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November 29/30 - FANTASIA

11/29/2014

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Posted on Facebook 11/17

Disney’s FANTASIA with live orchestra – Saturday & Sunday of Thanksgiving week – just a few tickets remain – get yours now!

Here’s a challenge for you Baby Boomers and other Disney fans: how many of the classical masterpieces can you name from this 1940 (yikes!) film without looking? The list is on MOA’s webpage for this concert, but here’s a big hint: it includes works of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Stravinsky, Ponchielli, Dukas, Elgar and Respighi.

See the full list and get your tickets here:  http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/…/disney-fantasia-live-in… or by calling 612.371.5656 or 800.292.4141. And don’t worry if only side balcony box seats are available – you will be able to see the big screen from there and hear just fine!

[We are now posting our concert insights to our website as well as Facebook. You can see the November concert info here:  http://www.saveoursymphonymn.org/november-2014 Please share it with your friends who aren't on Facebook. And, as always, let us know if YOU would like to contribute insights on upcoming concerts - just write to us anytime at [email protected] You can remain anonymous if you wish, or we would would be happy to acknowledge you!]

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November 21/22/23 Concerts - Bassoons, Gabrieli Brass, Tchaikovsky 5

11/21/2014

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Posted on Facebook 11/21

TONIGHT ONLY! Members of the Minnesota Bassoon Association perform in small ensembles and as a large bassoon choir as part of the pre-concert presentation in the Atrium. NOWHERE else will you hear such a thing! If you have tickets to tonight’s concert, be sure to get there early for this experience. The MN Bassoon Association is "he only active and unaffiliated bassoon club in the USA, and perhaps in the world!"http://www.minnesotabassoon.org/

This week’s concert is repeated Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, but tonight is the only time to hear a bunch of bassoonists en masse! Tickets here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/345/-/musician-spotlight-celebrating-john-miller-jr#.VGKcW_nF_l8

And did you see Norbert Nielubowski’s terrific article about the bassoon on MPR’s website? If not, click here:http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2014/11/18/the-bassoonist-s-view-of-the-orchestra

For a compendium of other info and insights about this weekend’s concerts, visit our website: http://www.saveoursymphonymn.org/november-2014/nov-212223-concerts



Posted on Facebook 11/18

Gabrieli Brass! Dietter Bassoons! Eiji directing Tchaikovsky 5!

It’s a MN Orchestra Hat Trick this weekend!

The concert opens with four glorious pieces for double brass choir (trumpets, horns, trombones and tubas) by Giovanni Gabrieli (born 1554), featuring our amazing brass section positioned antiphonally on opposite sides of the stage. This is thrilling, chilling stuff!

Next, the mellow double reeds are featured in Christian Ludwig Dietter’s (born 1757) Concerto for Two Bassoons, featuring the Orchestra’s longest-tenured principal musician John Miller, Jr. and his section colleagues. Each movement of the concerto will feature a different bassoonist playing with him, which is very unusual. John says, “To my knowledge, no one has done this before in any major orchestra concert series.”

And after intermission, the warm and wonderful 5th Symphony of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (born 1840). Cellists Beth Rapier and Tony Ross write: “Eiji Oue is one of the most exciting Tchaikovsky conductors in the world. Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony is one of the most lush, exciting, tuneful, and beloved (including the slow movement that inspired the pop version "Annie's Song" sung by John Denver – listen for that!).”

So brave the cold this weekend and be warmed-up in body and soul at Orchestra Hall. Tickets here:   http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/…/musician-spotlight-cele…

[We have started posting perspectives on upcoming concerts to our website (as well as to this Facebook page). We hope that you will find it a convenient location for getting info and sharing it with your friends, especially those who aren’t on Facebook! This program’s page is here:  http://www.saveoursymphonymn.org/novemb…/nov-212223-concerts ]

Posted on Facebook 11/13

"400-year-old stereophonic sound!" We asked Principal Trombone Doug Wright for his thoughts on the Gabrieli Double Brass Choir music that he and his colleagues will be performing a week from now, opening the November 21/22/23 concerts. Not surprisingly, we got some terrific insights and some personal stories to boot! Read on….

Doug wrote: “Did you know that Gabrieli invented stereophonic sound several centuries ago? Well, sort of. Gabrieli wrote numerous pieces for multiple brass choirs to be performed antiphonally, meaning that brass choirs would be positioned in various points of a concert hall, cathedral, courtyard, or any number of performance spaces. The music at times sounds like a statement followed by an echo. At other times, all choirs play together to produce a glorious “stereophonic” sound.

“The Minnesota Orchestra brass section will be performing four of his double choir pieces under the baton of Eiji Oue as part of next week’s concerts. We will position ourselves on opposite sides of the stage in order to create that antiphonal sound. In Orchestra Hall’s acoustics, this will sound truly special.

