The Minnesota Orchestra always manages to impress me. Perhaps for those who come from larger cities with bigger artistic communities, the orchestra may be nothing special. Coming from the state of Nebraska, however, I have been duly impressed by the quality (and quantity) of concerts offered by the Minnesota Orchestra.
The first time that I had the chance to attend a concert, during my second year at Macalester, I was overwhelmed by both the modern structure of the Orchestra Hall and the size of the orchestra itself. To say the least, this was much different than the orchestra with which I hadgrown up in Omaha. Ever since my first visit, I’ve taken any opportunity to get back. Given the deals that the Orchestra offers for college students, this often is not difficult.
Last weekend, I had the chance to attend another concert at the Orchestra Hall. Stanislaw Skrowaczewski conducted the orchestra in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 8. As usual, the concert was quite impressive.
Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder offered an impressive piano solo in a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto. The piece was easy listening and fairly relaxing.
Shostakovich’s symphony, composed at the height of World War II in 1943, was the exact opposite. This intense piece was far from relaxing, but very emotional and amazing all the same. Each movement was very different, seemingly representing the changing hardships and tragedy that affected Shostakovich and Europe as he composed the piece.
For those who have not yet had the opportunity to experience the Minnesota Orchestra (or for those who would like to experience it yet again), many opportunities are left this semester.
The Orchestra offers special deals for college students, including a student saver card, which gives four concerts for $25 (in the Classical and Casual Classics series). These can be used individually or shared among friends. Tickets with the card may be reserved up to one hour before a concert starts the day of a performance only. A valid college student ID must be shown for each ticket reserved. Also, the theater offers student rush tickets that are available for between $5 and $10.
Sarah Peterson is a senior. She can be reached at sepeterson@macalester.edu.
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Event Times and Locations
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Oct. 8-9: Dvorak’s Cello Concerto
Edo de Waart conducts the Minnesota Orchestra as it highlights Anthony Ross on the cello in Antonin Dvoraks’s Cello Concerto—one of the most renowned concertos for the instrument. Also on the program are Johannes Brahm’s “Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a” and Dutch composer Rudolf Escher’s “Musique pour l’Esprit en Deuil” (“Music for the Spirit in Mourning”). Fri., Oct. 8 and Sat., Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.
Oct. 14-16: Eaglen Sings Wagner. Wagner specialist and former Minnesota Orchestra director Edo de Waart conducts an evening of Wagner with dramatic soprano Jane Eaglen. Considered by many to be one of the great Wagnerian sopranos of her generation, Eaglan has appeared on opera and concert stages throughout Europe and North America. The concert includes the Overture to The Flying Dutchman, the Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde, “Du Bist der Lenz” from Die Walk¸re and “Brunnhilde’s Immolation” from Gotterd‰mmerung. Thurs., Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m, Fri., Oct. 15 and Sat., Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.
Oct. 20-21: Mozart and A Night at the Opera. David Alan Miller conducts and hosts an evening of Mozart classics with soprano Jennifer Baldwin Peden, mezzo Christina Baldwin, tenor Norman Reinhardt and baritone Andrew Wilkowske. Wed. Oct. 20 and Thurs. Oct 21 at 7 p.m.
Nov. 4-5: Mozart C minor Mass. Helmuth Rilling conducts Mozart’s Mass in C minor, K. 417a [427], The Great and Johann S. Bach’s Magnificat. Soprano Marlis Petersen, mezzo Iris Vermillion, alto Fredrika Brillembourg, tenor Thomas Colley and bass Sanford Sylvan are featured. Thurs., Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Fri., Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.
Nov. 11-13: Mahler’s Seventh. Mark Wigglesworth conducts Bela Bartok’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 7. Thurs., Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m., Fri., Nov. 12 and Sat., Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.
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