________

2nd seat choice: Section __________ Seat ___________

3rd seat choice: Section __________ Seat ___________

PLEASE NOTE: Concert dates, performers and programs are subject to change without notice. Young children must be able to sit quietly. Babes in arms not admitted.

UNDERGROUND PARKING AVAILABLE

Heated Underground Parking is available for every Virtuosi Concert performance in The University of Winnipeg’s United Health & RecPlex. The entrance to the Parkade is off Young Street, accessed only from Portage Avenue. Parking is $4.00 for the evening, payable by Cash, VISA or MASTERCARD at the time of exit.

The Russians are Coming!SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 8PM

HERMITAGE PIANO TRIOMisha Keylin, violin; Sergey Antonov, cello; Ilya Kazantsev, piano

Descending from the great Russian musical tradition, the Hermitage Piano Trio is comprised of three of that country’s most spectacular young soloists. Hermitage cellist, Sergey Antonov, won the 13th Tchaikovsky International Competition and opened our 2009 Virtuosi season with a stunning recital. The Washington Post raved about a recent Hermitage performance as having “…such power and sweeping passion that it left you nearly out of breath.”

PROGRAMME: Beethoven Trio in G major, Op. 121a “Kakadu Variations”; Arensky Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 32; Rachmaninoff Trio No. 1 in G minor, “Elégiaque”; Brahms Piano Trio No.1 in B Major, Op. 8

The Great Romantic VirtuosoSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 8PM

ANDRÉ LAPLANTE, pianoFor a lifetime of outstanding achievement, André Laplante was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005. He has played all over the world and exhausted the superlatives of the critics. “He has an immense musical intelligence” (Toronto Star), and responds to the music “…with the freshness of first discovery” (James Manishen, Winnipeg Free Press). Laplante is truly one of the great artists of our era. He possesses a “...bone deep musical sensibility; a perfection of detail in the meaningful context of the whole. Nothing, neglected, nothing inflated, and everything brimming with life.... he is among the master pianists” (Globe and Mail).

PROGRAMME: Bach-Busoni Toccata in C major; Mozart Sonata No. 3 in B flat major, K. 281; Liszt Three Petrarch Sonnets S. 270; Chopin Two Nocturnes, Op. 27; Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35

Classicism with FireSATURDAY, MARCH 19, 8PM

ARIEL QUARTET Gershon Gerchikov, Alexandra Kazovsky, violins; Jan Grüning, viola; Amit Even-Tov, cello

Formed as part of a chamber music class at The Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance’s middle school, the Ariel Quartet travelled together to study at the New England Conservatory. Today, the Quartet is a rising star on the international chamber music scene, hailed for their “utter musicality and remarkable interpretive power” (American Record Guide). Recently awarded the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award, the Ariel serves as the faculty quartet-in-residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. “…(T)hey crank out virtuosity by the bucketful and passion by the yard” (The Washington Post).

PROGRAMME: Haydn Quartet in B flat major, Op. 76, No. 4; Beethoven Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95, “Serioso”; Brahms Quartet in A minor, Op. 51, No. 2

VIRTUOSI CONCERTS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE WINNIPEG ART GALLERYPoet of the PianoTHURSDAY, JUNE 2, 7PMReception: Ferdinand Eckhardt Hall, 7PM; Concert: Muriel Richardson Auditorium, 8PM

ANGELA CHENG, piano How better to celebrate Virtuosi’s 25th Anniversary than with Angela Cheng, whose connection with Virtuosi Concerts spans almost three decades. Cheng, who currently anchors the new Pinchas Zuckerman Piano Trio, has appeared on the Virtuosi Concerts stage, as well as with WSO and MCO “…with virtuosic playing in full bloom” (Winnipeg Free Press). Why do Winnipeggers love her so? She is a consummate artist of exquisite sensitivity and her playing is, in a word, “…enthralling” (Globe and Mail). As the Vancouver Sun so eloquently wrote, “Here was music making that had passion, intellect and a deep humanity.”

PROGRAMME: Haydn Sonata in C major, H.16/50; Beethoven Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110; Chopin Nocturne in D flat major, Op. 27, No. 2; Chopin Polonaise-Fantasie in A flat major, Op. 61; Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23

Pure JoySATURDAY, MAY 7, 8PM

TRIO con BRIO COPENHAGENSoo-Jin Hong, violin; Soo-Kyung Hong; cello; Jens Elvekjaer; piano

Founded in Vienna in 1999, Trio con Brio Copenhagen quickly became “one of the finest piano trios on the current scene” (The New Yorker), and “…one of today’s most dazzling chamber ensembles” (Buffalo News). The Washington Post wrote: “These glowing reports hold true. Trio con Brio Copenhagen clearly occupies a lofty perch in today’s musical scene.” Of their debut CD, the critic for the American Record Guide enthused, “One of the greatest performances of chamber music I’ve ever encountered!”

