2011-12 Season Calendar Special Presentation BEN FOLDS WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Saturday, September 17, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Ben Folds, piano and vocals Singer-songwriter Ben Folds brings his singularly subversive rock to Orchestra Hall in a follow-up to his sold-out debut with Minnesota Orchestra in October 2009. Backed by orchestrations that highlight his memorable melodies and irony-laced lyrics, Folds will perform his top hits, including “You Don’t Know Me,” “Kylie from Connecticut,” “Cologne,” “Smoke,” “Fred Jones” and “Evaporated.” Principal Conductor of Pops and Presentations Sarah Hicks leads the program. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts VÄNSKÄ OPENS THE SEASON: BOLÉRO Thursday, September 29, 2011, 7:30 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, September 30, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, October 1, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Greg Paulus, trumpet Michael Lewis, saxophone; Bryan Nichols, keyboards; Adam Linz , bass; JT Bates, drums ANTHEIL A Jazz Symphony S.PAULUS/G. PAULUS TimePiece for Jazz Soloists and Orchestra [World Premiere] ADAMS Fearful Symmetries RAVEL Boléro _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Piper Jaffray Jazz at Orchestra Hall JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS A 50th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Sunday, October 2, 2011, 7 p.m. / Orchestra Hall The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra—hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “the greatest large jazz ensemble working today”—is composed of 15 musicians under the leadership of Pulitzer Prize-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. In this special visit to Orchestra Hall, the ensemble celebrates Marsalis’ upcoming 50th birthday, performing jazz classics as well as new works. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.]

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts VÄNSKÄ CONDUCTS: A HERO’S LIFE Thursday, October 6, 2011, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, October 8, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Simone Dinnerstein, piano MILHAUD La Création du monde (The Creation of the World) RAVEL Piano Concerto in G major STRAUSS Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life) _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Common Chords The Minnesota Orchestra is expanding its presence in Greater Minnesota with the launch of a broad multi-year initiative that will create one-of-a-kind collaborations between the Orchestra and communities around the state. Called Common Chords, the initiative establishes partnerships between the Orchestra and participating cities that will culminate in a celebratory festival week featuring performances and activities that reflect the interests, diversity and heritage of each community. Launched with generous support from The Mellon Foundation, Common Chords will debut in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, October 10-15, 2011. The Orchestra will partner with different Common Chords communities each season. A complete schedule of events in Grand Rapid is available at www.minnesotaorchestra.org/commonchords, but following is a listing of the full Orchestra performances that are part of the festival week. COMMON CHORDS YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT Friday, October 14, 2011, 12:45 p.m. / Reif Center, Grand Rapids, Minnesota Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor SMITH/Skrowaczewski The Star-Spangled Banner COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man IVES/Schuman Variations on America HEITZEG Blue Liberty BADELT Medley from Pirates of the Caribbean DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9, From the New World III. Molto vivace IV. Allegro con fuoco SOUSA Stars and Stripes Forever ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON CHORDS INSIDE THE CLASSICS CONCERT Friday, October 14, 2011, 7:30 p.m. / Reif Center, Grand Rapids, Minnesota Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Sam Bergman, host

COPLAND Appalachian Spring ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ COMMON CHORDS FAMILY CONCERT Saturday, October 15, 2011, 2 p.m. / Reif Center, Grand Rapids, Minnesota Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor NATIONAL ANTHEM The Star-Spangled Banner COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man IVES/orch. Schuman Variations on America HEITZEG Blue Liberty GROFĖ Mississippi Suite WILLIAMS Star Wars, Suite for Orchestra WARD/arr. Dragon America the Beautiful BERNSTEIN Overture to Candide DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9 in E minor, From the New World III. Molto vivace IV. Allegro con fuoco SOUSA Stars and Stripes Forever ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON CHORDS CLASSICAL CONCERT Saturday, October 15, 2011, 7:30 p.m. / Reif Center, Grand Rapids, Minnesota Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor MOZART Overture to The Magic Flute RAVEL Suite of Five Pieces from Mother Goose COPLAND Four Dance Episodes, from Rodeo RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ COMMON CHORDS FAMILY CONCERT Saturday, October 15, 2011, 2 p.m. / Reif Center, Grand Rapids, Minnesota Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor SMITH/Skrowaczewski The Star-Spangled Banner COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man IVES/Schuman Variations on America HEITZEG Blue Liberty GROFÉ Mississippi Suite WILLIAMS Star Wars, Suite for Orchestra (selection) WARD/Dragon America the Beautiful BERNSTEIN Overture to Candide DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9, From the New World III. Molto vivace IV. Allegro con fuoco SOUSA Stars and Stripes Forever

