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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.


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Michael Israelievitch new SPCO Principal Timpani

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Alison Young

Lynne has been at this radio thing since 1984 when she fell into an historic job at KFAC AM and FM, the commercial classical station in Los Angeles.  She was the first woman staff announcer in the station's history, and it was such big news back then, it made the LA newspapers and national radio publications.  She is thrilled women in radio is no longer newsworthy.


Lynne Warfel

Still in his mid-20's, percussionist Michael Israelievitch has already been hailed by the New York Times as an artist of "infectious charisma" and by the Toronto Star as a "very stylish and subtle musician." A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Israelievitch received degrees from Julliard and Boston University and has most recently performed as Principal Timpanist of the New World Symphony. Michael and his father, violinist Jacques Israelievitch perform together and have commissioned dozens of works by leading composers. They released their first commercial recording in 2006, "Hammer and Bow."


Michael Israelievitch

Twenty-something Michael Israelievitch has just been named Principal Timpani of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. It was a grueling (but thorough!) audition and he feels ready to take on his new role.


The SPCO

SPCO names new Principal Timpanist

Kirill Gerstein

Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2; mvt. 1 - Gerstein/SPCO

Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2; mvt. 2 - Gerstein/SPCO

Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2; mvt. 3 - Gerstein/SPCO

Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein is the guest in this weekend's Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts playing Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2 with Hans Graf conducting. 
Mr. Gerstein will be performing all over North America this season - the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Charles Dutoit, the Atlanta Symphony, as well as re-engagements with the Detroit, Houston, and Oregon Symphonies and a tour with cellist Steven Isserlis that includes performances at the Kennedy Center and in San Francisco. 
He'll also return to South America to play in Caracas with Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra.
Born in 1979 in Voronezh, Russia, Mr. Gerstein taught himself to play jazz by listening to his parents' extensive record collection. He came to the U.S. at 14 to continue his studies in jazz piano as the youngest student ever to attend Boston's Berklee College of Music. He studied classical piano at the Manhattan School of Music.


2010 Gilmore Artist Award winner Kirill Gerstein's musical education included classical studies as well as jazz at the Berklee School, and his music is infused with both a Russian sensibility and a jazz spontaneity.


2010 Gilmore Artist Award winner Kirill Gerstein on Bach, Rach and jazz

Stravinsky, Pulcinella Suite

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio on Monday mornings and at other times during the week. Prior to joining the staff of MPR in 2004, Steve presented a variety of radio programs on WCAL in Northfield, Minn., where he created an immensely popular call-in program, and on WXXI in Rochester, New York. Outside radio, Steve also enjoys work as a freelance tenor and violist. Steve and his wife, Naomi, enjoy traveling, gardening and hosting dinner parties.


Steve Staruch

As the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra plans to say farewell to Artistic Partner Douglas Boyd next week, Classical Minnesota Public Radio is featuring some of his most memorable performances of the last six seasons.


Regional Spotlight™

Regional Spotlight: Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite

Douglas Boyd's SPCO Swan Song

Schumann, Symphony No. 4: Ziemlich langsam

Schumann, Symphony No. 4: Romanze

Schumann, Symphony No. 4: Scherzo

Schumann, Symphony No. 4: Langsam

His musician colleagues call him "Dougie," but Douglas Boyd is all about hard work in rehearsals and concerts. That has allowed him to forge a strong connection with the SPCO and audiences for the six years of his artistic partnership. He bids adieu to Minnesota this month.


Douglas Boyd waves farewell to the SPCO

The SPCO plays Igor Stravinsky, Movements for Piano and Orchestra (1959)

A Windfall of Musicians

Hitler's unwitting gift to America: a gathering of Europe's great musicians in Southern California.


Hitler's Emigres and Exiles in Southern California

A Perfect Storm: Hitler, Hollywood and the great emigre musicians

Minnesota Orchestra contract modification

Euan Kerr is an arts reporter for MPR News.


Euan Kerr

Minnesota Orchestra musicians have agreed to have their contract modified to include wage freezes to help the orchestra through the current economic crisis.


Minnesota Orchestra accepts wage freeze

Andrew Litton leads the Minnesota Orchestra with soloists from the ranks of the ensemble both playing Mozart; clarinetist Burt Hara and French Horn player Michael Gast.

Sommerfest 1

Andrew Litton is on the podium of the Minnesota Orchestra's Sommerfest for his seventh season, beginning the series in its traditional vein with Johann Strauss.


Andrew Litton conducting the Minnesota Orchestra