Side by Side

SIDE BY SIDE

By Anabel Njoes

On Saturday, October 19 the University Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra gave a side-by-side performance of the fourth movement of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 “Leningrad” in Orchestra Hall under the baton of Osmo Vänskä. The concert was part of the Minnesota Orchestra’s week-long Hear into the Future program.

Minnesota Orchestra and U of M bassoonists left to right: Hui Zhang, Fei Xie, Norbert Nielubowski, Ariel Detwiler, Chris Marshall

“What an honor to play alongside such amazing musicians, and have them shuffle for us when we played an exposed duet!” said student Ariel Detwiler (DMA, bassoon). Family, teachers, and friends from the University and Twin Cities music community filled the audience.

Music connections are fantastic ways to keep our community strong and vibrant.

— MARGARET BRACKEN BOARD CHAIR, MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA

“Our Minnesota Orchestra musicians loved sharing their artistry with the immensely talented U of M music students — and it was a wonderful thrill for the audience!” says Margaret Bracken, board chair of the Minnesota Orchestra and a lifetime director of MacPhail Center for Music. “Music connections are fantastic ways to keep our community strong and vibrant.”

“It’s wonderful — I’m so excited about future collaborations,” said Michael Kim, director of the School of Music, who joined the board of the Minnesota Orchestra last year.

UP NEXT

Westminister Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis

Andrea Rugg Photography

Following their performance at Orchestra Hall, the strings of the University Symphony Orchestra (USO) began preparing for a free concert at Westminister Presbyterian Church’s new performance hall, named the “best new classical music venue” in the Twin Cities (Star Tribune). There they will present a program featuring Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings, Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2. For Beethoven, the student musicians will be joined by the School of Music faculty and Minnesota Orchestra musicians, as well as selected USO alumni.

“Rehearsing and performing the music of Beethoven is an essential part of any orchestral musician’s training,” says Mark Russell Smith, Artistic Director of Orchestral Studies and conductor of the USO. “The students are honored to share the stage with their professors, many of whom are members of the Minnesota Orchestra. Beethoven’s music is invigorating and challenging, regardless of age or experience. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues at the U for mentoring and guiding our orchestral students.”

UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT WESTMINSTER HALL

Tuesday, December 10th at 7:30 pm Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, MN

Strings of the University Symphony Orchestra with winds from the U of M faculty, Minnesota Orchestra members, and USO alumni. Program featuring Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings, Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2. Mark Russell Smith, conductor. Free and open to the public.