In this 24-25 season, the Minnesota Orchestra celebrates 50 years at Orchestra Hall. Music Director Stanislaw Skrowaczewski’s vision for the Orchestra, known then as the Minneapolis Symphony, was to have its own home with superb acoustics. The iconic hall with its signature cubes is a beacon in d...

Horn player Ellen Dinwiddie Smith shares her story of performing in the Minnesota Orchestra since 1993 when she and her husband, fellow Juilliard and Curtis Institute alum Mark Russell Smith moved to Minnesota to make it their home. Mark is the Artistic Director of the Greater Twin Cities Youth S...

In the State of Hockey, many Minnesota Orchestra musicians are hardcore about their winter sport. Cellist Katja Linfield skates for the Ravens in the Women’s Hockey Association of Minnesota (WHAM). Principal Timpani Erich Rieppel, Cellist Silver Ainomäe and Bassist Dave Williamson play pickup gam...

First violin Sarah Grimes grew up in the Twin Cities and with the support of her musical family, at an early age, Sarah learned how to perform in front of and make a connection with her audience. Through the Orchestra's education and community outreach programs, Sarah feels a responsibility to gi...

YourClassical Minnesota Public Radio's Melissa Ousley visited Minnesota Orchestra Music Director Thomas Søndergård in his native Denmark to explore some of the most important places in his life.

Composer Carlos Simon and Librettist and spoken word artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph arrive in Minneapolis for an early reading of brea(d)th. Ahead of its world premiere, the creative partners discuss the vision for this new work commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra. It is a moving, yearning, admon...

While preparing for his upcoming performance of Wynton Marsalis' Tuba Concerto, Minnesota Orchestra Principal Tuba Steven Campbell discusses the tuba's starring and supporting roles in the brass section of the Orchestra and what it takes to play this mammoth instrument.

The iconic cubes of Orchestra Hall are a testament to the science and art of acoustic design. Built in 1974, the quirky geometric layout of the cubes contributes to the nationally recognized, superb sound of the space. Hanna Landrum narrates with commentary from Sound Space Vision's Robert Essert...

University of Minnesota Director of Archives and Special Collections Kris Kiesling shows violinist Michael Sutton around the renowned Elmer L. Andersen Library’s archives. The library houses nearly 600 boxes containing hundreds of thousands of Minnesota Orchestra items including bookkeeping, pres...

El Mesías weaves together Handel's Messiah and Christmas Cantata Navidad Nuestra, featuring the Border CrosSing choral ensemble led by Ahmed Anzaldúa. Learn how Anzaldúa and Border CrosSing conceived of this special work and brought forth a unique tradition!

Border CrosSing, founded by Ahmed Anzaldúa, shares Latin culture by integrating historically segregated audiences and musicians through its choral music programs. Get to know this Twin Cities-based choral ensemble.

Concert Piano Technician Mika'ele Toia masterfully cares for the Steinway Ds at Orchestra Hall, preparing the instruments for the international artists who come to perform.

Minnesota Orchestra Fellows Esther Seitz and Lovrick Gary experience life as members of the Orchestra through performances on stage and in communities. Designed to give musicians of color opportunities for mentorship and to prepare them for auditions leading to a full-time tenure track position, ...

Osmo Vänksä reflects on his 19-year tenure as Music Director of the Minnesota Orchestra. Under Vänskä's leadership, the Minnesota Orchestra became known for its award-winning recordings and tours to places like Cuba and South Africa, establishing collaborations with local artists and musicians. D...

The Sphinx Virtuosi features 18 of the nation’s finest Black and Latinx classical musicians. It is the premiere ensemble of the Sphinx Organization whose mission is to transform lives through the power of diversity in the arts.

Now in its 20th year, the annual Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute brings seven talented emerging composers to Orchestra Hall for a week of seminars, rehearsals and a public performance of their music. Director Kevin Puts, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Music Director Osmo Vänskä and Direc...

Percussionists from the Minnesota Orchestra discuss the intricacies of their section. Percussionists Brian Mount, Jason Arkis and Kevin Watkins, have been performing together for more than twenty years.

Minnesota Orchestra musicians Aaron Janse, Rebecca Albers and Robert Anderson tell us all about their bows.

Karina Canellakis talks about her life in music and the special program she shares with the Minnesota Orchestra.

The Lunar New Year is a time for celebration, food, and family. Minnesota Orchestra musicians Fei Xie and Jenni Seo and guest artist Gao Hong discuss their favorite traditions to celebrate this special time of year.

Meet Gao Hong, a composer, educator, and world-renowned performer of the Chinese Pipa. The Minnesota Orchestra premiered her brand-new work, Guangxi Impression, as part of the Lunar New Year Concert. She gives a close-up view of the pear-shaped lute and shows off the versatility and expressive ca...

We explore the art of bell ringing with handbell ensemble Twin Cities Bronze.

Over nearly two decades, Osmo Vänskä and the Orchestra have amassed a sizeable, critically-acclaimed collection of recordings on the BIS label. How did the projects come about? And what have they meant in the life of the ensemble?