“Performing these great pieces with the tremendous brass section that we have here is going to be a lot of fun. However, there’s a bit more to it than that for me. One of the first times I ever traveled to Minneapolis was over 20 years ago when I was a member of the Empire Brass Quintet. We came here to perform music by Gabrieli with the Minnesota Orchestra’s brass section on a Sommerfest concert under the direction of--you guessed it--Eiji Oue, who had not yet been named Music Director here. It was a great concert that I still remember some 20 years later. Life can be ironic sometimes....

“As if the brass section taking center stage isn’t enough reason to visit Orchestra Hall next week, there’s Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony (featuring wondrous sounds from our principal horn player, Michael Gast, not to mention more brass!), a bassoon extravaganza, and a “welcome back” to Maestro Eiji Oue to help twist your arm. We hope to see you there!”

Thanks, Doug!

For tickets: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/…/musician-spotlight-cele…

Posted on Facebook 11/11

Bubonic Bassoons? Neo-Bubonic Bassoons? Read all about them in our friend Emily Hogstad’s (“Song of the Lark”) interview of Principal Bassoonist John Miller, Jr., who is soloing and being honored at the Nov. 21/22/23 concerts. 

Emily: What about the bassoon attracted you to it? How did you come to play it?
John: “I began to play the bassoon accidentally because I met a professional bassoonist at the music store where I was taking piano lessons as a boy. I liked him and started lessons after he suggested it. That bassoonist, Louis Skinner, was a former member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and a world-famous bassoon reed maker, so I got a good start. The rest is history.”

Emily: Do you know anything about Dietter or how he came to write a concerto for this relatively unusual combination? What's your history with the piece?
John: “Christian Dietter was a contemporary of Mozart's and was well-regarded in his time. He also conducted. We don't know why he wrote this concerto, but he also wrote another one for two bassoons! The one I am playing is No. 2. I have performed the piece with many different bassoonists, and in many places, including England, Australia, and cities throughout the USA.”

Emily: Besides this one, what concerts this season really showcase the bassoon that you're looking forward to playing?
John: “Stravinsky's Rite of Spring is coming up in April and this has one of the most famous bassoon solos ever written. The bassoon begins the piece all alone, and commences to play some very high notes that got much attention at the first performances.”

Emily: You play in the Bubonic Bassoon Quartet... OK, I have to ask: what's the story behind that group and name??
John: “Actually, ‘played.’ I formed the Bubonic Bassoon Quartet during my youthful days in Boston, and it was active only from 1963 -1969. The name was chosen for its incongruous, improbable, and humorous implications, (plus the alliteration - we had to have multiple "B" sounds!) It appears that with this group I invented the genre of humorous bassoon ensemble concerts, which included costumes, skits and funny musical arrangements. Since that time bassoon ensembles have proliferated; and the concept, the music we created for it, and the recording we did in 1968 have spread to almost all parts of the world. In 1999 I did record another program of similar music by one of my students from that era, Steve Young. Along with Minnesota Orchestra member Norbert Nielubowski, and two other colleagues we called ourselves the Neo-Bubonic Bassoon Quartet.”

Emily: Lots of people don't know that you also have a degree from MIT. Tell us more about that! Do you think high-level players like yourself benefit from going to school for subjects outside of music?
John: “I went to MIT because I wanted a broader education than I could get at a music school, but in order to do that you must be pretty far along in playing ability on your instrument while you are still in high school. I was fortunate to have advanced quickly on the bassoon which I started at age 12. By the time I was in high school I was already playing professionally in Baltimore, and all of my teachers and conductors assured me that I did not need to attend a conservatory to realize my ambition to become a full-time bassoonist. So, as you can tell from this explanation, I never changed my focus or career direction, and if I could do it over again, I would still go to MIT for the inspiration and intellectually rigorous training I received there. During my four undergraduate years I devoted all of my spare time to the bassoon, and when I graduated I just switched to musical activities exclusively.”

Emily: What are your favorite things about each of the three colleagues who will be playing with you?
John: “I am very happy that because of my long tenure I have been able to help select each member of my section. Our bassoon section has a unified approach, a similar concept of tone, and shared musical values that make us rank with the best in any orchestra anywhere!”

Thanks, John (and Emily) for these illuminating stories and inside scoops! 

Find ticketing and more concert info here:http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/345/-/musician-spotlight-celebrating-john-miller-jr#.VGKcW_nF_l8

So what do you think, will John and his colleagues be wearing amusing costumes for this concert? Guess we’ll all just have to come and see!

Posted on Facebook 11/6

BASSOON FANS! BASSOON-CURIOUS!

