You’re Invited!
Minnesota Orchestra family concerts offer a perfect opportunity to get your family together for a special outing. Enjoy cherished holiday music, go on a musical adventure or learn about music in a fun way.
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About This Concert:
Saint-Saëns' masterpiece for two pianos and orchestra will feature Young People’s Concerto Competition winner Emma Taggart and her brother Jacob Taggart as soloists. Writer Shane Hawley will also perform his original poetry inspired by the magical Carnival of Animals.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Yaniv Segal, conductor
- Shane Hawley, poet and host
- Minnesota Dance Theatre, dance ensemble
- Emma Taggart, piano
- Jacob Taggart, piano
Program
ROSSINI
Finale from William Tell Overture / 4 min
GERSHWIN
Promenade (“The Real McCoy”), from Shall We Dance, arr. Berkowitz / 4 min
MUSSORGSKY
Pictures at an Exhibition, orchestrated by Maurice Ravel, Mvmts. IV and V / 5 min
TCHAIKOVSKY
Danse des cygnes, Act II Scene 13 (III & IV) from Swan Lake / 5 min
SAINT-SAËNS
Carnival of the Animals / 22 min
Going to Orchestra Hall Pre-Visit Story | Versión en español | Qaybta af Somaliga
Carnival of the Animals Pre-Visit Story (pdf)
Fun Facts:
- Join us for an inclusive concert experience sure to delight audiences of all ages and abilities! All seats $12. One-hour concert in a relaxed environment. No intermission.
- Audiences will hear all of their favorite animals, including the Swan, the Elephant, Kangaroos, Lions, Birds and Fish.
- Rounding out the program will be the exciting Overture to William Tell and three additional pieces inspired by animals.
- Featured poet Shane Hawley is a writer and performer from Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is a 2010 National Poetry Slam Champion and the author of ABC Death, a hilarious, macabre picture book about the tricky interactions between humans and animals, published by Button Poetry.
- Participate in lobby activities (11:45am-12:45pm and 2pm-2:45pm), including opportunities to try orchestral instruments, engage in creative movement, participate in art-making, learn more about the program and meet Minnesota Orchestra musicians.
Sensory-Friendly Family Concerts:
- The Minnesota Orchestra’s Sensory-Friendly Concerts are inclusive experiences for audiences of all ages and abilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities.
- All families are welcome! These concerts take place in a relaxed environment where audience members are welcome to be who they are and enjoy music together with family and friends.
- Learn more about the concert experience with our tip sheet and other preparatory materials!
- The Minnesota Orchestra may photograph or film portions of this experience for promotional and archival purposes. Please note that by entering, you consent to be photographed or filmed for these uses.
Accessibility
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall.
Sponsor:
About This Concert
Called “a sweet stream of melodies” when it premiered, Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony sparkles alongside Libby Larsen and Johann Strauss’ aquatically-themed selections in this cheerfully springy 60 minute musical interlude.
Program
*LARSEN
Symphony: Water Music / 17 min
SCHUBERT
Symphony in B minor, Unfinished / 22 min
J. STRAUSS, Jr.
On the Beautiful Blue Danube / 10 min
Read more
Artists
- Minnesota Orchestra
- David Danzmayr, conductor
Fun Facts
- Symphony in 60 concerts include a pre-show happy hour, local craft beer, and a chance to mingle with musicians post-performance.
- Scholars are still mystified as to why Schubert didn’t finish Symphony No. 8; some speculate that it was due to the onset of syphilis that would eventually kill him at age 31.
- A passionate advocate for contemporary composers and their work, Libby Larsen co-founded the Minnesota Composers Forum, now the American Composers Forum, in 1973 to assist composers in a transitional time for American arts.
*This work is part of Minnesota Orchestra's season-long exploration and celebration of American music. Learn more about our American Expressions festival in January 2019.
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall
About This Concert
Called “a sweet stream of melodies” when it premiered, Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony sparkles alongside Libby Larsen and Johann Strauss’ aquatically-themed selections in this cheerfully springy 60 minute musical interlude.
This concert, selected by our Student Ambassadors, features $12 student tickets and free extras in the Student Zone. Activities start an hour and a half before the concert. More information coming soon!
Program
*LARSEN
Symphony: Water Music / 17 min
SCHUBERT
Symphony in B minor, Unfinished / 22 min
J. STRAUSS, Jr.
On the Beautiful Blue Danube / 10 min
Artists
- Minnesota Orchestra
- David Danzmayr, conductor
Fun Facts
- Symphony in 60 concerts include a pre-show happy hour, local craft beer, and a chance to mingle with musicians post-performance.
- Scholars are still mystified as to why Schubert didn’t finish Symphony No. 8; some speculate that it was due to the onset of syphilis that would eventually kill him at age 31.
- A passionate advocate for contemporary composers and their work, Libby Larsen co-founded the Minnesota Composers Forum, now the American Composers Forum, in 1973 to assist composers in a transitional time for American arts.
*This work is part of Minnesota Orchestra's season-long exploration and celebration of American music. Learn more about our American Expressions festival in January 2019.
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall
About This Concert
In almost six decades, this five-time Grammy®-winning a cappella group has built a reputation of doing things their own way. From their 1962 debut release, Jazz Sebastian Bach, to their numerous film and TV appearances to their most recent release, Folklore, The Swingles have never stopped reinventing themselves. Experience in person their enchanting sound, compelling originals and unique takes on everything from Bach to the Beatles.
Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.
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Fun Facts
- The group won five Grammy® awards, has made more than 50 albums and appeared on numerous film and TV soundtracks including Sex and the City, Grey’s Anatomy and Glee.
- The Swingles’ newest album, Folklore, explores folk music from around the world and features collaborations with traditional artists.
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall
About This Concert
Boldly go where few films have gone before as the Enterprise crew confronts one of the greatest threats Starfleet has ever faced (Benedict Cumberbatch) in J.J. Abrams’ 2013 sci-fi blockbuster, while the Orchestra plays Michael Giacchino’s spectacular score – live!
Artists
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Sarah Hicks, conductor
Read more
Fun Facts
- Director J.J. Abrams praises Giacchino’s music as “the secret weapon of the Star Trek series.”
- Giacchino holds the distinction of being the only composer to score both a Star Trek movie and a Star Wars movie, the latter being 2016's Rogue One.
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall
Please note: to enhance the clarity of spoken dialogue during this film screening and live musical performance, English subtitles will appear at the bottom of the screen.
©2013 Paramount Pictures. ™ CBS Studios Inc.
Sponsor:
About This Concert
Seriously talented and seriously funny, Igudesman and Joo return to the Minnesota Orchestra for a one-of-a-kind madcap musical satire.
Artists
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Sarah Hicks, conductor
- Aleksey Igudesman, violin
- Hyung-ki Joo, piano
Fun Facts
- Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo’s unique combination of humor and music reflects their shared goal to make classical music accessible to diverse audiences—think P.D.Q. Bach or Victor Borge on caffeine.
- They first met each other at age 12 in the mid-1980s at the Yehudi Menuhin School in England, and in 2004 they created their first show as a duo, “A Little Nightmare Music.”
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall
About This Concert:
The beloved children's book The Tin Forest comes to life in this magical concert.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Akiko Fujimoto, conductor
- H. Adam Harris, host
- Emma Taggart, piano
- Lynne Warfel, narrator
Program
DVOŘÁK
Slavonic Dances, Opus 46, No. 1 in C major: Presto / 4 min
GREIG
Concerto in A minor for Piano and Orchestra, Opus 16, III: Allegro moderato molto e marcato / 10 min
LARSEN
Symphony: Water Music, III: Wafting / 5 min
SMETANA
Excerpts from The Moldau, No. 2 from Má vlast (My Homeland) / 5 min
HEITZEG
The Tin Forest / 12 min
PRICE
Symphony No. 1 in E minor, III: Juba Dance / 5 min
Going to Orchestra Hall Pre-Visit Story | Versión en español | Qaybta af Somaliga
Fun Facts:
- Join us for an inclusive concert experience sure to delight audiences of all ages and abilities! All seats $12. One-hour concert in a relaxed environment. No intermission.
- Composer Steve Heitzeg often uses “found objects” as instruments in his works, and his music is filled with surprises. This will delight audiences who hear The Tin Forest, a musical retelling of Helen Ward’s beloved children’s book, in which an ugly junkyard magically grows into a beautiful forest.
