Arts & Culture

Have you ever been out for a walk and seen one of those little libraries that people have on their lawns encouraging people to take a book, or leave a book? Sometimes you find a book that looks interesting and sometimes not so much. Regardless, it is always fascinating to see what is there and try to figure out what books have been left by strangers and what books were donated by the owner of the house.

Delve into the marvelous sound world of Florence Price every day this week at 1:00pm  as we continue to celebrate the lush tapestry of music of black composers.

Monday, February 19: Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major (1939)

Tuesday, February 20: Symphony no. 3 (1938-1940)

Wednesday, February 21:Piano Quintet in A minor (1936?)

Thursday, February 22: Mississippi Suite (1934)

Friday, February 23: Symphony no.1 (1931-1932)

The Manitoba Band Association’s (MBA) Family of Festivals is quickly approaching.  

Next week, the Concert Band Festival takes place at the RBC Convention Centre with the Jazz Band Festival at the CCFM the week following.  

Ahead of their performance at the MBA, a group of 11 Grade 8 saxophonists popped by the Classic 107 studio to perform live on Thursday morning.  

Under the direction of band teacher Vanessa Nowastawski, the ensemble performed two iconic tunes: “Summertime” and “Celebration!”  

Starting on February 16 and running until February 24, the Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) in collaboration with Le Petit Théâtre de Sherbrooke from Quebec, and La Parenthèse Ensemble from France, will be presenting a show that gets children and parents thinking about stereotypes we often project on ourselves and others.

The Problem With Pink is a show that explores such cultural issues as Gender, tolerance, openness, diversity and living together.

The ultimate love story plays out on the Centennial Concert Hall stage this week as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents Romeo and Juliet.  

Move over, Shakespeare.  

A timeless tragedy by the great bard won’t be the only story playing out on the Centennial Concert Hall stage this week. 

“Like Romeo and Juliet but we’re not a couple,” quips Craig Ramsay. “It’s a love story, a friendship, that has been through a lot.”  

Alongside best friend Catherine Wreford, the pair reprise the roles of Lord and Lady Capulet in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet production. 

A little bit of Monday morning jazz opened the week as a seven-piece ensemble packed horns, bass, piano, kit and vibes (yes, vibraphone!) into the Classic 107 studio!  

Tune in this week every day at 1:00pm as we will play selections from William Grant Still’s compositional output.

Monday, February 12: Symphony no.1 "Afro American" (1930, revised in 1969)

Tuesday, February 13: Lyric Quartet (1960) and Yamekraw- A Negro Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra (Music by James Johnson; Orchestration by William Grant Still)

Wednesday, February 14; Symphony no 2. "Song of a New Race" (1937)

Earlier today Classic 107’s own Chris Wolf stopped by Dalhousie School to read to a class of Grade five students. Dalhousie school was the first winner of the “I Love to Read” contest with McNally and Classic 107 for this month of February. This is a contest that rejoices in the fact that February is “I Love to Read Month.”

Chris and his colleague Rachel Olson stopped by Dalhousie School with a bag full of books for the students at school, and the teacher/librarian that entered the school into the contest Tamara Petkau.

The world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa died of heart failure on Tuesday at the age of 88. The news was announced by his management on Friday. 

In 1959, the Japanese-born maestro won first prize at an international competition for young conductors in France.

Ozawa spent time studying with the renowned Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan in Germany before he caught the attention of American maestro Leonard Bernstein. This paved the way for him to become assistant conductor at the New York Philharmonic in 1961.