PROGRAMME: Shostakovich Piano Trio No.1 in C minor, Op.8; Beethoven Piano Trio in E flat major, Op. 70, No.2; Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66

Artists of ManitobaSATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 8PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 3PM

ALEXANDER TSELYAKOV, piano WINNIPEG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA STRING QUINTETGwen Hoebig, Karl Stobbe, violins; Daniel Scholz, viola; Yuri Hooker, cello; Meredith Johnson, double bass

The electrifying pianist Alexander Tselyakov, Russia’s gift to Manitoba, is beloved for his technical perfection, his rich sound and thoughtful musicianship. He is a “phenomenal pianist” (Kitzinger Zeitung, Germany) “…who would raise the roof of any concert hall” (Winnipeg Free Press). His 2011 CD of the complete Chopin Études, was recorded in Germany shortly after he performed them for us. The WSO String Quintet is comprised of the Winnipeg Symphony’s leading orchestral players who revel in performing chamber music. The featured work is a rare chamber performance of Chopin’s second piano concerto (and the Hummel quintet is a delightful surprise!)

PROGRAMME: Hummel Piano Quintet in E flat minor, Op. 87; Chopin Ballade No. 4; Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor (chamber version)

VIRTUOSI BOX OFFICE204.786.9000 virtuosi.mb.ca

Raven & The First MenSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 8PM

NEW ZEALAND STRING QUARTET with IGOR BEGELMAN, clarinetHelene Pohl, Douglas Beilman, violins; Gillian Ansell, viola; Rolf Gjelsten, cello

The New Zealand String Quartet has been hailed for “uncommon eloquence” (New York Times) “…rivaling the excellence of the leading international string quartets” (Cleveland Plain Dealer). Indeed, after a concert in Ottawa, the reviewer wrote that the audience members “…might be forgiven if they thought they had died and gone to Quartet Heaven!” (Ottawa Citizen) Featured soloist is Igor Begelman – born in Kiev, trained at Juilliard, and winner of a half dozen international clarinet competitions, whose virtuosity makes “…musical magic” (Diario de Monterrey, Mexico).

Raven and the First Men honours Bill Reid’s monumental sculpture – on film and in a new Canadian quintet by Timothy Corlis. It is a depiction of the Haida legend about the first moment in history, when an enormous raven opened up a clamshell and found little men hiding inside – the first human beings.

PROGRAMME: Timothy Corlis Raven and The First Men, with film by David N. Dorrington; John Psathas “Manos, Unbridled”; Beethoven String Quartet in B flat major, Op. 18, No. 6; Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581

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Mystical MaidensSATURDAY, APRIL 16, 8PM

ENSEMBLE MADE IN CANADAElissa Lee, violin; Sharon Wei, viola; Rachel Mercer, cello; Angela Park, piano

“What do you get when you take four young and extremely talented female Canadian musicians who studied across the United States and Canada; have each won several prestigious awards; developed into stellar soloists in their own right; and joined together to form a piano quartet? You get Ensemble Made in Canada…” (Winnipeg Free Press). Canada’s premier piano quartet, Ensemble Made in Canada “…deliver(s) chamber music on a beautifully polished silver platter” (Musical Toronto). Their performance of Omar Daniel’s piano quartet, commissioned by the Ensemble, was inspired by an old Estonian text about four mystical maidens, and comes just two weeks after its World Premiere in Toronto. No stranger to the Virtuosi stage, it is our pleasure to welcome them back for our Anniversary season.

PROGRAMME: Mendelssohn Piano Quartet No. 3 in B minor; Omar Daniel Piano Quartet No. 1: Oli enne nel’l’a neitta… (once upon a time there were four maidens…); Brahms Piano Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 26

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Concerts 8 pm Saturday unless otherwise indicated

Sept. 19 Hermitage Piano Trio Oct. 17 Pavel Kolesnikov/Dover Quartet Nov. 7 New Zealand SQ/Igor Begelman Dec. 5 Alexander Tselyakov/WSO String Quintetor Sunday, Dec. 6, 3 pm Jan. 23 Fine Arts Quartet/Michael Kim Feb. 13 André Laplante Mar. 19 Ariel Quartet Apr. 16 Ensemble Made in Canada May 7 Trio con Brio Copenhagen

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