The SPCO

Spring for Music, a new and innovative festival of concerts by North American symphony and chamber orchestras presented annually at Carnegie Hall to broad music-loving audiences, is being presented through a unique marketing structure built around adventurous and creative programs. The festival is designed to allow chosen orchestras to showcase their artistic philosophies through distinctive and creative programming in one of the world's most competitive musical environments.

Photos from the ongoing Spring for Music series brought to you by Classical Live.

In this week's edition, Alison Young talks with Dancer/Choreographer/Artistic Director James Sewell. He has long used classical music as a source for the dances he creates, and you'll never hear these pieces the same when he describes how the vibrations move him!

Classical MPR's assistant music director takes a musical trip around America, led by Spring for Music orchestras

He's one of the greatest Mozart interpreters in the world, and this weekend, he'll be right here in Minnesota. Christian Zacharias plays and conducts the SPCO in our live broadcast this Saturday at 8:00 on Classical MPR. You can listen on-line now to his "desert island discs."

Bach's Birthday is Monday and we celebrate all day this Saturday with a cycle of free hour-long concerts at five Saint Paul churches.

Long time friends, SPCO concertmaster Steven Copes and pianist Shai Wosner played Beethoven to open their Music in the Park recital.

Frida Kahlo comes to life again in a stunning set of songs by the American Latina composer Gabriela Lena Frank written for Dawn Upshaw and the Saint Paul Chamber orchestra.

Gustav Mahler called it "probably the most personal composition I have created thus far" - Das Lied von der Erde - The Song of the Earth. This Saturday at 8:00 you'll have a front row seat for a spectacular setting arranged for smaller forces by Arnold Schoenberg when we broadcast live the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra with their new artistic partner Edo de Waart and the thrilling up-and-coming mezzo, Sasha Cooke.

Baritone Matt Tintes is currently in his second season with Cantus. Originally from Fargo, N.D., Eric's education background includes a BS in Secondary Vocal Music Education from North Dakota State University and an MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Here, he shares his thoughts on the joy of collaborating with the SPCO, the northern lights and his surprising admiration for David Hasselhoff.