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts NADJA RETURNS: PIAZZOLLA AND COPLAND Thursday, October 20, 2011, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, October 21, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, October 22, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Robert Spano, conductor Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin FALLA Suite No. 2 from The Three-Cornered Hat PIAZZOLLA The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires COPLAND Symphony No. 3 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Tour Concert MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA AT CARNEGIE HALL Thursday, October 27, 2011, 8 p.m. / Carnegie Hall, New York Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Stephen Hough, piano Karin Wolverton , soprano Jeffrey Madison, baritone TCHAIKOVSKY Overture to The Voyevoda TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1 NIELSEN Symphony No. 3, Sinfonia espansiva _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Piper Jaffray Jazz at Orchestra Hall AN EVENING WITH HERBIE HANCOCK SOLO PIANO Friday, October 28, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Herbie Hancock, solo piano An icon of modern music, Herbie Hancock has maintained an unmistakably clear voice as both pianist and composer—while creating music that transcends boundaries and genres. During his 50-year career, he has earned 14 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award, along with countless other major distinctions. Few artists in the music industry have had more influence on jazz, R&B and modern rock than this legendary artist, performing here in a rare solo piano engagement. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.] _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA PLUS MEL BROOKS’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN A HALLOWEEN DOUBLE FEATURE! Saturday, October 29, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall

Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor The score to James Whale’s 1935 classic horror film, Bride of Frankenstein, is performed live by the Minnesota Orchestra as the full-length feature is screened onstage. As a bonus, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein will be screened following intermission (without orchestra). Costumes welcome! _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Special Presentation KINGS OF SALSA Roclan Gonzalez Chavez, artistic director and choreographer Cuba Ashire, band Sunday, October 30, 2011, 7 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Featuring the best of Havana’s cool street salsa and hip-hop scene, seamlessly mixed with traditional Afro-Caribbean moves, world class contemporary dance and the Cuban classics (mambo, rumba, and cha-cha), this stunning new show pays homage to the great Cuban performers and contemporary dance styles popular in Cuba today. Choreographed by Roclan Gonzalez Chavez, this show presents the unique talents of some of the island’s best dancers picked from the cream of Cuba’s top dance companies—all backed by the spectacular nine-piece band, Cuba Ashire. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.] _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concert A CARNEGIE HALL REPRISE: HOUGH PLAYS TCHAIKOVSKY Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 7:30 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Stephen Hough, piano Karin Wolverton , soprano Jeffrey Madison, baritone TCHAIKOVSKY Overture to The Voyevoda TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1 NIELSEN Symphony No. 3, Sinfonia espansiva _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts MIDORI PLAYS SIBELIUS Thursday, November 3, 2011, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, November 4, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, November 5, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Midori , violin BRITTEN Four Sea Interludes, from Peter Grimes SIBELIUS Violin Concerto DEBUSSY Clair de lune L’Îsle joyeuse

La Mer _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Young People’s Concerts THE TIN FOREST CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERTS Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Thursday, November 10, 2011, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Mayor R.T. Rybak, narrator David Kamminga, narrator WEBER Overture to Der Freischütz STRAVINSKY Greeting Prelude HEITZEG The Tin Forest R.T. Rybak, narrator BRITTEN The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra David Kamminga, narrator ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Inside the Classics SHOSTAKOVICH: SYMPHONY NO. 5 Friday, November 11, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, November 12, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Sam Bergman, host SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season ROSANNE CASH WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Friday, November 18, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Rosanne Cash, vocals Drawing on country, rock and pop styles, Rosanne Cash’s music is noted for its emotional acuity, rich, resonant imagery and unsparing honesty. In her first-ever symphonic performance, Cash—who is the daughter of singer Johnny Cash—presents top songs she has composed, selections from her new CD The List and personal stories from a life in music that's very much her own. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season YESTERDAY ONCE MORE: A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF THE CARPENTERS WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA

Saturday, November 19, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Sunday, November 20, 2011, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Joanna Jahn, John Trones, Jan Burleigh-Bentz, vocalists David Lohman, piano and vocals Sarah Hicks and the Minnesota Orchestra pay homage to the music of The Carpenters, the top-selling musical act of the 1970s, performing a collection of their hits, including “Yesterday Once More,” “Close To You,” “A Song for You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Rainy Days and Mondays,” to name just a few. Performed by talented vocalists, the music is enhanced with anecdotes and a behind-the-scenes look at the brother-sister duo’s chart-topping success. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts HANSEL AND GRETEL CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERTS Friday, November 25, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, November 26, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Sunday, November 27, 2011, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Christina Baldwin , mezzo (Hansel) Jennifer Baldwin Peden, soprano (Gretel) Lola Watson, soprano (Mother) Vera Mariner , soprano (Witch) Jeffrey Madison, baritone (Father) Vicki Fingalson, soprano (Sleep Fairy/Dew Fairy) Minnesota Boychoir In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre Robert Neu, stage director HUMPERDINCK Hansel and Gretel [fully-staged production] The Minnesota Orchestra celebrates the centennial of its Young People’s Concert series—and marks the Thanksgiving weekend—with performances of the classic young people’s opera Hansel and Gretel. This beloved work is fully staged with colorful sets and costumes, as well as awe-inspiring puppetry by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Young People’s Concerts HANSEL AND GRETEL Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Thursday, December 1, 2011, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, December 2, 2011, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Jennifer Baldwin Peden, soprano (Gretel) Christina Baldwin , mezzo (Hansel) Vera Mariner , soprano (Witch) Minnesota Boychoir

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre Robert Neu, stage director HUMPERDINCK Hansel and Gretel (one hour version) The Minnesota Orchestra shares Hansel and Gretel with school-age children in this special one-hour version of the opera. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season CHRIS BOTTI IN CONCERT Friday, December 2, 2011, 8 p.m./ Orchestra Hall Trumpeter-composer Chris Botti has crafted a genre all his own, spanning the worlds of contemporary jazz and pop music. His collaborations with notables including Frank Sinatra, Sting, Paul Simon and Andrea Bocelli have made his repertoire richer—from standard pop and Broadway music to well-loved classics. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.] _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season TIME FOR THREE WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Saturday, December 3, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Time for Three, musical ensemble Zachary De Pue, violin; Nicolas Kendall, violin; Ranaan Meyer, double bass The groundbreaking trio Time for Three transcends traditional classification as it explores many genres of the music world: classical, country, gypsy, jazz and more. Noted for brilliant improvisations as well as for composing and arranging, the group brings extra dazzle to this concert—a special mix of holiday favorites. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Holiday Concerts HANDEL’S MESSIAH Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 7:30 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, December 10, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Sunday, December 11, 2011, 7 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Nicholas Kraemer, conductor Suzie LeBlanc, soprano Robin Blaze, countertenor Richard Croft , tenor Andrew Foster-Williams, bass Minnesota Chorale HANDEL Messiah _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season JINGLE BELL DOC

WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Friday, December 9, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Sunday, December 11, 2011, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Doc Severinsen, conductor and trumpet Vanessa Thomas, vocals Minnesota Chorale Twin Cities Bronze, handbell ensemble Pops Conductor Laureate Doc Severinsen returns for his traditional holiday show, a mainstay of the Orchestra’s Yuletide season. Doc is joined by the Minnesota Chorale and special guests in a concert of trumpet solos, holiday favorites and big-band swing. Audiences can expect to hear such standards as Sleigh Ride, Winter Wonderland and the Hallelujah Chorus, among others. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Holiday Concert TONIC SOL-FA HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Monday, December 12, 2011, 7:30 p.m. / Orchestra Hall With just four voices and a tambourine, this a cappella quartet captures the magic of the season in crisp, clear harmony—with fresh arrangements of holiday favorites. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Holiday Concert JIM BRICKMAN WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 7:30 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Jim Brickman , piano Ben Utecht, vocals America’s romantic piano sensation, Jim Brickman, returns for a heartwarming performance of traditional hymns and contemporary carols. Special guest: local singer (and former Indianapolis Colts player) Ben Utecht. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Holiday Concert CELTIC WOMAN: A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Friday, December 16, 2011, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall As seen on Celtic Woman’s PBS television special, A Christmas Celebration showcases the enormously popular all-female ensemble performing beloved holiday songs. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Special Holiday Concerts HOSANNA LUTHERAN CHURCH 2011 CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

