Our 2023-24 season in photos—and video, too!
Grand symphonies, innovative initiatives, compelling collaborations and—oh right—a new face at the podium. Our 2023-24 season was the first under Music Director Thomas Søndergård and signaled the Danish conductor’s talent in collaboration and ability to draw out the best in our ensemble.
Revisit a few of our season highlights below—which also give a glimpse of the bright future to come!
A new season starts with Strauss
Foregoing any pleasantries, Søndergård and the Orchestra opened and closed the season’s inaugural concerts with Richard Strauss’ tone poems Don Juan and An Alpine Symphony. Said Star Tribune critic Rob Hubbard of the latter work, “Rather than ramp things up gradually from a soft opening, Søndergård chose to go gangbusters with one of the most massive of orchestral epics.”
Painting the town red—and white
That same weekend, Minneapolis gave Søndergård a unique welcome, turning many of its landmark buildings and structures—including the Lowry Avenue Bridge—red and white to match the flag of Denmark.
The beginning of something special
In the Orchestra’s second week of season-opening concerts, the Minnesota Chorale teamed up with Søndergård for the first time in a presentation of Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe. The landmark appearance marked another important milestone, celebrating the Chorale’s 50th year of collaboration with the Orchestra.
Beyond the stage
We're world-class, and that doesn't mean stuffy. On social, we brought you beyond the stage—drama, debates, hot takes! If you missed our viral moments, there's plenty to discover: French conductor Fabien Gabel's backstage pep; our viola section as JCPenney celebs, a triumphant return of Osmo—and that's just the start.
For all generations
When Søndergård was introduced as the 11th music director in the Minnesota Orchestra’s history, he promised to be a director “for all generations.” He made good on that promise in January, leading an hour-long program for the Orchestra’s youngest concertgoers. Afterward, he taught his craft to a group of pipe cleaner baton-waving children.
The future of classical
Two of classical music’s rising stars—conductor Ruth Reinhardt and saxophonist Steven Banks—teamed up to offer the Orchestra Hall premiere of Billy Childs’ 2022 saxophone concerto Diaspora, which the Orchestra co-commissioned.
How many trumpets?
Staying on the topic of exceptional brass soloists, Pacho Flores performed two works in his Minnesota Orchestra debut, including Arturo Márquez's contemporary Concierto de Otoño, which calls for the soloist to seamlessly change between four different kinds of trumpets—and a surprise cadenza, too.
Getting Nur-D
In April, Matt Allen (a.k.a. Nur-D) proved why he’s one of the most exciting names in local hip-hop. After teaching our viola section some essential choreography, Nur-D brought all his friends along for a singular set of high-energy concerts.
Looking up to music educators
“There's not one person that meant more to me in my education than my music teacher,” says Søndergård. His admiration of music educators led to a first-of-its-kind initiative: side-by-side rehearsals and performances with 54 music educators from across Minnesota. (Learn more about the experience here.)
Welcoming back a violinist’s violinist
Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto is notoriously difficult to perform. Christian Tetzlaff almost made it look easy in his much-anticipated return to Orchestra Hall, proving why he remains one of the most sought-after violinists in today’s classical music scene.
Celebrating Pride
We capped off our season with concerts curated by Søndergård that honored the contributions of LGBTQ+ composers. Before the historic performances, violists Jude Park, Sam Bergman and Rebecca Albers sat down to discuss the program’s significance.
