The SPCO

In October 2016, the classical music world lost Neville Marriner, who died at home at the age of 92. Among many highlights in his career, Marriner had been the music director of the Minnesota Orchestra from 1978 to 1986. On Friday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m., join host Brian Newhouse for the live broadcast of the Minnesota Orchestra's tribute concert to Neville Marriner. We've also assembled a slideshow of highlights from the late maestro's career.

Sunday, Jan. 22 marks a half-century since Minnesota Public Radio began bringing you classical music on the airwaves. Join Michael Barone and Mindy Ratner as we reflect on where we've been ... and look ahead to where we're going.

Saturday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m., join host Alison Young for a live broadcast of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in concert at the Ordway Music Theater in downtown St. Paul, Minn. Artistic partner Pekka Kuusisto joins the SPCO for performance of Fritz Kreisler's Violin Concerto in C (in the style of Vivaldi), among other works.

On Friday, Oct. 7, starting at 11 a.m., join host Alison Young for a broadcast of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in concert, live from the Ordway Music Theater in downtown St. Paul, Minn. MacArthur Fellow and SPCO Artistic Partner Jeremy Denk leads from the keyboard on Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23, and he joins SPCO violists for two chamber works and a Franz Schubert's Second Symphony.

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) announced today that violinist Francisco Fullana has been named the orchestra's newest principal violin. 'One of my long-term goals has always been to play chamber music at the highest level with people that inspire me,' Fullana says.

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra opens its season this week. Join Classical MPR host Alison Young on Saturday, Sept. 10, starting at 8 p.m., for the live broadcast of the SPCO's season-opening concert, titled 'Patricia Kopatchinskaja Plays Prokofiev.'

After taking a summer break, the SPCO Spotlight returns to Classical MPR on Fridays at 11 a.m. Each week, we'll present a work performed by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, recorded in concert at the Ordway or in other venues in Minnesota.

The NFL isn't the only season opener this week. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's 2016-17 season opens this Friday, Aug. 9, and we are pre-gaming all week on Morning Glories. Listen every weekday at 10 a.m., as we feature recordings of the SPCO.

On Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m., a trio of musicians from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra will perform at the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair; the performance will be broadcast live, and Lynne Warfel hosts. Before the broadcast, cellist Sarah Lewis explains how the group came together, and she shares her thoughts about performing at the State Fair.

Music directors at American symphony orchestras make an average of $600,000. Could orchestras do without them? Some ensembles, especially chamber orchestras, are making that choice.