Garrick Ohlsson Plays Beethoven
Fri Apr 28 — Sat Apr 29, 2023
Orchestra Hall
A solemn memorial, a symphony of blazing brass and an unpredictable piano concerto come together under the baton of Juanjo Mena, who makes a return to Orchestra Hall for a special treat: Bruckner’s sonorous Sixth Symphony. First, Philip Herbert’s Elegy pays tribute to the late Stephen Lawrence, who at 18 years old was killed in an act of racial violence. Then, world-renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson plays Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto, an animated showpiece for piano filled with musical humor.
A Few Things To Know
- Juanjo Mena “showed himself as quite the podium dancer in a series of impromptu pirouettes and jump-like maneuvers,” read a Star Tribune review after Minnesota Orchestra concerts in 2019. “There wasn't a line of music that he didn't energize.”
- Juanjo Mena conducted the Orchestra’s historic radio broadcast-only concert (with no audience in the Hall) on March 13, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic first made waves across the U.S.
- Garrick Ohlsson first performed with the Minnesota Orchestra in 1971, before the construction of Orchestra Hall. His first gig with the Orchestra involved a U.S. tour led by then-conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski.
Program
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HERBERT
Elegy: In Memoriam—Stephen Lawrence
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Elegy memorializes Stephen Lawrence, a Black British teenager murdered in April 1993 by a gang of young white men. The music is full of soulful harmonies with gentle dissonances in sonorous chords, under a plaintive melody, which characterize the heavy emotions brought to mind by this tragedy.
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BEETHOVEN
Piano Concerto No. 1
1 min noteOne Minute Note
In his First Piano Concerto, Beethoven’s intent was simply to please his audience with enjoyable music and to promote the orchestra to a more equal status with the soloist. The piece is full of heroism, grandeur and a touch of humor; listen in the Largo for the clarinet’s important role.
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BRUCKNER
Symphony No. 6
1 min noteOne Minute Note
One of Bruckner’s less-heard symphonies—the Minnesota Orchestra has programmed it just three times before this week—the Sixth Symphony has a tone which is unmistakably Brucknerian, from blazing brass and strings to sonorous woodwind solos, with an ostinato rhythm that unites the work’s beginning and end.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
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 begins his second season as music director.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
MacPhail Northside Youth Orchestra Performance
When: Fri Apr 28 | 7:15pm
Where: Target Atrium
The MacPhail Northside Youth Orchestra is a tuition-free symphonic orchestra program directed by Chi-Chi Bestmann. Seventh to 12th-grade students from schools all over the metro area rehearse Saturdays at Ascension Catholic School in North Minneapolis. The group performs a variety of pieces and genres and participates in an annual summer retreat at Madeline Island Chamber Music.
MacPhail and Ascension Catholic School
When: Sat Apr 29 | 7:15pm
The MacPhail After School Strings at Ascension Catholic School program represents a strong partnership between the two organizations since 1989. After School Strings meet three days a week for sectionals, rehearsals, and musicianship classes and they perform at Ascension, MacPhail downtown, and annually at Orchestra Hall.
Know Before You Go
An engaging performance awaits, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Make this visit your own with food and activity options. Browse these helpful tips, and when your concert date arrives, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Directions & Parking
All the information you need to know for getting to and from Orchestra Hall. Parking is just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.
Pre-order beverages
Skip the lines at the bar! Pre-order your intermission beverage via the MN Orch App when you arrive at Orchestra Hall.
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
With this concert we honor the memory of Dale Hammerschmidt
Sponsored by
