In this week’s New Classical Tracks, violinist Hilary Hahn shares her struggle with what it means to be a performer when you’re unable to perform. Her latest album, ‘Eclipse,’ is a testament to facing that challenge with vulnerability and the support of trusted colleagues. 


Violinist Hilary Hahn makes her long-awaited return to the stage

The Minnesota Orchestra welcomes Nathalie Stutzmann back to the podium for a program that is rich with heart and soul. First, we’ll hear George Walker’s ‘Lyric for Strings.’ Then, violinist Tobias Feldmann joins the orchestra to play Prokofiev’s imaginative and exciting Second Violin Concerto, followed by Tchaikovsky’s tender and beautiful Sixth Symphony.




Minnesota Orchestra

Buy an extra seat. Don’t buy an extra seat. Check it. Don’t check it. What’s a musician to do when traveling with an instrument? It’s a question that’s raised after one of the guys from Time for Three is left at the gate once again.


Flying with instruments is touch and go

The Danish National Chamber Orchestra decided to challenge itself by having every musician eat an incredibly hot chili pepper while performing ‘Tango Jalousie’. This video shows the eye-watering result.


Video: a spicy Tango

From Mr. Tim Riley’s blog: July 30, 2007 Leon Fleisher documentary Watch for the Leon Fleisher documentary, TWO HANDS, on Cinemax this Thursday evening, August 2 at 7pm. Here and Now story with interview airs Wednesday, 8/1, around 12:45 EDT on WBUR-FM, Boston, 90.9. Check this page for audio after 2pm that afternoon. Every once […]


Leon Fleischer on Cinemax

Speakina notable birthdays – the brilliant “What’s Opera, Doc?” turned 50 yesterday! There’s a nice little tribute online, written by a guy named Steve Watt, who owns an animation-only gallery. Here’s a snippet – emphasis added by yours truly. A few years ago, when I staged a tribute to Chuck [Jones] and his incredible body […]


Ohhhhh Bwuunhillduh….you'we so wuuuuuuv-weee…

Picture of the day. There are actually three pictures…click on the third thumbnail for the payoff.


Hey, At Least He's Not Talking On His Cell Phone

A colleague of mine went to see Tchaikovsky’s Eugen Onegin over the weekend – not at the Ordway or in Orchestra Hall, but at the Regal Cinemas in Eagan. As always, The Met broadcast the production live to radio, but they also beamed an HD audio and video stream to select movie theatres around the […]


Taking in a matinee with Garrison Keillor

At MPR’s recent employee party, we had the opportunity to explore our “youthiness” (to adapt a Stephen Colbert-ism) via interactive video games like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, DDR is basically an electronic Twister mat linked to an onscreen video with an […]


Opera Hero

Come June, Minnesota Orchestra CEO Anthony Woodcock will be mothballing his Vikings jersey in order to sport some new colors…Patriots’ red, white & blue. Woodcock, originally from Old England, is headed to New England to take over at the NE Conservatory. He’s been with the Minnesota Orchestra since 2003, helping Osmo Vanska bring 14% more […]


Val Kahler

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