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

By Phillip Nones, 01 October 2017

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“a breath of fresh air”

Reviewed at Bethel University: Benson Great Hall, Arden Hills on 1 October 2017

Mozart, Don Giovanni, K527: Excerpts arr. Triebensee for wind ensemble

Britten, Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge for string orchestra, Op.10

Schubert, Symphony no. 3 in D major, D.200

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

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

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

Concertos – for violin and for orchestra – from the Hallé

Peter Connors, 22nd March

Viktoria Mullova is a superb soloist in Brahms' Violin Concerto, while an orchestra full of soloists play Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra with Kahchun Wong presiding.

*****

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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.