The SPCO

Mark Russell Smith is the director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Minnesota Music School. From the moment he plans a concert, through giving insights to the audience from the podium to actually presenting the score, Mark brings an enthusiasm and commitment to a concert that makes the event unforgettable.

Tune in on Saturday, April 28 at 8 p.m. as Artistic Partner Roberto Abbado kicks off three weeks of concerts celebrating the music of Felix Mendelssohn with two of the composer's five symphonies, including his final symphony, Reformation. In addition, Principal Timpanist Michael Israelievitch will perform James MacMillan's Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, a concerto for percussion based on the Advent plainchant of the same name.

Retired Social Worker Richard Wintersteen served all over the world, and always had his trombone with him to play in community groups. Richard has great stories and a trombone-laden playlist!

Minneapolis pianist Simon Blaine-Sauer is one of Minnesota Varsity's 2012 Showcase Artists. Watch our video of him performing!

This week's Morning Glories comprise an eclectic set of works from late classical to late romantic composers.

Tune in at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 7 as Bill Morelock hosts a live broadcast of the SPCO performing the second of three programs spotlighting the works of Franz Schubert. This program features the composer's colossal Ninth Symphony, appropriately nicknamed The Great, and the Overture to Alfonso and Estrella. Between these works, the orchestra will perform Betty Olivero's Neharot, Neharot, featuring renowned violist Kim Kashkashian.

For Holy Week, Classical MPR is offering sacred music including four different musical depictions of the passion history, Durufle's Requiem, and Mozart's Mass in C Minor.

Retired engineer Ron Haglind is studying French these days in hopes of being able to communicate on his many trips to the Continent. That led to his discovery of "Le Mozart Noire" and a really fresh playlist for us.

The Schubert Club, Minnesota oldest arts organization, has a new Director. Barry Kempton's gracious accent reveals his English roots. But Kempton is no stranger to Minnesota. He spent eleven years as Artistic Planner and General Manager of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Now, after five years in England running the London Sinfonia, Kempton is back in Minnesota as the Schubert Club's Artistic and Executive Director.

They are colleagues and friends, a most welcome combination in the highly emotional world of chamber music performance. First chair players in the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra, Steven Copes, Ruggero Allifranchini , Maiya Papach and Tony Ross are Accordo. In anticipation of a performance on Monday, February 6, Accordo stopped by to perform and chat with Steve Staruch.