MCO 2 / Tempest

Manitoba Chamber Orchestra
Karl Stobbe, violin and leader
Andrew Armstrong, piano

A VOYAGE FROM BACH's SERENE WATERS to stormy Shostakovich and back. At the helm: MCO’s concertmaster, the great Karl Stobbe.

Josef Suk
Meditation on an Old Bohemian Chorale "St. Wenceslas" for Strings

Dmitri Shostakovich
Sonata for Violin and Piano

Intermission 

Johann Sebastian Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050

Johann Sebastian Bach
Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D Min for Strings

^{Program subject to change}

Karl Stobbe

MCO Concertmaster Karl Stobbe is one of Canada’s most accomplished and diverse violinists. A crack band leader and chamber musician, Stobbe is also “a master soloist, recalling the golden age of violin playing,” (London’s Sunday Times). The JUNO nominee has performed in North America’s most famous concert halls, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Boston’s Jordan Hall. A crowd favourite in Winnipeg and far beyond, Stobbe will dazzle audiences on his rare, exceptional 1806 Lupot violin when this master musician takes the spotlight as soloist, arranger, and leader.   

Andrew Armstrong

Name a world-class concert hall or piano award, and it almost certainly shows up on Andrew Armstrong’s awe-inspiring CV. Even before beginning his career as a concert pianist, Armstrong had snatched over 25 national and international First Prizes. He’s worked with Itzhak Perlman, played Carnegie and Wigmore, and once inspired the iconic Van Cliburn to cheer from the audience, “Fabulous! Fabulous!” The American-based pianist could tour to almost anywhere in the world, and frequently stops in Winnipeg. Last time he played with the MCO, it was to accompany his long-time collaborator violinist James Ehnes; this time his recital partner is another local great, Karl Stobbe. During the curtain call, you’ll surely hear echoes of Cliburn’s ecstatic praise.