02/17/2026
"Music does bring people together. It allows us to experience the same emotions. People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit. No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves: We are the same." - John Denver
For its winter concert, the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir will share music from the four cardinal points, presenting songs familiar and new in 13 languages and from 16 countries and traditions. Let us take you Around the World in 80 Minutes at 3pm on Sunday, March 1 at Westworth United Church.
Playing off the title of Jules Verne’s 1872 novel “Around the World in 80 Days,” The Phil will take the audience across the globe on the wings of choral works from the four cardinal points.
From the North, the choir will sing works from Scandinavian and Baltic composers, rounded out with Winnipegger Andrew Balfour’s “Sound Prayer for Mother Earth” and a contemporary arrangement of the traditional Québécois folk song, “C’est l’aviron” by Donald Patriquin, to highlight Manitoba’s Indigenous and Franco-Manitoban roots. Highlights from the South include pieces by Brazilian and Argentine composers, ending with two rousing choral works from South Africa.
From the East we feature songs from Japan, South Korea and China, culminating with a Filipino folksong arranged by Winnipeg-born composer and conductor Philip Lapatha. Finally, from the West will come pieces from France, Spain, the UK and Germany. Here there are some names many people will know, though these pieces may be unfamiliar.
Led by Yuri Klaz, The Phil and pianist Donna Laube will be joined by guest artists Jackson Bartel and Will Spencler, percussion; and violist Paolo Camus.
Concert Details:
Date: Sunday 1 March 2026
Time: 3:00pm
Location: Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor at Lanark
Tickets: $40 adult; $35 Senior; $20 under 30; free for 12 and under, at the door, at https://www.thephil.ca/concerts or call 204-896-7445.