Friday, December 16, 2011, 7 p.m. / Hosanna Lutheran Church, Lakeville Saturday, December 17, 2011, 7:30 p.m. / Hosanna Lutheran Church, Lakeville Sunday, December 18, 2011, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. / Hosanna Lutheran Church, Lakeville Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor The sounds of the season emanate from Lakeville’s Hosanna Lutheran Church in a program of holiday favorites with the Minnesota Orchestra. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Holiday Concerts A SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS Saturday, December 17, 2011, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Sunday, December 18, 2011, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Sarah Hicks conducts the Minnesota Orchestra in a very special Yuletide celebration—a winter bouquet of Scandinavia’s most beautiful Christmas songs, plus lovely seasonal selections by Schubert, Sibelius, Humperdinck and Grieg. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concert OSMO VÄNSKÄ CONDUCTS FUTURE CLASSICS Friday, January 6, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Music Director Osmo Vänskä conducts a program that celebrates new works by some of the nation’s brightest emerging composers. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Sunday, January 8, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocals Singer-actor Brian Stokes Mitchell will perform an evening of Broadway standards with the Minnesota Orchestra under the baton of Principal Conductor of Pops and Presentations Sarah Hicks. Look for classic show tunes by the performer The New York Times dubbed “The Last Leading Man.” _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts BRAVO BRAHMS! EHNES PLAYS THE VIOLIN CONCERTO

Thursday, January 12, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, January 14, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor James Ehnes, violin BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Haydn Violin Concerto Symphony No. 3 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concert BRAVO BRAHMS! SERKIN AND PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1 Friday, January 13, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Peter Serkin, piano BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 1 Serenade No. 1 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts BRAVO BRAHMS! SERKIN AND PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2 Thursday, January 19, 2012, 7:30 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, January 21, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Peter Serkin, piano BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2 Symphony No. 1 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concert BRAVO BRAHMS! SERENADE AND SONG Friday, January 20, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Kathy Saltzman Romey, conductor (choral selections) Minnesota Chorale BRAHMS Hungarian Dances Nänie Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny)

Serenade No. 2 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS Sunday, January 22, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Steeped in centuries-old tradition, the Golden Dragon Acrobats perform daring and precarious acts of agility and grace. Impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music, and theatrical techniques in presenting a show of breathtaking skill. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this program.] _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Young People’s Concerts WORLD MUSIC WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Thursday, January 26, 2012, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Robin Scott, violin Samir Chatterjee, tabla GERSHWIN Cuban Overture RAVEL Boléro MAXWELL DAVIES An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise (excerpt) SHIRISH KORDE Svara-Yantra A musical trip around the globe—through symphonic works that evoke the sights and sounds of cultures around the world. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Inside the Classics ADAMS: MY FATHER KNEW CHARLES IVES Friday, January 27, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, January 28, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Sam Bergman, host ADAMS My Father Knew Charles Ives _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Target Free Family Concert WORLD MUSIC WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Saturday, January 28, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Robin Scott, violin Samir Chatterjee, tabla

