Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

press release: Masterworks II: Harp & Haydn

REPERTOIRE

PROKOFIEV | Sinfonietta

GINASTERA | Harp Concerto

HAYDN | Symphony No. 88

Join us for Harp and Haydn, taking place on Friday, February 25. We are thrilled to announce that harpist Bridget Kibbey will be joining us for this upcoming performance. Yolanda Kondonassis, our originally scheduled soloist, recently incurred a wrist injury due to slipping on ice, and must regretfully withdraw from the performance with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m.

Join us for a pre-concert discussion with Maestro Andrew Sewell and our soloist for the evening, Bridget Kibbey. The discussion will be moderated by WCO Violinist Wes Luke. The pre-concert event is free for all ticket holders. 

Doors open at 6:15 PM for the pre-concert event and the discussion begins at 6:30 PM. 

Alberto Ginastera’s Harp Concerto of 1965 was written for the great harpist of the twentieth century, Nicanor Zabaleta. Written in an idiomic style for the harp including many special effects, it is a spectacular work to enjoy live.

Prokofiev’s Sinfonietta is an early work from 1909 and was dedicated to his conducting teacher, Nikolai Tcherepnin of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Following further revisions, this version from 1930 shows a lighter, more humorous side to Prokofiev’s nature.

Haydn’s Symphony No. 88 from 1787 follows his six Paris Symphonies and is one of his more popular symphonies with an exciting moto perpetuo finale. Combining two twentieth century works and finishing with Haydn is classic WCO fare, inspiring our musicians to come alive with spectacular vitality.

Called the “Yo-Yo Ma of the harp,” by Vogue Senior Editor Corey Seymour, Bridget Kibbey is in demand for her innovative, virtuosic performances that expand the expressive range of the harp. As a soloist and collaborator with today’s top artists, she crosses genres to emphasize and elevate the harp’s role through centuries and cultures of music. 

Bridget Kibbey currently tours several projects of her own conception — ranging from French Masterworks of the Belle Époque, to the riches of Baroque Counterpoint, to popular folk music from South America to Sephardic and Persian traditions. Kibbey has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician in festivals across the globe.