The SPCO

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Principal Cellist Julie Albers explains how she found her cello, an 1872 Vuillaume. She didn't love it at first, but grew to love its sound over time. 'I spent about a year really learning this instrument,' Albers says. 'It was a very good decision.' Watch her complete interview.

Starting Friday, Sept. 11, Classical MPR will air concert highlights by from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra on Fridays at 11 a.m. This week's highlight comes from the SPCO's Ordway Concert Hall-opening night in March 2015.

It's not that James Lileks sees different things than you or me, he just sees them differently. Lileks is Steve Staruch's guest on Music with Minnesotans

Carl Lundstrom is a specialist in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. A cancer survivor, Carl has a special place on his playlist for choral music. Carl is Steve Staruch's guest on this week's Music with Minnesotans.

Gary Lee Joyner has the heart of a teacher. His classical playlist is filled with music that transports him. Gary is Steve Staruch's guest on this week's Music with Minnesotans.

The virtuosic pianist and conductor -- and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra artistic partner -- leads the SPCO in works by Dvořak and Schumann on Saturday, June 6. Alison Young hosts the live broadcast of the concert, airing Saturday at 8 p.m. on Classical MPR.

Listen to Classical MPR on April 3 at 10 a.m. for a Good Friday special: Belgian conductor Philippe Herreweghe leads a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. Alison Young hosts the broadcast.

This week, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra inaugurates a new chapter in its history. The SPCO stays at the Ordway in downtown St. Paul, but now they'll be playing in the brand-new Concert Hall -- a visually and acoustically striking space, specially designed to complement the sound and intimacy of a chamber orchestra. On Morning Glories, we'll join in the celebration with five SPCO performances, in recordings from the archive of Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

Join host Alison Young for a live broadcast on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m., as the SPCO Chorale and Dale Warland return with a cast of talented soloists to present a program of works composed for orchestra and voice, including Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Andrew Manze conducts.

The custom-designed, 1,100-seat hall will formally open Feb. 28. Until then, the orchestra will hold rehearsals and practice concerts so its acoustician can fine-tune the sound of the space.