“The Twin Cities’ two major orchestras are moving into the age of digital downloads and streaming music,” wrote Graydon Royce in last Friday’s (5/28) Star-Tribune (Minneapolis). “Minnesota Orchestra will offer free music downloads for the first time, beginning with this weekend’s concerts. The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, meanwhile, launched a site this week (www.thespco.org/concertrecordings) that lets fans listen to live concert recordings for free, but without downloads. The Minnesota Orchestra’s first selection is Stravinsky’s ‘Petrushka,’ which was recorded in Thursday’s concert conducted by Osmo Vänskä. It will become available for download at noon on Friday. Next weekend, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 will be offered on June 4. Users must register at the orchestra’s website (www.minnesotaorchestra.org/musicondemand). The program continues next fall. Five major works, recorded live at Orchestra Hall, will be offered as paid downloads, with the first movement available for free. … The SPCO’s current play list includes 14 pieces recorded in the last four years, including music of Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Poulenc, Mozart, Handel, Beethoven (a lovely Symphony No. 2, conducted by Roberto Abbado) and Brahms.”
Posted June 3, 2010
