Inside the Classics concerts explore John Adams' My Father Knew Charles Ives

Conductor Sarah Hicks and Orchestra violist Sam Bergman lead lively tour of American composer John Adams’ stirring 2003 work My Father Knew Charles Ives, Jan. 27 and 28

(January 6, 2011) The Minnesota Orchestra continues the fifth season of its innovative Inside the Classics series with a program centered on Pulitzer Prize-winner John Adams’ 2003 work My Father Knew Charles Ives, a semi-autobiographical work patterned after Ives’ seminal work Three Places in New England.  In the program’s first half, conductor Sarah Hicks and host Sam Bergman lead audiences through an entertaining exploration of the music, examining a range of topics including the evolution of the compositional style known as minimalism and Adams’ emergence as one of the most influential composers of his generation.  The program will conclude with a complete performance of My Father Knew Charles Ives, led by Hicks, the Orchestra’s principal conductor of pops and presentations. 

The concerts, held at Orchestra Hall, will take place on Friday, January 27, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, January 28, at 8 p.m., with tickets priced at $20 to $40.  To purchase tickets, call (612) 371-5656 or visit minnesotaorchestra.org.

Inside the Classics series offers unique format, complemented by online blog
Each Inside the Classics concert begins with a look at the featured composer and the inspiration behind the music, as Hicks and Bergman offer lively discussion, insights and humor.  The series’ flexible format also allows Hicks and Bergman to spotlight the colorful personalities of the Orchestra’s musicians, as well as occasional special guests.  After intermission, Hicks leads the Orchestra in a full performance of the featured work.

In addition to their onstage roles, Hicks and Bergman write the Inside the Classics blog, accessible at insidetheclassics.org.  The site features regularly updated posts, video previews of the concert experience, audience interviews and details about the Musical MicroCommission—an audience-supported grassroots initiative to commission a new work for premiere this season from New York-based composer Judd Greenstein, who also contributes periodically to the blog.

The Wallace Foundation Excellence Award makes new initiatives possible
In November 2008 the Orchestra received a $750,000 Excellence Award from The Wallace Foundation to support the Inside the Classics series over four years.  Wallace Foundation funding allows the Orchestra to expand the interactive nature of the series and to experiment with ways to increase audience participation and engagement.  The funding also supports the growth of Crescendo Project, the Orchestra’s young patrons group.

The Wallace Foundation Excellence Awards were created to support exemplary arts organizations to pioneer effective practices to engage more people in high-value arts activities.

Upcoming Inside the Classics concerts
The Inside the Classics season concludes in March 2012 with the world premiere of Judd Greenstein’s new work Acadia—which was funded by more than 400 donations from music lovers from throughout the U.S.  Full information on the season is available at insidetheclassics.org.

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Inside the Classics
ADAMS: MY FATHER KNEW CHARLES IVES
Minimalism with a Soul

Friday, January 27, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall

Minnesota Orchestra
Sarah Hicks, conductor
Sam Bergman, host

ADAMS                 My Father Knew Charles Ives

Tickets: $20-$40

Music Up Close: Post-concert chamber music performance—At the End of a Really Great Day, by Judd Greenstein - Jan. 27 & 28, post-concert

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Individual tickets are available for purchase through Minnesota Orchestra Ticket Services at 11th and Marquette in Minneapolis, online at minnesotaorchestra.org or by calling (612) 371-5656 or (800) 292-4141. For groups of 10 or more, call (612) 371-5662 or (800) 292-4141, ext. 662. Prices listed do not include a $5.75 service charge per transaction for all phone or mail orders. Save $1 by purchasing tickets online or by having the Orchestra e-mail your tickets. There are no service charges for subscribers, group purchasers or in-person transactions at the Orchestra Hall Box Office. A non-discountable $3.50 facility fee is included in the price of each individual ticket. No refunds. Some fees and restrictions may apply to ticket exchanges. All sales are final. All programs, artists, dates, times and prices subject to change.

The 2011-12 Inside the Classics season is part of The Wallace Foundation Excellence Award initiative.

Delta Air Lines is the official airline of the Minnesota Orchestra’s 2011-12 season.

The Star Tribune and 830 WCCO-AM are the Minnesota Orchestra’s media partners for the 2011-12 season.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the State’s general fund and its arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

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PRESS CONTACTS:

Gwen Pappas, Director of Public Relations
(612) 371-5628 • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sandi Brown, Public Relations Coordinator
(612) 371-5641 • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.