Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra inspires in Minnesota

By Phillip Nones, 08 October 2016

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“the Menuetto that followed combined high spirits with razor-sharp precision playing”

Reviewed at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts: Concert Hall, Saint Paul on 8 October 2016

Schumann, Märchenbilder for viola and piano, Op.113

Mozart, Piano Concerto no. 23 in A major, K488

Kurtág, Hommage à Robert Schumann, Op.15d

Schubert, Symphony no. 2 in B flat major, D.125

Maiya Papach, Viola

Jeremy Denk, Piano

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

Alexander Fiterstein, Clarinet

Hyobi Sim, Viola

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

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

Jeremy Denk surveys works by female composers in Oberlin

Sam Jacobson, 30th November

Jeremy Denk opens his recital with an intricately curated assortment of works by female composers, past and present.

***11

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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.

Joyous Schubert: Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra inspires in Minnesota