CBC Winnipeg Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The CBC Winnipeg Orchestra (CBCWO) was a Canadian
orchestra
based in Winnipeg
, Manitoba
that was operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
for 37 years. The orchestra mainly performed on CBC Radio
, but also occasionally performed live concerts in Winnipeg. It was established in 1947 under the leadership of conductor Eric Wild
. Wild remained principal conductor for 27 years. During his tenure he conducted the premieres of several works by Canadian composers. He notably recorded Calixa Lavallée
's comic opera The Widow with the CBCWO in 1967. Upon Wild's retirement in 1974, the CBCWO's concertmaster
Arthur Polson served as interim director. In 1975 Boris Brott
was appointed conductor of the orchestra. He remained in that post until the orchestra was disbanded in 1984.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
based in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
that was operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
for 37 years. The orchestra mainly performed on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
, but also occasionally performed live concerts in Winnipeg. It was established in 1947 under the leadership of conductor Eric Wild
Eric Wild (conductor)
Eric Lees Wild was a Canadian conductor, trumpeter, arranger, and composer.-Life and career:Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Wild studied conducting and arranging at the University of Michigan where he earned a Bachelor of Music in 1932...
. Wild remained principal conductor for 27 years. During his tenure he conducted the premieres of several works by Canadian composers. He notably recorded Calixa Lavallée
Calixa Lavallée
Calixa Lavallée, , born Calixte Lavallée, was a French-Canadian-American musician and Union officer during the American Civil War who composed the music for O Canada, which officially became the national anthem of Canada in 1980.-Biography:Calixa Lavallée was born at Verchères, a suburb of...
's comic opera The Widow with the CBCWO in 1967. Upon Wild's retirement in 1974, the CBCWO's concertmaster
Concertmaster
The concertmaster/mistress is the spalla or leader, of the first violin section of an orchestra. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader...
Arthur Polson served as interim director. In 1975 Boris Brott
Boris Brott
Boris Brott, OC, O.Ont is a Canadian conductor and motivational speaker.Born in Montreal, the son of violinist and composer Alexander Brott and cellist Lotte Brott, and brother of cellist Denis Brott....
was appointed conductor of the orchestra. He remained in that post until the orchestra was disbanded in 1984.