A passionate Beach Piano Quintet

By Phillip Nones, 19 March 2018

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“the SPCO players brought the piece home with a soul-satisfying flourish”

Reviewed at Center for the Performing Arts, Saint Paul Academy & Summit School, Saint Paul on 18 March 2018

Boulanger, 3 Pieces for Cello and Piano

Boulanger, Nocturne, for violin and piano

Boulanger, D'un matin de printemps (version for flute and piano)

Whitehead, No stars, not even clouds

Beach, Quintet in F sharp minor for piano and strings, Op.67

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

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

Phillip Nones, 10th December

Continuing a decades-long holiday season tradition, the SPCO presents five of Bach's six Brandenburg Concerti in performances brimming with energy and élan.

****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

LA Phil celebrates the California spirit with Andrés Orozco-Estrada

Cameron Kelsall, 3rd May

The program features Maria Dueñas in Korngold's Violin Concerto and a moving tribute to LA native Michael Tilson Thomas

****1

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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.

A passionate Amy Beach Piano Quintet from members of the St Paul Chamber Orchestra