Søndergård, Keefe and Brahms
Thu Apr 11 — Sat Apr 13, 2024
Orchestra Hall
Robert Schumann composed his Spring Symphony during the wintertime, dreaming of warmer days to come and the signs of life that would soon abound in nature. This sounds like the kind of activity many of us in Minnesota would understand! Thomas Søndergård conducts this bright, joyful symphony and collaborates with Concertmaster Erin Keefe for a performance of Max Bruch’s elegant First Violin Concerto. The Minnesota Chorale will lend their voices to two works on this program, performing Johannes Brahms’ Schicksalslied and delivering the U.S. premiere of Eleanor Alberga’s Rise Up, O Sun!
A Few Things to Know
- In addition to her extraordinary performance career, Concertmaster Erin Keefe loves to cook, bake, and host parties for friends.
- Eleanor Alberga asked her mother if she could begin piano lessons when she was five years old; at age 10, she penned her first composition, Andy, inspired by her family’s dog.
- Thomas Søndergård names Robert Schumann on his list of favorite composers. This will be the first time he conducts Schumann’s music with the Minnesota Orchestra.
- For the Saturday 2pm concert, join Music Director Thomas Søndergård for a post-concert conversation.
Program
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ALBERGA
Rise Up, O Sun!
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BRUCH
Violin Concerto No. 1
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BRAHMS
Schicksalslied
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SCHUMANN
Symphony No. 1, Spring
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Thomas Søndergård
conductor
Erin Keefe
violin
Minnesota Chorale
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. This fall, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård begins his tenure as music director.
Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård, the newly announced 11th music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, will serve for the 2022-23 season as the ensemble’s music director designate before beginning his music director role in September 2023. He is the current music director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), following six seasons as principal guest conductor. Between 2012 and 2018, he served as principal conductor of BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW), after stepping down as principal conductor and musical advisor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
American violinist Erin Keefe, who became concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra in September 2011, has established a reputation as an artist who combines exhilarating temperament and fierce integrity. At Sommerfest 2012 she made her concerto solo debut with the Orchestra, performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. She has since been featured as soloist in two concertos by Mendelssohn—the Violin Concerto and, in May 2022, the Double Concerto for Violin, Piano and Orchestra—as well as the violin concertos of Brahms and Kurt Weill, and Dvořák’s Romance for Violin and Orchestra. In February 2023, she performed Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade, after Plato's "Symposium," for Solo Violin, Strings, Harp and Percussion. Keefe joined the violin faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music in 2022.
Winner of an Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Pro Musicis International Award as well as numerous international competitions, she has appeared as soloist in recent seasons with the Minnesota Orchestra, New Mexico Symphony, New York City Ballet Orchestra, Korean Symphony Orchestra, Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, Turku Philharmonic, Sendai Philharmonic and the Gottingen Symphony and has given recitals throughout the United States, Austria, Italy, Germany, Korea, Poland, Finland, Japan and Denmark.
The Minnesota Chorale has served as the Minnesota Orchestra’s principal chorus since 2004 and is now in its 29th season under the leadership of Kathy Saltzman Romey. Founded in 1972, the Chorale is Minnesota’s preeminent symphonic chorus, with a roster of over 200 singers. Best known for its work with the two major orchestras of the Twin Cities, the ensemble is equally dedicated to programs that build and enrich community. A seasoned artistic partner, the Chorale continues to explore new artistic directions and collaborative opportunities, while earning the highest critical acclaim for its work on the concert stage. In 2018, members of the Chorale traveled to South Africa to perform alongside the Minnesota Orchestra in its historic concerts in Soweto and Johannesburg.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
Post-Concert Interview
When: Sat Apr 13 | Immediately following the concert
Where: On Stage
Minnesota Public Radio's melissa Ousley interviews music director Thomas Søndergård on stage immediately following the concert. Ousley has been the host of Minnesota Orchestra's live broadcasts since 2019.
Know Before You Go
An engaging performance awaits, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Make this visit your own with food and activity options. Browse these helpful tips, and when your concert date arrives, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Directions & Parking
All the information you need to know for getting to and from Orchestra Hall. Parking is just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.
Pre-order beverages
Skip the lines at the bar! Pre-order your intermission beverage via the Minnesota Orchestra App when you arrive at Orchestra Hall.
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
SPONSORED BY
The 2023-2024 Classical Season is presented by Ameriprise Financial.
