The Best of Bach
Thu Dec 5 — Fri Dec 6, 2024
Orchestra Hall
Mandolin superstar Avi Avital says that “there’s something about the music of Bach that is so absolute, so universal, that the instrument you play doesn’t really matter.” He drives that point home when he borrows concertos Bach wrote for harpsichord and violin. The plot thickens with a series of Bach pieces reimagined for the modern symphony orchestra.
A Few Things to Know
- As a child, Avi Avital would sit at home and listen to his upstairs neighbor practice the mandolin. When the opportunity finally came for Avital to learn the instrument, his assigned instructor at the local music school was a skilled violinist who had added mandolin to his credentials. Avital’s graduate school instructor years later was also an accomplished violinist. Avital credits his dexterity and affinity for composers such as Vivaldi and Bach to his non-traditional music education.
- Avital is the music director of Between Worlds Ensemble, a group of ten musicians from across the globe who design concerts that focus on individual geographic regions, exploring music from each region’s history as well as its current culture.
- When French American composer Betsy Jolas learned that her music would be performed in Leipzig, the home of her musical idol, she was so thrilled that she nicknamed the German city “Bachville.”
- Plan your visit to Orchestra Hall
Program
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BACH
Sarabande, from Partita No. 1 for Solo Violin (trans. for mandolin)
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MAHLER
Bach Suite
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PÄRT
If Bach Had Been a Beekeeper
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BACH
Concerto in G minor, BWV 1056R (trans. for mandolin)
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BACH
Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 (trans. for mandolin)
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JOLAS
Letters from Bachville
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BACH/Elgar
Fantasia and Fugue in C minor
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BACH/Stokowski
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
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BACH/Skrowaczewski
Toccata and Fugue in D minor*
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HINDEMITH
Ragtime on a Theme of J.S. Bach
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*Performed during the Minnesota Orchestra's 1974–75 inaugural season at Orchestra Hall.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Jordan de Souza
conductor
Avi Avital
mandolin
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.
Canadian conductor Jordan de Souza has been appointed general music director of Theater Dortmund and chief conductor of Dortmund Philharmoniker with a five-year contract commencing in August 2025. During the 2024-25 season, he leads a new production of Don Carlo at the Royal Danish Opera and return engagements bring him to Deutsche Oper Berlin for Turandot, to Lyric Opera of Chicago and Komische Oper Berlin for La Bohème, and Deutsche Oper am Rhein for Carmen.
The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Avi Avital has been compared to Andrés Segovia for his championship of his instrument and to Jascha Heifetz for his incredible virtuosity. The driving force behind the reinvigoration of the mandolin, he has reshaped the history and the future of his instrument. He has expanded mandolin repertoire through transcriptions and by commissioning over 100 works, including concertos by Higdon, Clyne, Dorman and Sollima.
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 Lecture
When: Thu Dec 5, Fri Dec 6 | 45 Minutes Prior
Where: Target Atrium
Join host Nicholas Landrum for a pre-concert lecture 'Immortal Bach' exploring the questions: Is Bach a conservator of tradition, or a revolutionary? What is his timeless grasp on composers and audiences these 275 years after his death and how did he manage to write so much music? Landrum (he/him) is an award-winning composer, vocalist, and educator born in Philadelphia. He is the recipient of the Dean’s Prize in composition at Indiana University, where he completed his doctorate, and has had his works performed and recorded by the National Basilica Choir in DC and members of the Minnesota Orchestra among many others.
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
The 2024-2025 Classical Season is presented by Ameriprise Financial.
