Thomas Søndergård I © Greg Helgeson

A New Year’s Celebration with Søndergård, Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky

Sun Dec 31, 2023 — Mon Jan 1, 2024

Orchestra Hall

~2 hours, including intermission

Step, dance, soar into 2024 with Thomas Søndergård and the Minnesota Orchestra along with the brilliant pianist Sir Stephen Hough as our featured guest. Experience the intimacy of a snowy evening through Sergei Prokofiev’s Winter Bonfire, the fireworks of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s famous Paganini Rhapsody and the joy of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Be part of this sparkling event to welcome the New Year.

Save up to 15% when you create your own ticket package of three or more concerts.

A Few Things to Know

Music Director Thomas Søndergård has created this Suite from The Nutcracker based on some of his own favorite moments from Tchaikovsky’s original ballet.
First performing with the Orchestra in 1996, Stephen Hough is one of the Minnesota Orchestra’s most frequent collaborators, having recorded and toured with the ensemble many times, including a memorable Carnegie Hall performance in 2011.
After the December 31 concert, help us count down to midnight! Enjoy vintage jazz from Belle Amour and a complimentary Champagne toast.

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Date & Time

Program

PROKOFIEV

Selections from Winter Bonfire
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One Minute Note

Sergei Prokofiev’s Winter Bonfire is a charming symphonic suite for children in the vein of the composer’s famous Peter and the Wolf. It depicts vivid scenarios such as a train ride, falling snow, skating and the bonfire promised in the title, with a youth choir joining the fifth of eight movements.
RACHMANINOFF

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
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One Minute Note

A twisting melody by Niccolò Paganini is the basis for Sergei Rachmaninoff’s ingenious set of 24 variations for piano and orchestra. The famous 18th variation turns Paganini’s theme upside down, transforming it into a gorgeous, moonlit lovesong.
TCHAIKOVSKY

Suite from The Nutcracker
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One Minute Note

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic Nutcracker, rich with colorful scoring and famous melodies, is condensed into a collection of nine movements selected by Thomas Søndergård. Among them are some of the ballet’s signature moments, including Waltz of the Flowers and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.