Co-presented by The University of Winnipeg & Virtuosi Concerts Inc.

Artistic Director: Harry Strub, University of Winnipeg

Who We Are

Virtuosi Concerts Inc. (VCI) is Winnipeg's premier recital and

chamber music series.

Based out of Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall at The University of Winnipeg,

Virtuosi Concerts takes pride in being able to provide concerts of

excellence to the entire Winnipeg community.

”Virtuosi has provided such a consistent quality of concerts over the

years that its audience trusts the organizers – believing that if VCI is

putting it on, it must be worthwhile” (Gwenda Nemerofsky, Winnipeg

Free Press)

Virtuosi Concerts presents 12 concerts as well as a spring festival

each year. Of the 12 "regular" season concerts, 3 are "Concerts with

Commentary: The Artists of Prairie Debut", 2 are Virtuosi

Internationale – featuring international artists, and the 12th is called

...and now for something completely different - a unique and special

concept - concert. Click here to see our past seasons.

“No university in Canada has come close to presenting such an

array of guest artists in recital” (Robert Silverman, pianist and former

UBC Dean of Music)

For the last 10 years, Virtuosi Festivals has invited Canadian artists to

tackle the entire oeuvre of a composers' work. This “festival formula”

has typically featured complete cycles of works in a genre, by the

greatest composers, performed by leading musicians. These festivals

were all unique, adventuresome and pioneering projects of great

cultural significance, experienced for the first time in Winnipeg:

1999 Beethovenfest: The Piano Sonatas

Robert Silverman, piano

2000 Brahmsfest: The Piano Trios

David Stewart, violin · Paul Marleyn, cello · Boris Berman, piano

2001 Bachfest: The Cello Suites

Paul Marleyn, cello · Arek Tesarczyk, cello

2002 Beethovenfest: The Piano-Cello Sonatas

Sara Laimon, piano · Paul Marleyn, cello

2003 Beethovenfest: The Piano-Violin Sonatas

Andrew Dawes, violin · Jane Coop, piano

2004 Beethovenfest: The Piano Trios

Martin Riseley, violin · Paul Marleyn, cello · Stéphane Lemelin, piano

2005 Beethovenfest: The String Quartets

Lafayette String Quartet

2006 Mozartfest: The Piano Sonatas

Robert Silverman, piano

2007 Mozart&More: The Piano Trios

Gryphon Trio

2008 Festivale Internationale: Five Countries

Triple Forte

In addition, VCI is proud to co-present Skywalk Concerts &

Lectures at the new Millennium Library, with 20 concerts and 20

lectures annually. Since 1990, we have produced over 550 events

serving more than 30,000 patrons, all for free admission. The

concerts typically feature world music, jazz, folk and classical as well.

This series is a showcase opportunity exclusively for Manitoba artists.

The Ashkenazy Steinway

The Steinway concert grand piano in the University of Winnipeg’s

225-seat Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall (EGH) was originally selected by

John Steinway and pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy. They had chosen it for

the opening of Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall in 1982 and the inaugural

recital with legendary pianist Claudio Arrau whose signature is

inscribed inside the piano. It was later recommended to us by pianist

Antonin Kubalek and acquired in 1993, the year EGH opened. The

Steinway has since been completely restored and is lovingly

maintained by Steinway technician Fred Redekop.

Virtuosi Concerts is assisted by: