“At the heart of the Minnesota Orchestra’s 2018-19 season is an explosion of American music,” writes Terry Blain in Sunday’s (3/18) Star Tribune (Minneapolis). “No fewer than 24 U.S. composers are featured—including 11 living ones—for a total of 33 American compositions…. The season boasts a flagship ‘American Expressions Festival’ … with four concerts conducted by Music Director Osmo Vänskä. Audiences can expect to hear everything from ‘Remembering Gatsby’ by John Harbison … and ‘American Nomad’ by Twin Cities composer Steve Heitzeg as well as Copland, Gershwin and the late St. Paul composer Stephen Paulus…. The jewel in the crown, though, is the rare opportunity to hear a symphony by Florence Price…. Vänskä also continues his exploration of Mahler’s symphonies…. Works by eight female composers feature in the orchestra’s classical concerts … Of particular note is the opportunity to hear the ‘Gaelic’ Symphony by Amy Beach, [who] blazed a lonely trail in 19th-century America. Today, her music is less widely heard than it should be.” Also planned in 2018-19 are the U.S. premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Martland Memorial, with percussionist Colin Currie; a program featuring Minneapolis rap vocalist Dessa; and a concert of music by LGBT composers.
Posted March 20, 2018
Pictured: Music Director Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra. Photo by Greg Helgeson
