Vänskä Conducts the Reformation Symphony
About This Concert:
Martin Luther’s hammer rang out 500 years ago as he pounded his declaration of faith to the Wittenberg church door, and we mark the anniversary of this occasion with music inspired by Luther’s revolution.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Osmo Vänskä, conductor
- Adam Kuenzel, flute
- Minnesota Chorale
MENDELSSOHN
Symphony No. 5, Reformation
CURRIER
RE-FORMATION [World Premiere]
Fun Facts:
- Theologian Martin Luther lit the spark of the Reformation, but he was also a passionate music-lover who wrote dozens of hymns. He said: “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”
- Ein feste Burg (A Mighty Fortress) is the best-known hymn by Luther, who also liked a good drinking song and asked, “why should the devil get all the best tunes?” You’ll hear this hymn late in the symphony, performed by a flute solo.
- Luther and Johann Sebastian Bach went to the same school and sang in the same church choir—though Bach a century after Luther.
- Sebastian Currier’s Re-formation reimagines the Reformation for today, with quotes from Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 and Luther’s sturdy old hymn forming a cry to save the planet.
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Vänskä Conducts the Reformation Symphony
Celebrating 500 Years of Reformation through Music
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Osmo Vänskä, conductor | Photo © Stephanie Berger
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About This Concert:
Martin Luther’s hammer rang out 500 years ago as he pounded his declaration of faith to the Wittenberg church door, and we mark the anniversary of this occasion with music inspired by Luther’s revolution.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Osmo Vänskä, conductor
- Adam Kuenzel, flute
- Minnesota Chorale
MENDELSSOHN
Symphony No. 5, Reformation
CURRIER
RE-FORMATION [World Premiere]
Fun Facts:
- Theologian Martin Luther lit the spark of the Reformation, but he was also a passionate music-lover who wrote dozens of hymns. He said: “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”
- Ein feste Burg (A Mighty Fortress) is the best-known hymn by Luther, who also liked a good drinking song and asked, “why should the devil get all the best tunes?” You’ll hear this hymn late in the symphony, performed by a flute solo.
- Luther and Johann Sebastian Bach went to the same school and sang in the same church choir—though Bach a century after Luther.
- Sebastian Currier’s Re-formation reimagines the Reformation for today, with quotes from Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 and Luther’s sturdy old hymn forming a cry to save the planet.
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OH+ Concert activities on Thursday November 2 / see all upcoming OH+ events
Coffee Concert
When: Pre-concert Where: All lobby bars Enjoy complimentary coffee and donuts featuring A Baker's Wife Pastry Shop!
Concert Preview
When: 10:15-10:35am Where: Auditorium Join host Phillip Gainsley, composer Sebastian Currier and Minnesota Chorale Artistic Director Kathy Saltzman Romey for an informative and entertaining look at the concert repertoire and themes. This 30-minute concert preview is free; however, a concert ticket is required for entry.
Crisantemi Quartet
When: 10:15-10:35am Where: Target Atrium The young Cuban musicians taking part in the inaugural Cuban American Youth Orchestra Fall Academy are the four founding members of the Crisantemi Quartet, three of whom collaborated with the Minnesota Orchestra in Havana in 2015. The Quartet will be celebrated in an Atrium performance at Orchestra Hall, playing Cuban music.