Posted on Facebook 4/1
We were reduced to rubble by “The Lark Ascending.” Immerse yourself in the beauty of Erin Keefe’s haunting performance this Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
The Minnesota Orchestra hosted an open rehearsal Wednesday afternoon for people who had contributed to its Guaranty Fund. Several of us from SOSMN had schedules that allowed us to attend, and “The Lark Ascending” was the first piece they rehearsed. It was absolutely spellbinding from the very first notes. What a brilliant performance by our Concertmaster, Ms. Keefe, and what strong, sensitive, expressive playing from her colleagues – wow, just wow.
Our friend, blogger Scott Chamberlain (Mask of the Flower Prince) offered his very insightful and personal perspectives on the piece in a post this afternoon. Scott says, “Let me be blunt… there has never been a more beautiful, heart-searing flow of music. Taking the part of the lark, the solo violin soars into stratospheric heights at the very top of its register, so that it is barely audible at all. Beneath this, the orchestra lays out a shimmering landscape below, evoking a lush spring morning at its verdant finest. The contrast between them gives the work a feeling of astonishing freedom, of absolute weightlessness untouched by fear, doubt or any earthly care. The lark’s song is a joyful affirmation of simply… being.” Read Scott’s whole post here: https://maskoftheflowerprince.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/a-concert-ascending/
This weekend’s program also includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Russian Easter Overture,” Messiaen’s “Exotic Birds” (we heard this rehearsed this afternoon too – a powerful, complex, brilliant work for woodwind, brass, percussion and piano virtuosos), and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 – all under the direction of Maestro Osmo Vänskä – really, don’t miss it. If you can’t be there in person, be sure to listen to Friday night’s live broadcast on MPR: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/programs/minnesota_orchestra/ But we hope to see you at one of the performances! Tickets and more info here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/376/-/spirit-spring-beethoven-s-eroica#.VRyzH_nF_l8
If you’d like to sample the music on this concert, just click the “Spotify” link at the bottom of the Orchestra’s webpage for this concert. If you’ve had problems with Spotify in the past, give it a try again! The technology behind Spotify has been recently upgraded, and you should now be able to click right into the music for this program.
We were reduced to rubble by “The Lark Ascending.” Immerse yourself in the beauty of Erin Keefe’s haunting performance this Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
The Minnesota Orchestra hosted an open rehearsal Wednesday afternoon for people who had contributed to its Guaranty Fund. Several of us from SOSMN had schedules that allowed us to attend, and “The Lark Ascending” was the first piece they rehearsed. It was absolutely spellbinding from the very first notes. What a brilliant performance by our Concertmaster, Ms. Keefe, and what strong, sensitive, expressive playing from her colleagues – wow, just wow.
Our friend, blogger Scott Chamberlain (Mask of the Flower Prince) offered his very insightful and personal perspectives on the piece in a post this afternoon. Scott says, “Let me be blunt… there has never been a more beautiful, heart-searing flow of music. Taking the part of the lark, the solo violin soars into stratospheric heights at the very top of its register, so that it is barely audible at all. Beneath this, the orchestra lays out a shimmering landscape below, evoking a lush spring morning at its verdant finest. The contrast between them gives the work a feeling of astonishing freedom, of absolute weightlessness untouched by fear, doubt or any earthly care. The lark’s song is a joyful affirmation of simply… being.” Read Scott’s whole post here: https://maskoftheflowerprince.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/a-concert-ascending/
This weekend’s program also includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Russian Easter Overture,” Messiaen’s “Exotic Birds” (we heard this rehearsed this afternoon too – a powerful, complex, brilliant work for woodwind, brass, percussion and piano virtuosos), and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 – all under the direction of Maestro Osmo Vänskä – really, don’t miss it. If you can’t be there in person, be sure to listen to Friday night’s live broadcast on MPR: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/programs/minnesota_orchestra/ But we hope to see you at one of the performances! Tickets and more info here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/376/-/spirit-spring-beethoven-s-eroica#.VRyzH_nF_l8
If you’d like to sample the music on this concert, just click the “Spotify” link at the bottom of the Orchestra’s webpage for this concert. If you’ve had problems with Spotify in the past, give it a try again! The technology behind Spotify has been recently upgraded, and you should now be able to click right into the music for this program.
