Bach's Brandenburgs shine in the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's holiday musical offering

By Phillip Nones, 10 December 2017

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“this is music that is fundamentally soul-satisfying”

Reviewed at Bethel University: Benson Great Hall, Arden Hills on 10 December 2017

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 3 in G major, BWV1048

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 6 in B flat major, BWV1051

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 1 in F major, BWV1046

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D major, BWV1050

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto no. 4 in G major, BWV1049

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

Fresh and vital performances from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

Phillip Nones, 30th March

In a vibrant Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra program, two repertoire staples were paired with an early Mendelssohn symphony that deserves to be better-known.

****1

Jonathan Biss and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra explore Beethoven

Phillip Nones, 17th March

Jonathan Biss and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra explore Beethoven from two different angles – the early 19th and 21st centuries.

****1

A passionate Beach Piano Quintet

Phillip Nones, 18th March

The musically meaty Piano Quintet of Amy Beach was the centerpiece of a varied program of works by women composers.

****1

Creation on the quick: masterpieces composed in a hurry from the Saint Paul CO

Phillip Nones, 1st October

Delivering winsome interpretations along with precision ensemble, the "conductorless" SPCO presents two youthful Schubert and Britten masterpieces that were created by their composers in mere days.

****1

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra inspires in Minnesota

Phillip Nones, 8th October

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra delivers a thrilling account of Schubert's Second Symphony, while pianist Jeremy Denk inspires in Mozart and chamber works by Schumann and Kurtág.

****1

Turangalîla underwhelms at the Southbank’s Multitudes festival

Roy Westbrook, 23rd April

Serious music ill-matched by filmic limitations as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra tackles Messiaen’s epic “symphony” as part of the Southbank’s cross-genre festival.

**111

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Phillip Nones

Phillip Nones studied piano from age six, also playing percussion in educational and civic groups before moving to a rural area of the USA in 1990, where performance opportunities were few. Recently he has started performing again, participating in “side-by-side” orchestra performances and playing percussion in the World Doctors' Orchestra. His personal collection of music includes over 5,000 classical albums in all formats (CDs, LPs, 78s), plus downloads. In his professional life, he heads up a marketing communications firm in the state of Maryland. He blogs about the French composer Florent Schmitt here.