Meet and talk with John Miller, Jr. (and his colleagues in the mighty bassoon section) at FOMO’s event the evening of Thursday, 11/13. John is the founder of the Bubonic Bassoon Quartet, so you know that a conversation with him is bound to be fun! A light supper and wine are part of the evening too. Here’s a link to FOMO’s post about their “Accent – Lifelong Learning” event: http://www.friendsofminnesotaorchestra.org/accent/accent-brings-you-bassoons-and-fun-november-13-at-530-pm/

John will be honored at the November 21-22-23 concerts and will be performing the Dietter Concerto for Two Bassoons, with one of his colleagues joining him on the 2nd part for each of the movements. Info and ticketing is here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/345/-/musician-spotlight-celebrating-john-miller-jr#.VFul9vnF_l8

Here’s a link to John’s bio: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/about/who-we-are/artists-and-performers/orchestra-musicians/330-bassoon/723-john-miller-jr

Don’t miss this chance to interact with a fascinating musician and learn more about this fascinating instrument!

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November 15 NightCap - Souvenir de Florence

11/15/2014

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Posted on Facebook 11/11/14

Read what violist Ken Freed told us about Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence,” which will be performed in Saturday’s “NightCap” at 10:30 pm in the Target Atrium. Then grab some tickets (just $15) right away – the Atrium seats only 225. Ticketing here:http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/440/-/nightcap-souvenir-de-florence#.VGIWKfnF_l8

Ken says: “What I love about this piece is that it is a kaleidoscope of extreme moods. 

“There is turbulent passion, vulnerability, eastern orthodox piety, endless singing lines, and of course ballet and whirling dervish music. Playing with my colleagues in the Atrium promises to be a real treat. The intimacy of chamber music is a visceral thrill for audiences and players alike. This music will get your heart racing and bring tears to your eyes. 

“Up close and personal. You cannot miss this romantic treat. Hoping the bar has plenty of vodka shots on hand!”

Don’t miss it! Ken is joined by Rebecca Corruccini, Jonathan Magness, Sam Bergman, Beth Rapier and Arek Tesarcyk for this fascinating piece in this intimate setting. And the bar will be open!
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November 13/14/15 Concert - Nazaykinskaya, Mozart, Prokofiev

11/13/2014

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Posted on Facebook 11/15/14

OK, if some of you STILL are undecided about attending tonight’s concert, check out our friend Emily Hogstad’s post at her Song of the Lark blog:  http://songofthelark.wordpress.com/…/microreview-minnesota…/

A few seats are open in each section, so buy your tickets right now here:  http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/…/the-art-of-russia-the-s… 
or by calling the box office at 612.371.5656 or 800.292.4141. Or you could head down to Orchestra Hall this evening to sang any last-minute turn-backs or “rush” tickets.

An excerpt re. “Winter Bells”: “Ah well. If women could only make one contribution to programming this year, 'Winter Bells' was definitely a fabulous choice. How often does a work by a 22-year-old hold up against Prokofiev and Mozart? The orchestra’s treatment of the gorgeous score felt hugely confident; the lower brass blasted away with spectacular abandon. And the way the sound evaporated away at the end? Pure magic.”

And an excerpt re. the Prokofiev 5th Symphony: “Prokofiev 5 was the meat of the program. Gleaming propulsive meat, with an earnestly, sometimes nostalgically, beating heart…and a dash of insanity. The intensity of the last few notes of the first movement was simply shattering.”

See our other posts about this concert here:http://www.saveoursymphonymn.org/novembe…/nov-131415-concert

Posted on Facebook 11/14/14

If you’re undecided about attending this weekend’s concert, check out Rob Hubbard’s review for the PioneerPress: http://www.twincities.com/…/minnesota-orchestra-creates-chi…

Then get your tickets here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/…/the-art-of-russia-the-s…

If you’d like to read our prior posts about this concert, we’ve assembled them here: http://www.saveoursymphonymn.org/novembe…/nov-131415-concert Please share this with non-Facebooker friends who might be interested!

And don’t forget Saturday’s 10:30 pm “NightCap” performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence.” Insights on that event from Ken Freed are here: http://www.saveoursymphonymn.org/no…/nov-15-nightcap-concert

Posted on Facebook 11/13/14

"Come for the music, stay for the conductor!" So writes an SOSMN friend who wants to remain anonymous, but who provides even more good reasons to grab tickets for this weekend’s concerts. Read on….

“So maybe you're more into the visual kind of entertainment, like movies and plays. Maybe sitting and listening doesn't sound like your thing. Come to this weekend's concerts. You will find it a very engaging audio-visual experience!