Posted on Facebook 3/22
Easter weekend will be downright transcendent at Orchestra Hall!
On April 2-3-4 hear Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Russian Easter Overture,” Vaughan Williams’ “The Lark Ascending,” Messiaen’s “Exotic Birds,” and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 – all under the direction of Maestro Osmo Vänskä with our spectacular concertmaster Erin Keefe on “The Lark Ascending” and pianist Timothy Lovelace on “Exotic Birds” and of course our marvelous Minnesota Orchestra – what more could you ask for?
Well, perhaps you might ask for a bit of insight around the spiritual aspects of spring, Easter, regeneration, etc. reflected in this program’s music – if so, you’re in luck because MPR’s Lynne Warfel will moderate a pre-concert discussion on Thursday morning and Friday evening with
* The Right Reverend Mariann Budde, Bishop of Washington, National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. (and former Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Linden Hills)
* Archpriest Andrew Morby, Dean, St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral
* Rabbi Sim Glaser, Temple Israel
Per the Orchestra’s website, “Topics will range from the role of nature worship in ancient cultures to solstice ceremonies and the ideas of rebirth, regeneration and resurrection – as reflected today in the practices of various faiths and in the music performed in this week’s program. The Orchestra’s approaching trip to Cuba also opens the door to discussions on liberation theology, forgiveness, grace and new beginnings.” Admission is free with your concert ticket. More info here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/565/-/community-conversations-spirit-spring#.VQ6uAo7F_l8
Some tickets ($30-$69) remain for each performance. Additional details and ticketing here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/376/-/spirit-spring-beethoven-s-eroica#.VQ6wnY7F_l_
Public Rush tickets for unsold seats are available starting one hour prior to the concert, $35 top-priced seating sections; $25 all other locations. Call Ticket Services (612.371.5656) on the concert date to inquire if rush tickets will be offered. Limit 4.
Easter weekend will be downright transcendent at Orchestra Hall!
On April 2-3-4 hear Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Russian Easter Overture,” Vaughan Williams’ “The Lark Ascending,” Messiaen’s “Exotic Birds,” and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 – all under the direction of Maestro Osmo Vänskä with our spectacular concertmaster Erin Keefe on “The Lark Ascending” and pianist Timothy Lovelace on “Exotic Birds” and of course our marvelous Minnesota Orchestra – what more could you ask for?
Well, perhaps you might ask for a bit of insight around the spiritual aspects of spring, Easter, regeneration, etc. reflected in this program’s music – if so, you’re in luck because MPR’s Lynne Warfel will moderate a pre-concert discussion on Thursday morning and Friday evening with
* The Right Reverend Mariann Budde, Bishop of Washington, National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. (and former Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Linden Hills)
* Archpriest Andrew Morby, Dean, St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral
* Rabbi Sim Glaser, Temple Israel
Per the Orchestra’s website, “Topics will range from the role of nature worship in ancient cultures to solstice ceremonies and the ideas of rebirth, regeneration and resurrection – as reflected today in the practices of various faiths and in the music performed in this week’s program. The Orchestra’s approaching trip to Cuba also opens the door to discussions on liberation theology, forgiveness, grace and new beginnings.” Admission is free with your concert ticket. More info here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/565/-/community-conversations-spirit-spring#.VQ6uAo7F_l8
Some tickets ($30-$69) remain for each performance. Additional details and ticketing here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/376/-/spirit-spring-beethoven-s-eroica#.VQ6wnY7F_l_
Public Rush tickets for unsold seats are available starting one hour prior to the concert, $35 top-priced seating sections; $25 all other locations. Call Ticket Services (612.371.5656) on the concert date to inquire if rush tickets will be offered. Limit 4.