Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances
Fri Feb 25 — Sat Feb 26, 2022
Orchestra Hall
After conductor Karina Canellakis’ recent performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Star Tribune raved about her “infectious enthusiasm” and “fiery energy.” Now, she returns to the podium to conduct music by Julia Perry and Sergei Rachmaninoff. At the center of the concerts, cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras makes his Minnesota Orchestra debut as soloist in Richard Strauss’ musical depiction of Don Quixote, in which the cello plays the leading role of Don Quixote de la Mancha and a solo violist from the ensemble is featured as his squire, Sancho Panza.
A Few Things to Know
- These concerts mark the Minnesota Orchestra’s first performances of music by 20th century American composer Julia Perry.
- Symphonic Dances would be Rachmaninoff’s last composition, and he seemed to know it as he wrote the piece, adding a note of gratitude for his musical life after the final measure in the score: “I thank thee, Lord!”
- Jean-Guihen Queyras was voted “Artist of the Year” by readers of the Diapason and “Best Instrumental Soloist” for the Victoires de la Musique Classique in 2008.
Program
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PERRY
Short Piece for Orchestra
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Perry’s humbly named Short Piece for Orchestra is symmetrical in form, beginning and ending with vigor. One inner episode is moderately paced and strongly melodic, and another is full of pensive melancholy and falling melodic lines.
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R. STRAUSS
Don Quixote
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Strauss captures the humor and humanity of Cervantes’ great novel in a magnificent work spotlighting solo cello. With Don Quixote portrayed by the cello and his long-suffering squire, Sancho Panza, primarily by the viola, the music depicts their escapades in a series of colorful variations. Among the most famous: the Don’s battles with windmills and an unsuspecting flock of sheep, and an encounter with his imagined, idealized lady love, Dulcinea.
- INTERMISSION
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RACHMANINOFF
Symphonic Dances
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Rachmaninoff’s final composition is full of rhythmic energy and colorful orchestration. The alto saxophone makes a rare orchestral appearance in this three-movement work, which closes with a breathtaking setting of the Dies Irae.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Karina Canellakis
conductor
Jean-Guihen Queyras
cello
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, led by Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård—who is serving as music director designate during the 2022-23 season—is recognized for distinguished performances around the world, award-winning recordings and broadcasts, educational engagement programs, and commitment to building the orchestral repertoire of the future. Founded in 1903, the Orchestra has an extensive history of touring throughout Minnesota, nationally and abroad, including high-profile visits in recent years to Cuba, Europe and South Africa. Recording projects undertaken in the past two decades include complete cycles of symphonies by Beethoven, Sibelius and Mahler, all recorded under Osmo Vänskä, who is now the Orchestra’s conductor laureate.
Internationally acclaimed for her emotionally charged performances, technical command and interpretive depth, Karina Canellakis has become one of the most in-demand conductors of her generation. She is the Chief Conductor of Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, the Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the Principal Guest Conductor of the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB).
The 2021-22 season includes concerts with some of the finest European and US orchestras, including her debuts with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the HR-Sinfonieorchester (Frankfurt Radio), and returns to the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Bavarian Radio), Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Orchestre de Paris. During the summer of 2021, she made debuts with the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood, the Cleveland Orchestra at the Blossom Festival, the Orchestre National de France at the St. Denis Festival, and performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Wiener Symphoniker as the culminating performance of “9 Beethoven Symphonies from 9 different European cities” live on ARTE.
Jean-Guihen Queyras often appears with renowned orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, London Symphony Orchestra, the Gewandhausorchester and the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, working with conductors such as Iván Fischer, Philippe Herreweghe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, François-Xavier Roth, Sir John Eliot Gardiner and Sir Roger Norrington.
Highlights in the 2021-22 season include invitations from the Orchestre de Paris, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Ensemble Resonanz as well as concerts with Alexandre Tharaud, Alexander Melnikov and Isabelle Faust, and concert tours to Japan, North and South America.
Your Concert Experience
Join us for Q&A’s, hosted discussions, exhibits and more. All free with your concert ticket!
Concert Preview
with Valerie Little
When: Fri Feb 26 - Sat Feb 27 | 7:05pm-7:25pm
Where: Auditorium
Join Assistant Principal Librarian Valerie Little for a discussion about this concert program and more.
Indulge at the Elixir Haus
When: Pre-Concert and Intermission
Where: Cargill Commons
Beverage service is available before and during each winter concert at Elixir Haus (located outside Orchestra Hall). Grab your coat and head outside for a sip of spirits or a cup of hot cocoa.
Pre- and Post-Concert Activities Sponsored By
Video: Roderick Cox conducts the Minnesota Orchestra in Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances
Accessibility Services
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large Print Programs
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
Sponsored By
With this concert we gratefully recognize Dr. Mary and Jim Lawrence/Lawrence Family Foundation for their generous contribution to the Minnesota Orchestra.
