Søndergård Conducts Enigma Variations
Fri Jan 5 — Sat Jan 6, 2024
Orchestra Hall
Imagine if you were to create individual pieces of art in homage to each of your very closest companions and mentors. What would these “portraits” look or sound like? This is exactly what Edward Elgar did as he honored the important people in his life in each of the 14 variations of his Enigma theme. Hailed as “exceptional” and “mesmerizing” by the Star Tribune, violinist Augustin Hadelich returns to Orchestra Hall to play Benjamin Britten’s Violin Concerto. The concerts include Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Idyll, continuing the Orchestra’s championing of music recorded for its Listening Project initiative.
A Few Things to Know
- In August 2022, Augustin Hadelich released his newest album, which features Britten’s Violin Concerto. Thomas Søndergård and Hadelich recently performed this piece together with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in January 2023.
- Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Idyll began as the second movement of his First Symphony, which he composed while still a student at Stanford University. Though its first performance took place in 1901, a fully engraved set of score and parts for Idyll only just became widely available in 2021.
- The four composers on this program, all from the U.K., would have all been alive at the same time early in the 20th century if it were not for Coleridge-Taylor’s early death at age 37. Britten was born just one year later.
Program
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WALTON
Scapino
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BRITTEN
Violin Concerto
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COLERIDGE-TAYLOR
Idyll
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ELGAR
Enigma Variations
Artists
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. This fall, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård begins his tenure as music director.
Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård, the newly announced 11th music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, will serve for the 2022-23 season as the ensemble’s music director designate before beginning his music director role in September 2023. He is the current music director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), following six seasons as principal guest conductor. Between 2012 and 2018, he served as principal conductor of BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW), after stepping down as principal conductor and musical advisor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
Augustin Hadelich is one of the great violinists of our time. From Bach to Brahms, from Bartók to Adès, he has mastered a wide-ranging and adventurous repertoire. Often referred to by colleagues as a musician's musician, he is consistently cited worldwide for his phenomenal technique, soulful approach, and insightful interpretations.
Mr. Hadelich’s 2020/21 season culminated in performances of the Brahms Violin Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. These were the first performances played by the full ensemble to a live audience in Davies Hall in 15 months. Mr. Hadelich’s 2021/22 season started off with a three-concert stunning debut with the Berlin Philharmonic (Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2). Shortly thereafter, came the European premiere of a new violin concerto written for him by Irish composer, Donnacha Dennehy. He will play the rescheduled world premiere with the Oregon Symphony in October of 2022. Other highlights of the 2021-22 season include being named Artist-in-Residence with the Frankfurter Museumsorchester, the continuation of his residency as Associate Artist with the NDR Elbphilharmonie/Hamburg, and debuts with L’Orchestre National de France, the Prague Radio Symphony, and the Warsaw Philharmonic.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
Know Before You Go
An engaging performance awaits, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Make this visit your own with food and activity options. Browse these helpful tips, and when your concert date arrives, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Directions & Parking
All the information you need to know for getting to and from Orchestra Hall. Parking is just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.
Pre-order beverages
Skip the lines at the bar! Pre-order your intermission beverage via the Minnesota Orchestra App when you arrive at Orchestra Hall.
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
sponsored by
The 2023-2024 Classical Season is presented by Ameriprise Financial.