Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
| Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | WSO |
| Origin | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupations | Symphony orchestra |
| Years active | 1947-present |
| Website | wso.mb.ca |
| Members | |
| Principal Conductor Alexander Mickelthwate Resident Conductor Richard Lee Composer in Residence Vincent Ho |
|
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is a Canadian orchestra based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its primary concert venue is the Centennial Concert Hall, and the orchestra also performs throughout the province of Manitoba.
Contents |
[edit] History
Established in 1947, the WSO played its first concert on December 16, 1948 in the Civic Auditorium to an audience of 3,000.
Andrey Boreyko was the WSO's music director from 2001 to 2006. During his tenure, the musicians experienced a labour lockout in December 2001, and the mass resignation of the orchestra's board in the winter of 2003.[1] The musicians took a 20% pay cut and Boreyko donated a portion of his salary to the orchestra during the financially troubled 2002-2003 season.[2][3] The orchestra musicians took an additional pay cut for the 2003-2004 season.[4] The orchestra retired its accumulated debt in September 2005.[5] In his final season as music director, Boreyko led 6 weeks of concerts, in contrast to 12 the season before. Overall, Boreyko received praise for his musicianship, but also criticism for a lack of community outreach, and not fulfilling an intention to establish residency in Winnipeg.[6][7]
In February 2006, Alexander Mickelthwate was named the WSO's eighth music director. He took up the post in September 2006, with an initial contract of 3 years.[8][9] In December 2008, Mickelthwate extended his contract with the orchestra through the 2012 season.[10] The orchestra's current executive director is Trudy Schroeder, effective July 2008.[11]
[edit] Programs
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra performs to about 100,000 listeners per year, with an average of 80 concerts. It also contributes to performances by other groups, such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Manitoba Opera and provides educational outreach programs to 25,000 students annually.
[edit] New Music Festival
In 1992, then-Music Director Bramwell Tovey and the WSO's Composer-in-Residence Glenn Buhr, along with others, created the WSO's New Music Festival.
[edit] Performance venues
The WSO initially performed out of the Civic Auditorium. The orchestra moved to its present home in the 2,300-seat Centennial Concert Hall in April 1968.
[edit] Discography
- Mozartiana (1993)
- Music for Violin and Orchestra (1998)
- Lark Ascending (1998)
- Songs of Paradise (1998)
- Winter Poems (1999)
[edit] Music directors
- Walter Kaufmann (1948–1958)
- Victor Feldbrill (1958–1968)
- George Cleve (1969–1970)
- Piero Gamba (1971–1980)
- Kazuhiro Koizumi (1983–1988)
- Bramwell Tovey (1989–2001)
- Andrey Boreyko (2001–2006)
- Alexander Mickelthwate (2006–present)
[edit] Musicians
The principals of the orchestra are:
- First violin: Gwen Hoebig (Concertmaster, Sophie-Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatte Memorial Chair)
- Second violin: Darryl Strain
- Viola: Daniel Scholz (conductor of Winnipeg Youth Orchestras)
- Cello: Yuri Hooker
- Bass: Meredith Johnson
- Flute: Jan Kocman
- Oboe: Bede Hanley
- Clarinet: Micah Heilbrunn
- Bassoon: Alex Eastley
- French horn: Patricia Evans
- Trumpet: Brian Sykora
- Trombone: John Helmer
- Bass trombone: Julia McIntyre
- Tuba: Chris Lee
- Timpani: Jeremy Epp
- Percussion: Frederick Liessens
- Harp: Richard Turner
As of May 2011, there are 68 musicians in the WSO.
[edit] References
- ^ Morley Walker (2003-05-13). "Crowd-pleasers key to saving WSO". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/31343549.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2003-05-22). "Leaving WSO 'out of the question,' Boreyko says". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/31343579.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2003-06-27). "WSO awaits business plan". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/31343734.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2003-09-18). "Musicians forced to take a cut in pay". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/31379059.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2005-09-15). "Back-breaking deficit is officially retired". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/31601894.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2006-05-11). "Can we afford another saviour in a tux?". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/31698169.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2007-09-08). "WSO music director will rest his baton in Osborne Village". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/32354529.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2006-02-02). "Winnipeg 'lucky to have' new man with baton". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/31654499.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2006-09-02). "New WSO music director ready to pick up baton". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/31801829.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2009-01-17). "You wanna be a conductor? Learn how to act the part". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/31654499.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
- ^ Morley Walker (2008-04-25). "Schroeder confirmed as WSO director". Winnipeg Free Press. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/32829729.html. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
[edit] Sources
- Anderson, Don (2007). Tuning the forks : a celebration of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Donald Anderson. ISBN 9780978257101.
- Henighan, Tom (2000). The Maclean's Companion to Canadian Arts and Culture. Raincoast Books. ISBN 1-55192-298-3.
[edit] External links
- Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra official website
- WSO history from WSO homepage
- WSO New Music Festival website