GERSHWIN Cuban Overture RAVEL Boléro MAXWELL DAVIES An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise (excerpt) SHIRISH KORDE Svara-Yantra A musical trip around the globe—through symphonic works that evoke the sights and sounds of cultures around the world. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Young People’s Concerts PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Thursday, February 2, 2012, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor MUSSORGSKY/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition (excerpts) DEBUSSY/Matthews The Sunken Cathedral, from Preludes MAXWELL DAVIES Five Klee Pictures (excerpts) SCHULLER Seven Studies on Paintings by Paul Klee (excerpts) RESPIGHI Church Windows, movement 2: St. Michael, Archangel STRAVINSKY The Firebird (excerpts) ____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season WARNER BROS. STUDIOS PRESENTS BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA AND STARRING BUGS BUNNY CREATED AND CONDUCTED BY GEORGE DAUGHERTY Friday, February 3, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, February 4, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra First seen on Broadway in 1990, this show, conceived by Emmy Award-winner George Daugherty in partnership with Warner Bros. Studios, features classic Looney Tunes cartoons onscreen as their Wagner/Rossini/Strauss-inspired Carl Stalling scores are played live by the Orchestra. Such jewels as “What’s Opera, Doc?” “The Rabbit of Seville” and “Corny Concerto,” will be shown, among others. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Target Free Family Concert PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION Saturday, February 4, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor MUSSORGSKY/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition (excerpts) DEBUSSY/Matthews The Sunken Cathedral, from Preludes MAXWELL DAVIES Five Klee Pictures (excerpts)

SCHULLER Seven Studies on Paintings by Paul Klee (excerpts) RESPIGHI Church Windows, movement 2: St. Michael, Archangel STRAVINSKY The Firebird (excerpts) ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts ROSS, PROKOFIEV AND TCHAIKOVSKY Thursday, February 9, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, February 10, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, February 11, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra James Gaffigan, conductor Anthony Ross, cello MUSSORGSKY Dance of the Persian Maidens, from Khovanshchina PROKOFIEV Sinfonia concertante TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, Pathétique _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Chamber Music at MacPhail MOZART AND RAVEL Sunday, February 12, 2012, 7 p.m. / MacPhail Center for Music Musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra RAVEL Sonata for Violin and Violoncello MOZART Oboe Quartet in F major RAVEL String Quartet in F major _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts A RUSSIAN SPECTACULAR: PROKOFIEV AND SHOSTAKOVICH Thursday, February 16, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, February 17, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Andrew Litton , conductor Vadim Gluzman, violin PROKOFIEV Violin Concerto No. 2 SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 7, Leningrad _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Piper Jaffray Jazz at Orchestra Hall LIZZ WRIGHT AND KURT ELLING BE MY VALENTINE Saturday, February 18, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Lizz Wright , vocals

Kurt Elling , vocals Singer-songwriter Lizz Wright, last welcomed to Orchestra Hall in July 2010, is one of the jazz world’s most celebrated rising stars, moving freely between genres, from blues and gospel to folk, soul and R&B. Grammy Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling has been named Male Singer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association on a half dozen occasions in the past ten years. In this program, Wright and Elling first perform separately, then come together as a duo to celebrate the romance of the season. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.] _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts HOME AWAY FROM HOME A Convention Center Preview Saturday, February 18, 2012, 8 p.m. / Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 7:30 p.m. / Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor STRAUSS Don Juan RAVEL Mother Goose Suite BARBER Adagio for Strings ELGAR Enigma Variations The Orchestra offers a program in the Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium to give audiences a preview of the Orchestra’s “home away from home” in 2012-13, the year when Orchestra Hall will undergo a renovation (beginning in June 2012). _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts SCHUMANN’S PIANO CONCERTO Thursday, February 23, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Sunday, February 26, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Ingrid Fliter , piano ELGAR In the South SCHUMANN Piano Concerto WALTON Symphony No. 1 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Young People’s Concerts PETER AND THE WOLF Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Thursday, March 1, 2012, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Austin Frohmader, piano (YPSCA competition winner) Theatre de la Jeune Lune

