Greeting from Jennifer Thiessen, Virtuosi Concerts Artistic Director

Dear Music Lovers,

It is my pleasure to join Virtuosi Concerts as Artistic Director.

My passion for chamber music in many forms has manifested as a vibrant career as a violist in both modern and historical performance practice and as a multi-instrumental songwriter, improviser and experimental musician. After twenty years as an independent artist based in Montreal and performing around the world, I recently returned to my Manitoba home. As Artistic Director of Virtuosi Concerts, I offer my deep love for and experience with chamber music, my tenacious drive to realize the projects I imagine, and my long-term commitment to building a dynamic, fair and relevant Canadian music scene.

My respect for the classical canon of chamber music and the musicians who interpret it is paired with a firm commitment to engage a wide range of artists with diverse stories and perspectives. True virtuosity contains both skill and wisdom. My vision for Virtuosi Concerts is of an arts space that celebrates emotional depth, social responsibility and instrumental excellence through the intimate conversation of chamber music—the music of friends.

All curious listeners are welcome to join us for performances by the exceptional invited artists who continue to define a superb Virtuosi Concerts experience. The 2021-22 concert season, expertly curated by Interim Artistic Advisor Madeline Hildebrand, includes four more concerts from January to April 2022. Each concert opens with a performance by a music student chosen through the continuing Young Artist Program. The Skywalk Concerts series aspires to return to in-person, free, noon-hour concerts at Winnipeg’s Millennium Library in the spring of 2022.

Live music provides an essential environment to experience our emotions and imaginations through the ingeniously crafted sounds and stories of others. I look forward to sharing these moments of wonder with you through the intimate conversation of chamber music—the music of friends.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Thiessen

CANADIAN ODYSSEY

ENSEMBLE MADE IN CANADA: Elissa Lee, Sharon Wei, Trey Lee & Angela ParkEnsemble Made In Canada

Ensemble Made In Canada (EMIC), Canada’s premier piano quartet and a Virtuosi favourite, make their fi fth visit to our stage. Virtuosi subscribers raved about their 2019 concert calling the performance “appealing … breath of Canadian air,” and “Beautiful, thoughtful, passionate playing.” EMIC will be performing movements from Mosaïque Project which won them the 2021 Juno for Classical Album of the Year. Composed by 14 Canadian composers, each representing a particular region of Canada, the suite takes us on a musical journey through the country. They round out their program with Canadian pianist and composer Stewart Goodyear’s piano quartet, and Saint-Saëns Piano Quartet No. 2.

Tickets available on the new website, click here to buy.

Event location: St. Andrew's River Heights United Church - 255 Oak Street at Kingsway.

SERPENTINE PATHS

ROBERT UCHIDA, violin & RAFAEL HOEKMAN, cello

This dynamic duo of the strings — Robert Uchida and Rafael Hoekman — the concertmaster and principal cellist of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, perform for the fi rst time on the Virtuosi Concerts stage. Uchida has been applauded for his “ravishing sound, eloquence and hypnotic intensity” by Strings Magazine, while Hoekman is lauded as “spirited and fi ery,” a “rock star of the cello” (Toronto Sun). The eclectic program ranges from Handel to traditional west coast fi ddling, and the title composition Serpentine Paths by Winnipeg-born Jocelyn Morlock, is evocative of Virtuosi Concerts long and twisting path back from the global pandemic.

Tickets available on the new website, click here to buy.

Event location: St. Andrew's River Heights United Church - 255 Oak Street at Kingsway.

HOMAGE À HARRY

GRYPHON TRIO: Annalee Patipatanakoon, Roman Borys & James Parker

Three-time JUNO winners, The Gryphon Trio has fi rmly established itself as one of the world’s preeminent piano trios, garnering acclaim and impressing international audiences with its highly refi ned, dynamic, and memorable performances. The Gryphon Trio brings Virtuosi Concerts 2.0 season to a close, as we celebrate Harry Strub — Virtuosi’s founding Artistic Director & guiding presence for 30 years. “… phenomenal musicians … an example of what fi ne, engaging chamber music is all about” (John Terauds, Ludwig van Toronto). “This is a piano trio that plays with strength and unanimity … big, bold, almost orchestral performances” (Los Angeles Times). A concert tribute that’s sure to delight audiences and Harry alike. Not to be missed!

Tickets available on the new website, click here to buy.

Event location: St. Andrew's River Heights United Church - 255 Oak Street at Kingsway.

PRESENT IMPRESSIONS

CHRISTINA BOUEY, violin & PIERRE-ANDRÉ DOUCET, piano

Two extraordinary chamber musicians from Atlantic Canada, violinist Christina Bouey of Prince Edward Island and pianist Pierre-André Doucet of New Brunswick, join forces to perform a program of French music, sure to lift our spirits and warm our hearts during the coldest month of the year. “When violinist Christina Bouey spun out that shimmering tune, I thought I died and went to heaven,” wrote the New York Post. Christina and Pierre-André champion works by present and past female composers and they will include a pandemic inspired new work by composer Jessie Montgomery, and world premiere by Nicole Lizéealongside works by Poulenc, Debussy, Ravel, and Messiaen

Tickets available on the new website, click here to buy.

Event location: St. Andrew's River Heights United Church, 255 Oak Street at Kingsway