Orchestra Spotlight
Thu Nov 9 — Fri Nov 10, 2023
Orchestra Hall
This unique conductorless program will showcase many sections and individual players in the Orchestra performing works by Fauré, Ravel, Bizet, and more. You'll instantly recognize several familiar and glorious melodies in Carmen Suite for Percussion and Strings, an arrangement of Bizet’s beloved opera. This virtuosic arrangement—a popular hit in the 1960s—will amuse, delight, and entertain with its dramatic reorchestration and menagerie of percussion instruments. Also on the program, a few late 19th century French gems: Ravel’s Pavane for a Dead Princess and Faure’s Sicilienne from Pelléas and Mélisande.
A Few Things to Know
- Despite its unusual title, Pavane for a dead princess, Ravel made it clear to his audiences that the piece was not a funeral lament but rather a traditional dance that might have been performed by a little girl from the paintings of 17th-century Spanish artist Diego Velázquez.
- It is unusual for the Minnesota Orchestra to perform without a conductor, due to its large size as a full symphony orchestra. When an orchestra plays without conductor, generally the concertmaster (or first chair violin) becomes the leader of the group, giving cues to the ensemble through subtle movements, eye contact and breath, though everyone plays a role in keeping the ensemble together.
- New York City-based composer Anthony Barfield’s Invictus, a piece for 12-member brass ensemble, highlights the hope, resilience and community of the people of New York during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent protests for racial justice.
Program
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R. STRAUSS
Feierlicher Einzug
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BARFIELD
Invictus
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BARTÓK
Divertimento for String Orchestra
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RAVEL
Pavane for a Dead Princess
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FAURÉ
Sicilienne from Pelléas and Mélisande
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FAURÉ
Pavane
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BIZET/Shchedrin
Carmen Suite for Percussion and Strings
Artists
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.
On why this concert is her pick
An orchestra is essentially a large chamber music ensemble, and working together in this way further hones our ears and ensemble skills, demanding that we rely even more on one another...”
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.