LISZT Hungarian Rhapsody PROKOFIEV Peter and the Wolf ____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season BALLROOM WITH A TWIST WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA CONCEIVED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY DANCING WITH THE STA RS’ LOUIS VAN AMSTEL Friday, March 2, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor A brilliant new dance production conceived and choreographed by Dancing With the Stars’ Emmy-nominated Louis van Amstel (and highlighted by stunning costumes and great music), this performance features dancers from that show and So You Think You Can Dance, along with singers chosen from among American Idol finalists. __________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season SPRINGTIME IN PARIS WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Saturday, March 3, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Orchestra Hall is transformed into the City of Lights in this romantic concert produced by the Minnesota Orchestra. Concertgoers will experience Paris in a showcase of French music and composers, along with a salute to the artists who performed these classics. Expect to hear classical favorites like Can-Can from Orpheus in the Underworld, and Claire de lune, along with music from well-known French movies such as The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, in an evening of tango dancing, jazz, song and music galore. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Special Presentation THE CHIEFTAINS 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR WITH PADDY MOLONEY Sunday, March 4, 2012, 7 p.m. / Orchestra Hall The Chieftains return in celebration of their 50th anniversary as the musical ambassadors of Ireland. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Florida Tour Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 7:30 p.m. / Barbara Mann Auditorium, Fort Myers Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 8 p.m. / Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota Friday, March 9, 2012, 8 p.m. / Northland Performing Arts Center, Orlando Saturday, March 10, 2012, 8 p.m. / Arsht Center, Miami Sunday, March 11, 2012, 8 p.m. / Kravis Center, West Palm Beach Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Midori , violin

BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by Haydn SIBELIUS Violin Concerto BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts VÄNSKÄ CONDUCTS SIBELIUS Friday, March 16, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, March 17, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Christian Tetzlaff , violin SIBELIUS Symphony No. 4 SZYMANOWSKI Violin Concerto No. 1 KODÁLY Dances of Galánta _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season THE KING’S SINGERS Sunday, March 18, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall With a discography of more than 150 recordings, the King’s Singers have garnered awards and critical acclaim. Championing the work of both young and established composers, the ensemble pairs music with delightfully British wit in offering a variety of works from Gesualdo and György Ligeti to Michael Bublé. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.] _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Chamber Music at MacPhail SCHUBERT AND AHO Featuring Osmo Vänskä and musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra Sunday, March 18, 2012, 7 p.m. / MacPhail Center for Music AHO Trio for Clarinet, Viola and Piano SCHUBERT Octet for Winds and Strings _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts VARGA, HAYDN AND SCHUMANN Thursday, March 22, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, March 23, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, March 24, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Gilbert Varga , conductor MENDELSSOHN Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream HAYDN Symphony No. 52 SCHUMANN Symphony No. 3, Rhenish

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Young People’s Concerts AT THE BALLET Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Thursday, March 29, 2012, 10 a.m. & 11:35 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Minnesota Dance Theatre, dance ensemble PROKOFIEV The Death of Tybalt, from Suite No. 1, Romeo and Juliet STRAVINSKY Petrushka The Minnesota Orchestra is joined by Minnesota Dance Theatre for a fully staged production of Stravinsky’s ballet masterpiece Petrushka. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Inside the Classics GREENSTEIN: A MUSICAL MICRO-COMMISSION COMPOSING IN A NEW YORK MINUTE Friday, March 30, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, March 31, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor Sam Bergman, host Judd Greenstein, composer Collaborative art in its purest form—the Musical MicroCommission is a one-of-a-kind project that brings music lovers closer to the music than ever by engaging them in the process of commissioning a new symphonic work. Donations of all sizes played a role in bringing to life this brand new work by New York-based composer Judd Greenstein—and Greenstein himself will be present to talk about this exciting process. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Target Free Family Concert AT THE BALLET Saturday, March 31, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, April 14, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Minnesota Dance Theatre, dance ensemble PROKOFIEV The Death of Tybalt, from Suite No. 1, Romeo and Juliet STRAVINSKY Petrushka The Minnesota Orchestra is joined by Minnesota Dance Theatre for a fully staged production of Stravinsky’s ballet masterpiece Petrushka. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Piper Jaffray Jazz at Orchestra Hall A LOVE LETTER TO NEW ORLEANS

