The Minnesota Orchestra opens its 106th season of subscription concerts—its sixth under Music Director Osmo Vanska—with Minnesota-born guitarist Sharon Isbin headlining a program of works from or inspired by Spanish-speaking countries. Isbin performs one of the most popular concert pieces ever written for her instrument, Joaquin Rodrigo's soulful Concierto de Aranjuez.
Also featured are works by Emmanuel Chabrier, Manuel de Falla and Alberto Ginastera, as well as Aaron Copland's festive El Salon Mexico, an ode to America's southern neighbor.
The concert is performed three times at Orchestra Hall on Thursday, September 18, at 11 a.m., Friday, September 19, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, September 20, at 8 p.m., with ticket prices ranging from $21 to $83.
Sharon Isbin, guitar
Grammy Award-winner Sharon Isbin, a Twin Cities native, is one of today's most prominent classical guitarists. She has made solo appearances with more than 160 orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra. Her repertoire ranges from Bach's lute suites to newly-commissioned concertos by John Corigliano, Tan Dun and others.
Isbin made her Minnesota Orchestra debut in 1971 at the age of 14 after winning the YPSCA (Young People's Symphony Concert Association) School Music Auditions. "This event, in effect, launched my career in music," she says. She last appeared at Orchestra Hall at a November 2007 U.S. Bank Weekender Pops concert with violinist Mark O'Connor. These concerts mark the first time the Orchestra has opened a subscription season with a guitar soloist.
In conjunction with her appearance with the Orchestra, Isbin will lead a master class at the University of Minnesota on Tuesday, September 16, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Music celebrating Spain and Latin America
A Frenchman's Spanish sojourn and an American's travels to Mexico inspired the works that open and close these concerts. Emmanuel Chabrier's Espana begins with guitar-like strumming, then presents a vibrant Spanish street scene full of spontaneity. Aaron Copland's El Salon Mexico transforms four south-of-the-border folk tunes into a symphonic tour de force full of shifting rhythms.
Joaquin Rodrigo's popular guitar vehicle Concierto de Aranjuez recalls the Spain of centuries past. At its heart is the mournful Adagio, a quiet love song that has been excerpted in many film soundtracks and has inspired arrangements by such artists as Herb Alpert and Miles Davis.
Manuel de Falla's Second Suite from The Three-Cornered Hat contains three lively Andalusian folk dances culled from a score written for Ballets Russes.
Alberto Ginastera's Variaciones concertantes offers an Argentinian twist on the theme-and-variations form. Its twelve episodes—each spotlighting a different solo instrument, pairing or section—range in mood from humorous to dramatic.
A toast to the new season
To celebrate the launch of the 2008-09 season, concertgoers are invited to join Osmo Vanska and Orchestra musicians in a toast following the September 18, 19 and 20 concerts at Orchestra Hall. The festivities are compliments of the Orchestra's season sponsor, the global financial services firm UBS.
Upcoming 2008-09 season highlights
Highlights of the Orchestra's 2008-09 classical season include a January 2009 festival celebrating the music of Leonard Bernstein, culminating in performances of his epic Mass; an eight-city tour of Europe with violinist Joshua Bell; a concert at New York's Carnegie Hall; three new recording projects, including live in-concert recording sessions of Tchaikovsky piano concertos with soloist Stephen Hough; and season finale concerts featuring performances of Beethoven's magnificent Missa Solemnis. -- www.minnesotaorchestra.org
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