“The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has named another high-profile soloist and conductor as its newest artistic partner,” writes Kristin Tillotson in Tuesday’s (4/28) Star Tribune (Minneapolis). “Pekka Kuusisto is known not only for violin virtuosity, but also for imaginative collaborations with a variety of artists, including folk, electronic and jazz bands as well as a juggler and a fashion designer. The 38-year-old from Finland, whose tenure begins in September 2016, has never made such a commitment with an American orchestra. The opportunity to explore new ways to work and perform with the SPCO ‘gives me reindeer-bumps,’ he said … ‘I’ve spent the last 20 years exploding in all directions, so this chance with the SPCO to focus a bit more in one place makes me super happy.’ ” Kuusisto admires such contemporary composers as Nico Muhly and Bryce Dessner, and “has also been playing more chamber music lately because he’s enjoying the challenges of directing from his instrument. ‘One thing I’m looking to do in St. Paul is tackle more complicated scores without a conductor,’ he said. ‘The SPCO musicians are willing to take on that responsibility, and it will give us a whole new set of tools to work with.’ ”
Posted April 29, 2015
