Posted on Facebook 11/6
“…it was as if we could actually see the beautiful maiden, Pohjola’s daughter, sitting on a rainbow, spinning gold, her laughter described in descending passages of chuckling woodwinds” writes Michael Anthony in his review of yesterday’s performance by the MN Orchestra under Osmo Vänska. And re. the Sibelius’ “Six Humoresques” he writes “It’s odd that they aren’t in every top violinist’s repertoire. Kraggerud, whose technique is effortless, easily captured the music’s spry wit.”
Rob Hubbard writes “The textures [Sibelius] brings to his writing for strings, the creative combinations of woodwinds, the sonorous solos, the aural Arctic landscapes ... All could be found over the course of this program. Throw on some fantastic fiddling by Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud on the composer's set of Six Humoresques, and this proved a fine forum for what's so wonderful about Sibelius.”
Read Michael Anthony’s full review for the StarTribune here: http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-orchestra-performs-beautifully-in-a-series-of-sibelius-smaller-works-in-minneapolis/341302191/
And read Rob Hubbard’s full review for the Pioneer Press here: http://www.twincities.com/music/ci_29078234/review-minnesota-orchestra-satisfies-sibelius-program
Some tickets remain for the final performance of this program tonight – get yours here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/484/-/vaenskae-conducts-sibelius#.VjIMIberTIU
“…it was as if we could actually see the beautiful maiden, Pohjola’s daughter, sitting on a rainbow, spinning gold, her laughter described in descending passages of chuckling woodwinds” writes Michael Anthony in his review of yesterday’s performance by the MN Orchestra under Osmo Vänska. And re. the Sibelius’ “Six Humoresques” he writes “It’s odd that they aren’t in every top violinist’s repertoire. Kraggerud, whose technique is effortless, easily captured the music’s spry wit.”
Rob Hubbard writes “The textures [Sibelius] brings to his writing for strings, the creative combinations of woodwinds, the sonorous solos, the aural Arctic landscapes ... All could be found over the course of this program. Throw on some fantastic fiddling by Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud on the composer's set of Six Humoresques, and this proved a fine forum for what's so wonderful about Sibelius.”
Read Michael Anthony’s full review for the StarTribune here: http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-orchestra-performs-beautifully-in-a-series-of-sibelius-smaller-works-in-minneapolis/341302191/
And read Rob Hubbard’s full review for the Pioneer Press here: http://www.twincities.com/music/ci_29078234/review-minnesota-orchestra-satisfies-sibelius-program
Some tickets remain for the final performance of this program tonight – get yours here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/484/-/vaenskae-conducts-sibelius#.VjIMIberTIU
Posted on Facebook 10/29
It’s the Sibelius sesquicentennial! And who better to lead the celebration than our fabulous MN Orchestra under the direction of our own Osmo Vänskä? Nobody better!
“Sibelius’ ‘Six Humoresques for Violin and Orchestra’ are quite likely the most magical work you’ve never heard,” writes our friend Scott Chamberlain in the wonderful introduction he posted yesterday. Scott continues, “Nearly everyone who has ever heard them falls completely under their spell; alas, these miniature masterpieces have been unjustly neglected in both the concert hall and the recording studio. This is unfortunate, as they are not just fantastic in and of themselves, but they reveal an entirely different side of Sibelius’s genius.” Click here to read more of Scott’s insights about Sibelius’ love for the violin and about these pieces: https://maskoftheflowerprince.wordpress.com/2015/10/28/150-sibelius-jubilee-the-six-humoresques/
Then head down to Orchestra Hall next Thursday morning or Friday night, Nov. 5&6, when violinist Henning Kraggerud and the Orchestra perform the “Six Humoresques.” Also on the program are Suite from “Karelia,” “Pohjola's Daughter,” “The Oceanides” and “Tapiola.” More info and tickets here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/484/-/vaenskae-conducts-sibelius#.VjIMIberTIU
Don’t let these Humoresques be the most magical work you’ve NEVER heard! We hope to see you at Orchestra Hall next weekend. (And thanks, Scott!)
It’s the Sibelius sesquicentennial! And who better to lead the celebration than our fabulous MN Orchestra under the direction of our own Osmo Vänskä? Nobody better!
“Sibelius’ ‘Six Humoresques for Violin and Orchestra’ are quite likely the most magical work you’ve never heard,” writes our friend Scott Chamberlain in the wonderful introduction he posted yesterday. Scott continues, “Nearly everyone who has ever heard them falls completely under their spell; alas, these miniature masterpieces have been unjustly neglected in both the concert hall and the recording studio. This is unfortunate, as they are not just fantastic in and of themselves, but they reveal an entirely different side of Sibelius’s genius.” Click here to read more of Scott’s insights about Sibelius’ love for the violin and about these pieces: https://maskoftheflowerprince.wordpress.com/2015/10/28/150-sibelius-jubilee-the-six-humoresques/
Then head down to Orchestra Hall next Thursday morning or Friday night, Nov. 5&6, when violinist Henning Kraggerud and the Orchestra perform the “Six Humoresques.” Also on the program are Suite from “Karelia,” “Pohjola's Daughter,” “The Oceanides” and “Tapiola.” More info and tickets here: http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/buy/tickets/browse-calendar/eventdetail/484/-/vaenskae-conducts-sibelius#.VjIMIberTIU
Don’t let these Humoresques be the most magical work you’ve NEVER heard! We hope to see you at Orchestra Hall next weekend. (And thanks, Scott!)