The Manitoban previews “Tour de Force” concert featuring 'Concerto for Two Violins'
"The premiere of Vivian Fung’s Concerto for Two Violins and Kevin Lau’s Writ in Water by the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra (MCO) has caught the attention of Winnipeg’s classical music admirers.
Under the leadership of Anne Manson,the MCO’s music director, the Tour de Force concert will be coming toWestminster United Church March 19. The concert will showcase reveredorchestral pieces from the classical period by Haydn and Mozart inaddition to Fung’s and Lau’s new compositions.
Master soloist and MCO concertmasterKarl Stobbe and second principal violin Rachel Kristenson will befeatured as violin soloists.
Kristenson’s professional musicalcareer began with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra followed by amultitude of other ensembles across Canada, including Symphony NewBrunswick and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, where she is currentlythe concertmaster.
Kristenson described playing new music for a crowd as “art being created in front of our eyes.”
“I hope that they will enjoy beingthe very first ears, the first audience to hear this music and to knowthat they’re part of history being made,” said Kristenson.
“I think that’s just fascinating, andit’s really a really well-written piece. I really enjoyed learning itand it just really showcases a lot of the many things that a violin andtwo violins together can do and then backed up by the orchestra.”
Stobbe, who has been with the MCO for the past two decades, is also looking forward to presenting new concertos.
“Hearing new pieces is alwaysinteresting and I think composers try to convey a sense of what theirworld is, what they see as the world around them,” said Stobbe.
“Hopefully people get a sense ofthat, get a character from that and hear the kind of thoughts on whatthe composers are trying to convey, on what they’re reflecting on intheir world.”
The older pieces being showcased also have their own unique appeal.
Haydn’s famous 45th symphony, knownas “the Farewell Symphony,” was written after the orchestra he wasconducting for a Hungarian prince was made to play a very long season,preventing them from taking their winter holidays. Haydn’s piece callsfor the musicians leaving the stage one by one in the hopes the audiencewill allow the musicians to wrap up their show.
“Even by Haydn’s standards it’s pretty theatrical,” said Stobbe."
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Tickets for MCO’s Tour de Forceare available at McNally Robinson, the West End Cultural Centre, OrganicPlanet or by contacting MCO’s Ticketline at 204-783-7377.