Nordic Landscapes and Portraits
Fri Jan 10 — Sat Jan 11, 2025
Orchestra Hall
If you like exploring new musical terrain, you’ll love this evocative program that explores Nordic landscapes and portraits. Hear the fresh voices of Iceland’s Daníel Bjarnason and Denmark’s Bent Sørensen, alongside an overture from the last century by Sweden’s Elfrida Andrée and Finlandia by Jean Sibelius. The playing of Principal Clarinet Gabriel Campos Zamora in Carl Nielsen’s stormy and dramatic Clarinet Concerto will remind you why he’s a local treasure.
A Few Things to Know
- Nielsen’s Clarinet Concerto has been programmed in Minnesota Orchestra concerts just three times, including this week’s performances by Principal Clarinet Gabriel Campos Zamora. Each time, though, it has been led by Scandinavians: Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste in 1992, Minnesota Orchestra’s Finnish Music Director Osmo Vänskä in 2004, and now Danish Music Director Thomas Søndergård.
- Elfrida Andrée was the first Swedish woman to conduct a symphony orchestra and one of Scandinavia’s first professional female organists. She was a significant activist in the Swedish women’s movement throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Outi Tarkiainen is deeply moved by the stunning beauty and endless light of Arctic summers. Her Midnight Sun Variations is a meditation all at once on the wildness of this natural light, the changing of seasons, and the story of her son’s birth.
- Plan your visit to Orchestra Hall
Program
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ANDRÉE
Concert Overture
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NIELSEN
Clarinet Concerto
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BJARNASON
Air to Breath, from Bow to String
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SØRENSEN
Evening Land
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TARKIAINEN
Midnight Sun Variations
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SIBELIUS
Finlandia
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Thomas Søndergård
conductor
Gabriel Campos Zamora
clarinet
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.
Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård, who in September 2024 began his second season as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, is a highly regarded conductor in both the orchestral and opera spheres. He has earned a reputation for incisive interpretations of works by composers from his native Denmark, a great versatility in a broad range of standard and modern repertoire, and a collaborative approach with the musicians he leads. His 2024-25 season in Minnesota began with two weeks of season opening concerts featuring Yunchan Lim and Leila Josefowicz. Other season highlights include performances of Mozart’s Requiem and Puccini’s Turandot, a January festival of music from Nordic countries and the return of the Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute.
Gabriel Campos Zamora, a native of San José, Costa Rica, is the principal clarinet of the Minnesota Orchestra. Before joining the Orchestra, Gabriel was the associate principal clarinet of the Kansas City Symphony and has appeared as guest principal clarinet with the Cleveland Orchestra and Seattle and Houston symphonies, in addition to serving as the Virginia Symphony’s principal clarinet.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
Half Off Half Hour
50% off wine, beer, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.
- For 7pm concerts: 5:30-6pm
- For 8pm concerts: 6:30-7pm
- For 11am concerts: 9:30-10am
- For 2pm concerts: 12:30-1pm
Pre-Concert Performance
With the SF 100 Chorus
When: Fri, Jan 10 | 7:15-7:45PM
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer
The SF 100 Chorus performs Finnish Folk music, led by director Eeva Savolainen and collaborative pianist Sari Rönnholm. Over the years, the choir has collaborated with Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, Nordic choirs, and Finnish musical organizations. Join us for a night of Finnish music and experiences presented in partnership with FinnFest USA and Finlandia Foundation Twin Cities/Finnish American Cultural Association (FFTC/FACA).
Pre-Concert Performance
Taylor Ann Grand & Lisa Jensen
When: Sat, Jan 11 | 1:15-1:45pm
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer
Join us for an afternoon of Danish delights with a performance by Taylor Ann Grand singing Danish classical and folk music accompanied by Lisa Jensen on piano. Music and Danish crafts are presented in partnership with the Danish American Center in Minneapolis.
Post-Concert Interview
Melissa Ousley and Thomas Søndergård
When: Sat, Jan 11 | Post Concert
Where: On Stage
Minnesota Public Radio's Melissa Ousley interviews music director Thomas Søndergård on stage immediately following the concert. Ousley has been the host of Minnesota Orchestra's live broadcasts since 2019.
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.
Download the MinnOrch App
With our mobile app, you can pre-order intermission drinks, scan your ticket for entry and more. You'll also get exclusive deals just for app users!
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.
Sponsored by
With this concert, we gratefully recognize Al and Kathy Lenzmeier for their generosity as lead sponsors for this program.
The 2024-2025 Classical Season is presented by Ameriprise Financial.
