Gabel and Hadelich
Thu Mar 10 — Fri Mar 11, 2022
Orchestra Hall
Two phenomenal artists return to the Orchestra Hall stage when conductor Fabien Gabel and violinist Augustin Hadelich come together for performances of Tchaikovsky’s romantic and virtuosic Violin Concerto. Opening the concert is Samy Moussa’s Crimson, a captivating 2015 work the LA Times described as “strikingly original.” After intermission, the Orchestra will take you on a journey through Richard Strauss’ sentimental and sometimes silly Suite from Der Rosenkavalier and the swirling scenes of a crowd dancing the night away will end the evening in Ravel’s La Valse.
A Few Things to Know
- Canadian-born conductor and composer Samy Moussa tested out 62 different openings to Crimson before deciding on the one that he felt was the best fit for the piece.
- When performances were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Augustin Hadelich shared nearly 50 miniature music lessons in a YouTube series he called “Ask Augustin.”
Program
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MOUSSA
Crimson
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Contemporary composer Samy Moussa’s Crimson begins and ends in very different places—opening with a crashing cymbal and bright, high chords without strings, and closing with low rumblings and strings playing at the bottom of their ranges. In between are a calm passage starring celesta and a faster section with exciting rhythms.
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TCHAIKOVSKY
Violin Concerto
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s dazzling Violin Concerto, once called “unplayable,” is now the vehicle of great virtuosos. It is noted equally for bravura passagework and the pure romantic realism for which the composer is known, with soulful melodies yielding to folk-like dance tunes and rhythms in the exhilarating Finale.
- INTERMISSION
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R. STRAUSS
Suite from Der Rosenkavalier
1 min noteOne Minute Note
This popular suite from Richard Strauss’ opera abounds with exquisite textures, beautifully balancing the story’s romance, rowdy farce and sentimentality. Highlights include a youthful lovers’ song and a courtly Viennese waltz.
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RAVEL
La Valse
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Maurice Ravel’s homage to the Viennese waltz depicts both intimacy and opulence, twirling toward a frenzied conclusion.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Fabien Gabel
conductor
Augustin Hadelich
violin
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. In September 2024, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his second season as music director.
Fabien Gabel is music director designate of the Tonkünstler-Orchester, a position which begins with the 2025-26 season. He has established an international career of the highest caliber. Praised for his dynamic style and sensitive approach to the score, he is best known for his eclectic choice of repertoire, ranging from core symphonic works to new music to championing lesser-known composers of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Augustin Hadelich is one of the great violinists of our time. From Bach to Brahms, from Bartók to Adès, he has mastered a wide-ranging and adventurous repertoire. Often referred to by colleagues as a musician's musician, he is consistently cited worldwide for his phenomenal technique, soulful approach, and insightful interpretations.
Mr. Hadelich’s 2020/21 season culminated in performances of the Brahms Violin Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. These were the first performances played by the full ensemble to a live audience in Davies Hall in 15 months. Mr. Hadelich’s 2021/22 season started off with a three-concert stunning debut with the Berlin Philharmonic (Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2). Shortly thereafter, came the European premiere of a new violin concerto written for him by Irish composer, Donnacha Dennehy. He will play the rescheduled world premiere with the Oregon Symphony in October of 2022. Other highlights of the 2021-22 season include being named Artist-in-Residence with the Frankfurter Museumsorchester, the continuation of his residency as Associate Artist with the NDR Elbphilharmonie/Hamburg, and debuts with L’Orchestre National de France, the Prague Radio Symphony, and the Warsaw Philharmonic.
Your Concert Experience
Join us for Q&A’s, hosted discussions, exhibits and more. All free with your concert ticket!
Trivia with Know Factory
When: Thu Mar 10 | 10:15am-10:45am
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer
Join Brian Ward from Know Factory to play live trivia related to this concert and more!
Trivia with Know Factory
When: Fri Mar 11 | 7:15pm-7:45pm
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer
Join Brian Ward from Know Factory to play live trivia related to this concert and more!
Pre-Concert Performance
by YPSCA Concerto Competition Finalists
When: Fri Mar 11 | 7:05pm-7:25pm
Where: Auditorium
Young People's Symphony Concert Association (YPSCA) Concerto Competition finalists Ingrid Tverberg (cello), and Jacob Taggart (piano) will give a pre-concert performance on stage.
Pre- and Post-Concert Activities Sponsored By
Accessibility Services
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large Print Programs
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
Sponsored By
With these concerts we honor the memory of Bob Boldt in appreciation of his generous estate gift to the Minnesota Orchestra.
