Minnesota Orchestra Announces Sommerfest

The highlights include the world premiere of The Art of Passion, a major jazz-classical work by Artistic Director of Jazz Irvin Mayfield, with Litton conducting; the Orchestra Hall debut of 14-year-old violinist Chad Hoopes, a prodigy who has been winning international competitions; a concert featuring Litton at the piano as soloist in Gershwin’s beloved Rhapsody in Blue; an all-Beethoven program led by Music Director Osmo Vanska; and a concert performance of the Verdi opera Aida, featuring Latonia Moore and Carl Tanner in principal roles, under Litton’s baton.

The 30th annual Sommerfest, which runs from July 17 to August 1, also features solo turns by pianist Andrew Staupe, Principal Clarinet Burt Hara and Principal Horn Michael Gast; performances by two popular sibling acts—piano virtuosos The 5 Browns and the celebrated comedy duo the Smothers Brothers; a visit from the Beatles-inspired band “1964” The Tribute; a Peter and the Wolf family production created by Theatre de la Jeune Lune; and two chamber music performances featuring Litton, Vanska and Orchestra musicians.

“Orchestra Hall is brimming with great music during Sommerfest,” says Litton. “The palpable excitement both onstage and off is fueled by the presence of so many great artists performing such a wide range of music. From Aida to Irvin Mayfield, from the 5 Browns to Beethoven’s Fifth, another great summer is on the way for audiences!”

SOMMERFEST 2009 AT A GLANCE

Sommerfest launches July 17 with two concerts including “A Night in Vienna”

The 30th annual Sommerfest launches on Friday, July 17, with two concerts including the opening evening gala “A Night in Vienna,” featuring two concertos by Mozart and popular waltz and polka selections from the “Waltz King,” Johann Strauss, Jr. Andrew Litton conducts the program, which spotlights Principal Clarinet Burt Hara in Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Principal Horn Michael Gast in the same composer’s Fourth Horn Concerto. Audiences will enjoy performances of Strauss’ On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Thunder and Lightening Polka and additional selections. Also on July 17, Music Director Osmo Vanska and members of the Orchestra perform a morning chamber music concert that includes Bruch’s Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, with Vanska on clarinet.

Litton conducts diverse set of concerts, including Aida in an opera finale

At the core of Sommerfest are six orchestral programs led by Litton, beginning with the “Night in Vienna” concert on July 17 and continuing with “The Art of Passion” on July 23, featuring the Irvin Mayfield Quintet and the premiere of The Art of Passion by Irvin Mayfield [see below for more details]. The following night showcases Litton’s keyboard flair as he performs as soloist in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Gerald Finzi’s Eclogue for Piano and Strings. On July 25 he leads 14-year-old Chad Hoopes, junior division winner of the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin Competition, in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Hoopes, who began his studies in Minneapolis at age 4, has performed with numerous ensembles throughout the world including the Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony and Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera.

Litton conducts an all-Mendelssohn program on July 31 celebrating the bicentennial of the composer’s birth with performances of his Fourth (Italian) Symphony and First Piano Concerto, with St. Paul native Andrew Staupe as soloist. The concerts mark Staupe’s third appearance with the Orchestra since winning the 2006 WAMSO Young Artist Competition. For Sommerfest’s finale on August 1, Litton leads a full concert performance of Verdi’s opera Aida with Latonia Moore singing the title role, Carl Tanner as Rhadames, Elena Bocharova as Amneris and Chester Patton as Ramfis.

Orchestra and Irvin Mayfield Quintet premiere Mayfield’s The Art of Passion

On July 23, Litton leads the Orchestra and the Irvin Mayfield Quintet in the world premiere of Irvin Mayfield’s The Art of Passion, a major new work commissioned by the Orchestra that merges jazz and classical elements. Mayfield, the Orchestra’s first-ever artistic director of jazz, explores themes of love, passion, truth and adventure in the four-movement composition. The concert is presented as part of the Piper Jaffray Jazz at Orchestra Hall series.

Additional Orchestra programs feature Vanska, Peter and the Wolf

Music Director Osmo Vanska conducts the Orchestra in an all-Beethoven program on July 18. Vanska, who has earned international acclaim for his interpretations of Beethoven’s symphonies, will lead the Fifth and Second Symphonies as well as the Egmont Overture. In a non-Sommerfest concert, the Orchestra performs the same program on July 19 at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival in Winona.

Additional Sommerfest Orchestra performances include a Peter and the Wolf family concert on July 18 featuring Prokofiev’s tale in a production created by Theatre de la Jeune Lune, performed under the baton of Associate Conductor Mischa Santora.

Chamber music concerts spotlight Litton, Vanska, Orchestra members

The Orchestra continues its tradition of Sommerfest chamber concerts, offering audiences two opportunities to hear Orchestra musicians and guest soloists performing together in an intimate setting. As he has done for prior Sommerfests, Andrew Litton moves from the podium to the piano for the July 26 concert, performing Faure’s Second Piano Quintet. Osmo Vanska picks up his clarinet and joins members of the Orchestra for the July 17 concert. -- www.minnesotaorchestra.org