Minnesota Orchestra

Ken-David Masur (son of Kurt) made his Minnesota Orchestra conducting debut Friday night in a concert of American music that began with a piece that John Williams wrote for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, ‘Summon the Heroes.’ Listen now.

Only a limited number will be allowed in Orchestra Hall. The orchestra will continue presenting live concerts on radio, TV and livestream through at least August.

From Mahler to Berlioz, bells are an important part of orchestral repertoire. But, for the longest time, the Minnesota Orchestra relied on computer-based bell samplings and chimes to bring out those booming sounds. Thanks to a generous gift, however, two new bells will be added to the ensemble.

COVID-19 cancellations of concerts and the orchestra's biggest fundraiser of the year, the Symphony Ball, punched a hole in the organizations finances.

Gathering with our community, our family, and our people to celebrate this holiday season will likely be different than in years past. Listen to 'A Midwinter Gathering' with the Minnesota Orchestra and Kevin Kling.

To celebrate National Radio Day (Aug. 20), Classical MPR offers a special presentation of our live March 13 broadcast of the Minnesota Orchestra, with remastered audio and new commentary from host Melissa Ousley, as a gift to listeners. On that historic night, the orchestra performed to an audience-less hall amid concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

Welcome Melissa Ousley as the new host of Classical MPR's live broadcasts of the Minnesota Orchestra. She takes over at 8 p.m. Fridays from longtime host Brian Newhouse.