- Rounding out this concert are thrilling Dvořák, Smetana and Florence Price selections performed by the Orchestra, plus a star turn by pianist Emma Taggart, the talented 16-year-old winner of the 2018 Young People's Concerto Competition, who performs the dramatic third movement of Grieg’s Piano Concerto.
- Host H. Adam Harris’ recent theatrical credits include puppeteering and voicing the title role of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax in the U.S premiere at the Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) and The Old Globe Theatre. Next up, he will play Smaug and others in the five-person adaptation of The Hobbit at CTC, in addition to directing the world premiere of How It’s Gon’ Be by JuCoby Johnson with Underdog Theatre, presented at Mixed Blood Theatre.
- Participate in lobby activities (11:45am-12:45pm and 2pm-2:45pm), including opportunities to try orchestral instruments, engage in creative movement, participate in art-making, learn more about the program and meet Minnesota Orchestra musicians.
Sensory-Friendly Family Concerts:
- The Minnesota Orchestra’s Sensory-Friendly Concerts are inclusive experiences for audiences of all ages and abilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities.
- All families are welcome! These concerts take place in a relaxed environment where audience members are welcome to be who they are and enjoy music together with family and friends.
- Learn more about the concert experience with our tip sheet and other preparatory materials!
Accessibility
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall.
Steve Heitzeg’s The Tin Forest was originally commissioned by FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra as a chamber work for Kinder Konzerts; the Minnesota Orchestra subsequently commissioned a full orchestra version of the work.
Sponsor:
About This Concert
Grab a ticket to ride in a mesmerizing symphonic journey through the history of The Beatles at Abbey Road that features smart new arrangements of their greatest hits interspersed with never-before-seen images from The Beatles Book Archives.
Artists
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Fun Facts
- This performance includes gems like “Ticket to Ride,” “Get Back,” “Hey Jude,” “Here Comes the Sun” and “All You Need is Love.”
- The Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked them as the best artist of all time, and they received the 2014 Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award.
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall
About This Concert:
From Latin grooves to swingin’ sounds and floating waltzes, this program is sure to make you feel the rhythm!
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Akiko Fujimoto, conductor
BARROSO/arr. Wasson
Brasil / 3 min
FRANK
Mestizo Waltz from Three Latin American Dances / 3 min
TCHAIKOVSKY
Waltz of the Flowers, from The Nutcracker / 7 min
ELLINGTON/arr. Strayhorn
The Floreadores, from The Swingin’ Nutcracker / 5 min
STILL
Afro-American Symphony mvt. III “Animato” / 4 min
SIBELIUS
Dance Intermezzo No. 2
COPLAND
Hoedown, from Rodeo / 3 min
COPLAND
Simple Gifts, from Appalachian Spring / 2 min
MARQUEZ
Conga del Fuego Nuevo / 5 min
Fun Facts:
Going to Orchestra Hall Pre-Visit Story | Versión en español | Qaybta af Somaliga
- Join us for an inclusive concert experience sure to delight audiences of all ages and abilities! All seats $12. One-hour concert in a relaxed environment. No intermission.
- The traditional Shaker hymn Simple Gifts was made famous after its use in Aaron Copland's popular ballet Appalachian Spring. Weezer, REM, Judy Collins and Jewel have recorded versions of it, and John Williams’ Air and Simple Gifts arrangement was performed at Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2009.
- Participate in lobby activities (11:45am-12:45pm and 2pm-2:45pm), including opportunities to try orchestral instruments, engage in creative movement, participate in art-making, learn more about the program and meet Minnesota Orchestra musicians.
- The Minnesota Orchestra may photograph or film portions of this experience for promotional and archival purposes. Please note that by entering, you consent to be photographed or filmed for these uses.
Sensory-Friendly Family Concerts:
- The Minnesota Orchestra’s Sensory-Friendly Concerts are inclusive experiences for audiences of all ages and abilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities.
- All families are welcome! These concerts take place in a relaxed environment where audience members are welcome to be who they are and enjoy music together with family and friends.
- Learn more about the concert experience with our tip sheet and other preparatory materials!
Accessibility
Accessibility at Orchestra Hall.
Sponsor: