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Sterling Elliott

Beethoven and Tchaikovsky

Thu Apr 18 — Fri Apr 19, 2024

Orchestra Hall

~2 hours, including intermission

Estonian conductor Kristiina Poska makes a long-awaited debut with the Minnesota Orchestra. Joining her for this program is American cellist Sterling Elliott, a fast-rising star who has been winning concerto competitions since he was just 7 years old. Together, Poska, Elliott and the Minnesota Orchestra share bright, sunny music—including crowd favorites by Aaron Copland, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Ludwig van Beethoven—in a program that invites the energy of spring into Orchestra Hall with open arms!

A Few Things to Know

  1. Only 24 years old, cellist Sterling Elliott is one of three awardees of the 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, receiving a $50,000 career grant. Read our Q&A with Sterling.
  2. Tchaikovsky composed his Rococo Variations during a challenging period of depression and poor health, but the piece flowed quickly onto paper and helped Tchaikovsky to work through the difficult time.
  3. Igor Stravinsky once commented that the Eighth was his personal favorite of Beethoven’s symphonies.

Explore the concert extras

Date & Time

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Program

  • COPLAND

    Appalachian Spring

    1 min note

    One Minute Note

    Aaron Copland’s ballet suite tells the tale of a young pioneer couple in rural Pennsylvania through square dances, country fiddling and a famous finale built on the Shaker song Simple Gifts.

  • TCHAIKOVSKY

    Variations on a Rococo Theme

    1 min note

    One Minute Note

    Traveling from an original theme in the cello through seven variations and a lively coda, Variations on a Rococo Theme is light, elegant and full of charm.

  • BEETHOVEN

    Symphony No. 8

    1 min note

    One Minute Note

    With its cheerful disposition and quick pace, this complex yet eminently listenable symphony was one of Beethoven’s own favorites. He wrote it while he was losing the last of his hearing and coping with a family feud, making its bright spirit all the more remarkable.

Artists

Minnesota Orchestra

Kristiina Poska

conductor

Sterling Elliott

cello

 

Video: Copland's "Appalachian Spring"

Listen Ahead

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

MSAB

The 2023-2024 Classical Season is presented by Ameriprise Financial.

This concert is supported in part by the Sally and Ernest Lehmann Family Fund, in memory of Sally Lehmann