A Note from the Concertmaster
- News
Karl Stobbe shares a message with audiences as he begins his first season in the role.
“Dear Friends, Family, Colleagues, Patrons, and Symphony Lovers,
The upcoming 2025/2026 Season will be my 29th with the WSO. The number of fabulous concerts I have been part of is in the thousands now, and I’m looking forward to many more seasons of providing exceptional musical experiences for the people of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and wherever else we may travel. As the incoming Concertmaster, my role will be changing, and that is really adding to my excitement for our season opener.
I’m equally excited to be introducing some new musicians as well, including our Principal Cellist, Elie Boissinot, and our Principal Flutist, Christian Paquette. Just as I have felt the love of Winnipeg throughout my time here, I know they’ll feel incredibly welcome in this great orchestra.
As for the upcoming season—we start on September 27th and play concerts nearly every week until the end of May. I am often asked which concerts I would recommend. For this season, I have to say a very whole-hearted: ‘ALL OF THEM!!!'”
Concertmaster Karl Stobbe, photo by Jerry Grajewski
“For anyone who doesn’t know me, the music I love the most will be featured in the three different Classics Series. Every one of those concerts will be my new favourite, so don’t ask me to pick between Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Brahms, Strauss, etc.!!!
Of course, the movies will be fun (I am the orchestra’s resident Slytherin House representative from Harry Potter), and our Live at the WSO concerts will be fantastic. There are always a few concerts where I have no idea what to expect — Brawl at the Hall with our guests from Winnipeg Pro Wrestling is sure to be among the wildest concerts I have ever participated in; The Music of Studio Ghibli will be a new experience for me, but I’ve heard that the collaboration of music and anime from this group is incredible; From the Inside Out invites audience to sit onstage alongside the orchestra, and the Winnipeg New Music Festival always has a surprise or two!
We have great music, great guests coming, a great Music Director in Daniel Raiskin, and of course, great musicians. We’re all looking forward to every note and to every patron who comes through our doors. So please take a look through our WSO website, find the concerts that appeal to you and your concert friends, and make plans to come!”
Karl Stobbe
WSO Concertmaster
