The Arts

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Cello Festival of Canada sweet-sounding success

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 06/23/2011 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

WINNIPEG'S International Cello Festival of Canada was a sweet-sounding success that drew more than 5,000 music-lovers to concerts, master classes, talks and other events, the Winnipeg Arts Council has announced.

The five-day, multi-venue festival, which ended Sunday, was the first of its kind in Canada.

It was "filled with inspiration, exhilaration and passion," said Ottawa-based festival artistic director Paul Marleyn, a participating cellist and former Winnipegger. "We've seen phenomenal virtuosity and breathtaking artistry from everyone involved."

Jointly produced by WAC and the Agassiz Music Festival, the cello extravaganza was the final event of Winnipeg's $4-million Cultural Capital of Canada 2010 program, which spilled over into 2011. It showcased the cello in chamber works, solo recitals and concertos performed with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Star cellists included Shauna Rolston, Yegor Dyachkov and Denise Djokic from Canada, Jian Wang from China, Frans Helmerson from Sweden, Colin Carr from England and brothers Patrick and Thomas Demenga from Switzerland.

There were several sold-out shows, including Friday's Mellow Cellos and Saturday's Bach Solo Cello Suites by Candlelight.

The Zara Nelsova Award for an emerging Canadian cellist was won by Se-Doo Park, who is pursuing her master's degree at the Juilliard School. Park received a cash award and invitations to perform in Winnipeg's Virtuosi series during the 2012-13 season and at Ottawa's 2012 Music and Beyond Festival.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 23, 2011 D2

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