Søndergård Conducts the Rite of Spring
Thu Oct 20 — Sat Oct 22, 2022
Orchestra Hall
Provocative. Primal. Powerful. Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, one of classical music's greatest hits, changed the course of music history. Experience what drove Parisian audiences to riot at its premiere in 1913. Plus, you won't want to miss music director designate Thomas Søndergård's only appearance with the Orchestra this season!
A Few Things to Know
- Thomas Søndergård began his music career at the age of 8, studying percussion. He joined the Royal Danish Orchestra as a timpanist until changing career paths to become a conductor at age 27.
- Of a Spring Morning was the final work created by French composer Lili Boulanger before she died tragically at the age of 24.
- Ravel’s Mother Goose ballet includes five tender and nostalgic miniatures inspired by fairy tales. He was known to have had an extensive collection of toys, music boxes, figurines and other small collectibles. His love of whimsical storytelling is apparent in Mother Goose.
- Stravinsky’s music for The Rite of Spring broke all the rules of traditional classical compositions, especially for use on the ballet stage. Initially rife with controversy, his music calls for an enormous orchestra which he pushes to the extremes of range, volume and rhythmic complexity.
Program
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L. BOULANGER
Of a Spring Morning
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Lili Boulanger’s Of a Spring Morning invites us into a vivid scene, one buzzing with energy and excitement. Over the span of just a few minutes, her music paints shimmering colors and showcases delicate, beautiful growth, not unlike the first few moments of a fresh spring day.
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RAVEL
Mother Goose [complete ballet]
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Maurice Ravel’s simple and beautiful ballet score, based on five well-known French fairy tales, sounds like nothing so much as the innocent, easily entranced mind of a child. It is often played as a short orchestral suite, but these performances feature the complete work as Ravel originally wrote it.
- INTERMISSION
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STRAVINSKY
The Rite of Spring
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Of this work—which drew jeers at its 1913 premiere—Igor Stravinsky wrote: it “represents pagan Russia and is unified by a single idea: the mystery and great surge of the creative power of Spring.” Vibrant sounds of nature set the scene for the story, an imagined pagan ritual in which a sacrificial virgin dances herself to death.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Thomas Søndergård
conductor
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.
Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård, the newly announced 11th music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, will serve for the 2022-23 season as the ensemble’s music director designate before beginning his music director role in September 2023. He is the current music director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), following six seasons as principal guest conductor. Between 2012 and 2018, he served as principal conductor of BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW), after stepping down as principal conductor and musical advisor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
PRE-CONCERT INTERVIEW
When: 45 mins prior to concert
Where: Check lobby signage upon arrival
Host Phillip Gainsley will introduce music director designate Thomas Søndergård and explore his vision for the Minnesota Orchestra. Later, Phil will be joined by Minnesota Orchestra musicians on the music director search committee to learn about the qualities that led them to select Søndergård as their new leader.
Exhibit by The Museum of Russian Art
When: Thurs - Sat | Pre-Concert and Intermission
Where: Balcony A
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.
We also offer convenient valet parking as well as buses for our Thursday Coffee Concerts!
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.
Video: Q&A with Thomas Søndergård and Michelle Miller Burns
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.
PRE- AND POST-CONCERT ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY
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