TVO's world premiere of Silence at the Heart of Things celebrates the
remarkable life and music of Canadian fiddler Oliver Schroer

TORONTO, June 1 /CNW/ - TVO's Masterworks presents the world premiere of Silence at the Heart of Things, a celebration of the remarkable life and career of Canadian musician Oliver Schroer, who died after a yearlong battle with leukemia in 2008.

Airing on Thursday June 17 at 10 pm, Silence at the Heart of Things follows Schroer in the last months of his life as he collaborates with musicians who have come from abroad to work with him. It also explores his music and the unique voice he brought to his instrument, one that challenges traditional views of the fiddle.

Though his career was cut short by illness, Schroer recorded and produced more than 100 albums, composed some 1,000 pieces of music and inspired a generation of young musicians.

Silence at the Heart of Things is part of Masterworks' June lineup of music documentaries that showcase the stories and music of talented artists from Canada and around the world.

To preview a clip of Silence at the Heart of Things please visit: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/tvo/june2010/.

Descriptions of the other Masterworks documentaries in June follow below.

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Thursday June 3 at 10 pm

Four outstanding violinists, in the four seasons, in four corners of the globe take you on an extraordinary journey through their homelands. From the springtime blossoms of Japan, into the blistering heat and building thunderstorms of an Australian summer, from a joyful autumn in New York, to the unforgiving cold and human warmth of a Finnish winter. The resonant and much-loved music of Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" and the timeless stories the musicians tell form the backbone of this bold and engaging celebration of friendship, homeland and the cycles of life.

Billy Bang's Redemption Song

Thursday June 10 at 10 pm

In 1967, renowned musician Billy Bang was conscripted to fight in Vietnam, an experience that left him profoundly confused about his American identity. Upon his return home he tried to forget his nightmares through drugs and music. Forty years later he returns to Vietnam with his violin, eager to find closure for trauma.

Soweto Strings

Thursday June 24 at 10 pm

Under the polluted mining slag near Soweto, in a township dominated by violence, AIDS and poverty, kids of all ages play Bach, Mozart and Bartok with a unique flair. It all happens at the Buskaid music school, founded by distinguished viola player Valerie Nalden, whose passionate commitment enables these children to flourish.

About TVO

TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. For more information, visit tvo.org.

Where to find TVO

Cable channel 2 (channel may vary in some areas), Bell TV channel 265, Shaw Direct channel 353.

For further information: Media contact: Lesley Horlick, TVO, Communications, [phone] ext. 2281, [email protected]