James Ehnes and Beethoven’s Seventh
Fri Jun 16 — Sat Jun 17, 2023
Orchestra Hall
A season of grand orchestral endeavors comes to a close with the remarkable Sir Andrew Davis on the podium and one of Minnesota Orchestra’s dearest friends, violinist James Ehnes, playing the heartbreakingly beautiful Violin Concerto by Alban Berg. Also at the heart of the program is an imaginative work by Chen Yi that shares musical traditions from the Guangxi Zhuang region of China. Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony is the perfect piece to bring this fantastic season to its final notes with abounding energy and showstopping orchestral force.
A Few Things To Know
- James Ehnes was recognized as Gramophone’s Classical Artist of the Year in 2021 and is the recipient of two Grammy Awards.
- Alban Berg's Violin Concerto was premiered by violinist Louis Krasner in 1936—Krasner served as the then-Minneapolis Symphony's concertmaster from 1944-1949. MNOrch staffer Michael Divino has a personal story about this, which you can read in the latest installment of "Our Picks."
- Sir Andrew Davis recently celebrated 50 years of partnership with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, having served as both conductor laureate and chief conductor; he is now the music director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
- Beethoven, who was notoriously self-critical, admitted that the Seventh Symphony was one of his own personal favorites, calling it “one of the happiest products of my poor talents.”
- “Duo Ye is a form of age-old traditional song and dance of the Dong minority in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, in which people stand in a circle with a bonfire in the center, and dance with slow steps towards one direction, while singing a short phrase,” explained Chen Yi, in a program note about her composition, Duo Ye.
Program
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BEETHOVEN
Egmont Overture
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Beethoven’s music for the play Egmont, centered on the Dutch freedom fighter Count Lamoral van Egmont, begins solemnly, proceeds into an allegro section of high drama and ends with the joy of Egmont’s victory.
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BERG
Violin Concerto
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Berg poured his feelings for the young actress Manon Gropius—and his grief over her death—into this remarkable concerto, notable for its melding of 20th-century serialism with lyricism, folk music and a Bach chorale. The first movement offers a portrait of carefree Manon, while the second brings the catastrophe that kills her; the music comes to terms with that loss as she achieves transfiguration in the close.
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CHEN
Duo Ye for Chamber Orchestra
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Duo Ye is based on a traditional song and dance performed by the Dong minority of China’s Guangxi province. Music of high energy, it draws on melodies and techniques from Chinese opera, folk songs and percussion ensembles.
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BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 7
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Beethoven’s lively Seventh Symphony constructs a series of astonishing musical moments from short, simple figures. The second movement, based on a repeating rhythm, has been an audience favorite since its premiere two centuries ago.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis
conductor
James Ehnes
violin
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. This fall, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård begins his tenure as music director.
Across a career spanning more than 40 years, English conductor Sir Andrew Davis has been the musical and artistic leader at several of the world’s most distinguished opera and symphonic institutions including Lyric Opera of Chicago, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Toronto Symphony. In addition, he holds the honorary title of conductor emeritus from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Canadian violinist James Ehnes has established himself as one of the most sought-after violinists on the international stage. Gifted with a rare combination of stunning virtuosity, serene lyricism and an unfaltering musicality, he has performed with many top ensembles including the Boston, Chicago, London, NHK and Vienna symphonies; the Los Angeles and New York philharmonics; and the Cleveland, Philadelphia and DSO Berlin orchestras. This season he serves as the National Arts Centre of Canada’s artist in residence, performs with orchestras from London and Berlin to Seattle and Toronto, and tours the U.S. with the Ehnes Quartet.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
Pre-Concert Interview
When: Fri June 16, 7:15pm | Sat June 17, 7:15pm
Where: N. Bud Grossman Mezzanine
Join host Phillip Gainsley, conductor Sir Andrew Davis, and soloist James Ehnes in a conversation about today's concert program and more.
Know Before You Go
An engaging performance awaits, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Make this visit your own with food and activity options. Browse these helpful tips, and when your concert date arrives, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Directions & Parking
All the information you need to know for getting to and from Orchestra Hall. Parking is just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.
Pre-order Beverages
Skip the lines at the bar! Pre-order your intermission beverage via the MN Orch App when you arrive at Orchestra Hall.
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
With this concert we honor the memory of C. Curtis Dunnavan
Sponsored by
Co-sponsored by
Dr. Stanley M. and Luella G. Goldberg
Cynthia and Jay Ihlenfeld
