“At the heart of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra are our core-musicians, whom we feature in this new series. This season we are marrying our Bach & Beyond and Mozart & More programmes to create a series we’re calling Intimate Classics; it gives us a chance to explore more great music. We think you’ll enjoy the bigger sound in this intimate setting”
See what's coming up this season in our other concert series:
Friday, September 26, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Mozart & Morawetz
Assumption University Chapel
John Morris Russell, Conductor
Lillian Scheirich, Violin
Oskar Morawetz – Divertimento for String Orchestra
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Violin Concerto No.2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Symphony No. 40
Instrumentally Speaking – pre-concert talk at 6:55 p.m.
Listen to an excerpt of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 2
The first performance of Intimate Classics brings the WSO’s principal players front and centre with some of our favourite Mozart concertos. Front and centre is where we always find concertmaster Lillian Scheirich, whose exquisite playing sets the tone. Oskar Morawetz, Canada’s premier lyrical composer, bubbles over with charm.
Friday, October 24, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
England: Home of the Heart
Assumption University Chapel
Peter Wiebe, Conductor
James Ormston, Clarinet
George Frederick Handel – Concerto Grosso No.12 in B minor
Gerald Finzi – Clarinet Concerto
Felix Mendelssohn – Octet for Strings
Instrumentally Speaking – pre-concert talk at 6:55 p.m.
Listen to an excerpt of the Clarinet Concerto by Finzi
Listen to an excerpt of the Octet for Strings by Mendelssohn
England was the adopted home for many musical spirits. While Gerald Finzi was born in London, Handel moved there to create music that dazzled. Young Felix Mendelssohn was just a visitor, but Britain’s rugged coast and lush meadows inspired him throughout his life. The sound ranges from city lights to glistening sea, and together they sing out the heart of England.
Friday, November 21, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Bach Takes Flight
Assumption University Chapel
Ian Parker, Conductor, Piano
Lillian Scheirich, Violin
Jean-François Rompré, Flute
Johann Sebastian Bach – Piano Concerti
Johann Sebastian Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
Instrumentally Speaking – pre-concert talk at 6:55 p.m.
Listen to an excerpt of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
Vancouver-born, prize-winning pianist Ian Parker returns to the WSO for his conducting debut in a tour of Johann Sebastian Bach's most memorable melodies.
Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Ode to St. Cecilia
Assumption University Chapel
John Morris Russell, Conductor
Windsor Classic Chorale, Timothy Shantz, Chorusmaster
Henry Purcell – Anthem
Henry Purcell – Ode to St. Cecilia
Instrumentally Speaking – pre-concert talk at 6:55 p.m.
Listen to an excerpt of the Ode to St. Cecilia by Purcell
St. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and sacred music. Following Purcell’s sensational Ode, her praise has been set to music by Handel, Scarlatti, Parry, Howell and Britten. Hear for yourself why so many others were inspired by Purcell’s shining example.
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
La Passione
Assumption University Chapel
John Morris Russell, Conductor
Graham Mackenzie, Oboe
Franz Joseph Haydn – Symphony No. 59 “The Fire”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Oboe Concerto
Franz Joseph Haydn – Symphony No. 49 “La Passione”
Instrumentally Speaking – pre-concert talk at 6:55 p.m.
Listen to an excerpt of Haydn's Symphony No. 49
We know him today as “Papa Haydn,” a genial composer of elegant charm and subtle wit. But his middle years were spent inventing symphonies of passion and heat. He called it “Sturm und Drang.” We call it musical excitement.