The SPCO

While orchestras nationwide experienced a decline in ticket sales of more than 20 percent in the last decade, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra audience has increased by more than 40 percent.

Celebrate the holidays with one of classical music's most cherished works. Handel's "Messiah" continues to captivate generations of music lovers with iconic refrains from "Comfort ye, my people" to the "Hallelujah Chorus." The Basilica of Saint Mary provides the perfect setting to enjoy these sublime performances led by conductor Paul Agnew.

Acclaimed Moldovan violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja is known for looking for something new in compositions. MPR News Arts Reporter Euan Kerr spoke with Kopatchinskaja as she prepares to make her debut this weekend as an artistic partner with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.

As the musicians came onto stage, I got to experience my kids' joy as they said, "Dad, there's a cello!" or, "Dad, I see a trombone!"

The Minnesota Orchestra's Norbert Nielubowski shares an up-close-and-personal look at the bassoon to help us better understand what some may consider an orchestral oddball. For starters, it's not an oboe.

Conductor and clarinetist Martin Frost is now an artistic partner of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. This dynamic musician is known for his sound and delicate phrasing, as well as for his courage to push the boundaries of classical music. Frost spoke to Alison Young by phone from his home in Sweden.

November's a busy month on the concert calendar, with interesting events happening all around our region. This week on Morning Glories, we'll highlight the artistry of four acclaimed soloists and one historic choir, whom you can also see live and in person.

How much about the flute do you know? Test your knowledge with this quiz written by Classical MPR's resident flutist, host Alison Young.

When SPCO principal flutist Julia Bogorad-Kogan got her first flute at age nine, it was love at first breath. Although she asserts the flute is "the sunshine of the orchestra," Bogorad-Kogan cautions that it's not for wimps. Read more about the flute-player's perspective in the latest of our section's-eye view series.

Third Coast Percussion's mission is to explore the extraordinary sonic possibilities of the percussion repertoire. David Skidmore of Third Coast Percussion spoke to Alison Young ahead of the group's performance as part of the SPCO's Liquid Music series.