“Finnish conductor Hannu Lintu is more than just an awesome name - he is a podium presence. A shape-shifter, a Gollum, a giant, he absorbs and projects the emotions of the music with every pore. He moves his arms, wrists and hands like a skeleton on a pole, or a marionette, or with the undulations of ocean waves. Don't miss this Finn's Minnesota debut - he won't disappoint! [See a 1/2-minute sample of Lintu's technique here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLfVmgflYrE ]

“And more eye [and ear] candy for concertgoers: In the very last minute of his 5th symphony, Prokofiev takes the orchestra from a full-bore tutti fortissimo - everyone playing as loud as possible - and drops it down to just a handful of string players and a piano. For about 10 seconds they carry all of the accumulated energy of the past 45 minutes before the rest of the orchestra rejoins in a final build to the last note. Watch those string players. Bow hairs will be flying - strings, possibly, as well - and you'll never think the same about playing an instrument!”

We hope to see you this weekend! Ticketing and more info here:http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/…/the-art-of-russia-the-s…

Posted on Facebook 11/12/14

Sandwiched between the Russians this weekend is some MOZART greatness – his Piano Concerto No. 20, performed by the amazing Jonathan Biss.

Our friend, blogger Scott Chamberlain, is pretty passionate about Mozart and this concerto. Of the performance played during the credits of “Amadeus” Scott writes, “As the scene faded to black, and I was still contemplating the tragedy of what had happened, this gentle piano music began. It perfectly—perfectly—captured the pathos of the scene, as if Mozart had been commissioned to write the music to order. There was no overt teeth-gnashing, no maudlin sobbing, just a melody that somehow managed to express… everything. And I turned into a ball of emotional goo.”

Learn more about what Scott and other composers think about this concerto and Mozart’s music (and why it turns them to goo!) here:http://maskoftheflowerprince.wordpress.com/…/how-i-fell-in…/

And join us in welcoming back, Jonathan Biss! He’s been absent from the Orchestra Hall stage for almost 15 years – way too long – and it will be very exciting to hear him again! Jonathan has been busy performing all over the world, teaching, recording, and writing books, essays, articles and blogs. Check out his website to learn more:http://www.jonathanbiss.com/

There’s still a seat for you at one of this weekend’s concerts! Grab yours here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/…/the-art-of-russia-the-s…

[We have just started posting these perspectives on upcoming concerts to our website (as well as to this Facebook page). We hope that you will find it a convenient location for getting info and sharing it with your friends, especially those who aren’t on Facebook! This program’s page is here:http://www.saveoursymphonymn.org/novembe…/nov-131415-concert ]

Posted on Facebook 11/10/14

We all know that the cellos can give us lush, beautiful romanticism – but fire and hammering and the sound of clanging machines? 

Yup, according to our MN Orchestra cellists Beth Rapier and Tony Ross, they can! Beth & Tony say of this weekend’s Prokofiev Symphony No. 5: “Listen for romanticism and fire throughout with machines taking over in the last movement signifying the coming of the industrial age in Russia. On the last page in the strings, we are asked to play incredibly short notes with a hammered stroke that sounds like factory machines working away.”

The Prokofiev concludes a program opening with Polina Nazaykinskaya’s “Winter Bells” (see our post from Sunday for details) and the wonderful pianist Jonathan Biss on Mozart’s Concerto No. 20 (more about him and that concerto tomorrow), all directed by Finnish conductor Hannu Lintu, making his debut with our MN Orchestra this weekend. 

View signature pieces of art from The Museum of Russian Art’s permanent collection in the Grand Foyer. Zarathirstra, the Minnesota Orchestra's signature beer from Boom Island Brewing Company, will be on tap, and The Moscow Mule, a special mixed drink, will be available at all bars. Enjoy Smoked Salmon Nosh and Muffaletta sandwich from Three Sons Catering.

Tickets are available here:http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/351/-/the-art-of-russia-the-slavic-soul#.VFUs9vnF93k

We hope to see you this weekend!


Posted on Facebook 11/9/14

A bleak winter, a traveler fighting his way through a deadly blizzard, tolling bells. No, we’re not talking about this week’s forecast!


We’re talking about the extraordinary musical imagery behind Polina Nazaykinskaya’s “Winter Bells,” which opens this coming weekend’s concerts. Ms. Nazaykinskaya, who received her Master’s degree in composition from the Yale School of Music, was one of the stars of MOA’s 2010 Composer Institute, when our Orchestra premiered this piece inspired by the mountains, valleys, villages, sacred places and folk melodies of the Volga River region where she was born. 

MOA posted an interview with Ms. Nazaykinskaya on their Facebook page. Read it here:https://www.facebook.com/minnesotaorchestra/photos/a.489872228044.263644.54292558044/10152413953018045/?

Watch a performance of “Winter Bells” by the Russian National Orchestra here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Mo2Y4bz-M

And get your tickets here:http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/351/-/the-art-of-russia-the-slavic-soul#.VFUs9vnF93k
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