HOSTED BY SOLEDAD O’BRIEN featuring Irvin Mayfield and his Quintet with special guests Aaron Neville, Bill Summers and Jason Marsalis Friday, April 6, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Irvin Mayfield , trumpet Soledad O’Brien, host Artistic Director of Jazz Irvin Mayfield caps off the season with a tribute to the city of New Orleans, the heart and soul of his celebrated jazz sound, in conjunction with his release of both a new CD and book titled A Love Letter to New Orleans. Joining Mayfield on his nostalgic journey and narrating the show is television journalist Soledad O’Brien, who contributed the foreward to Mayfield’s book. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.] _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY Saturday, April 7, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Big Bad Voodoo Daddy puts a fresh spin on swing music that delights audiences around the globe—and has been chosen to perform private concerts for three U.S. Presidents. Founded and led by singer-songwriter-guitarist Scotty Morris, the band has been famous since its appearance in the 1996 film Swingers. Among the modern swing classics the group brings to Orchestra Hall: music from its latest CD, How Big Can You Get? A Tribute to Cab Calloway. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.] _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts VÄNSKÄ CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 7:30 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Thursday, April 12, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, April 13, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, April 14, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Jennifer Frautschi, violin GINASTERA Estancia STEPHENSON Violin Concerto [World Premiere] BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, Pastoral _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts SKROWACZEWSKI CONDUCTS BRUCKNER Thursday, April 19, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, April 20, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, conductor BRUCKNER Symphony No. 8 _____________________________________________________________________________________________

U.S. Bank Pops Season SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK: AFFIRMATIONS WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA Saturday, April 21, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Sarah Hicks, conductor This concert opens with the premiere of Affirmations, a newly composed collaboration for voices and symphony orchestra with music by William Banfield and lyrics by Sweet Honey in the Rock. The Minnesota Orchestra is one of four commissioning orchestras of this work, all of which premiere it during the 2011-12 season. The second half of the concert features Sweet Honey in the Rock performing the group’s traditional a cappella standards. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts DAPHNIS AND CHLOE Friday, April 27, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, April 28, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Sunday, April 29, 2012, 2 p.m. / College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minnesota* Minnesota Orchestra Mark Wigglesworth , conductor Basil Reeve, oboe Minnesota Chorale* BERKELEY Oboe Concerto RAVEL Daphnis and Chloe (complete) * Please note: the Minnesota Chorale does not perform on April 29. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts JÄRVI CONDUCTS RACHMANINOFF Thursday, May 3, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, May 4, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, May 5, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Kristjan Järvi, conductor Alisa Weilerstein, cello STRAVINSKY Symphony in Three Movements SHOSTAKOVICH Cello Concerto No. 1 RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Chamber Music at MacPhail BRAHMS AND VILLA-LOBOS Sunday, May 6, 2012, 7 p.m. / MacPhail Center for Music Featuring musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra

CANFIELD Maesta VILLA-LOBOS Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon BRAHMS Quartet No. 2 for Piano and Strings _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts ROMEO AND JULIET Thursday, May 10, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, May 11, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Carlo Rizzi, conductor Sarah Kwak, violin BORODIN Polovtsian Dances, from Prince Igor GLAZUNOV Violin Concerto PROKOFIEV Selections from Romeo and Juliet _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts VÄNSKÄ, SUDBIN AND MOZART Thursday, May 17, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, May 18, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, May 19, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Sunday, May 20, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Yevgeny Sudbin, piano PROKOFIEV Classical Symphony MOZART Piano Concerto No. 24 SIBELIUS Symphony No. 1 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Bank Pops Season PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND AND NEW ORLEANS JAZZ OR CHESTRA AN ORCHESTRA HALL COMMEMORATION CONCERT Saturday, May 26, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Orchestra Hall is soon to undergo a transformation—and to mark the occasion before temporarily closing the doors for renovations in June 2012, we’re throwing a traditional New Orleans funeral, complete with singing, dancing and a “second line” with audience participation. Heading the “Hall funeral” procession will be two unforgettable groups: the old-time jazz ensemble Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the modern New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, the latter led by Artistic Director of Jazz Irvin Mayfield. [Please note: the Minnesota Orchestra does not perform on this concert.] ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Target Free Family Concert PETER AND THE WOLF Saturday, June 3, 2012, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. / Orchestra Hall

Minnesota Orchestra Courtney Lewis, conductor Austin Frohmader, piano (YPSCA competition winner) Production created by Theatre de la Jeune Lune PROKOFIEV Peter and the Wolf ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts AN ORCHESTRA HALL CELEBRATION: DEBORAH VOIGT SINGS SALOME Thursday, June 7, 2012, 11 a.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, June 8, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Saturday, June 9, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Sunday, June 10, 2012, 2 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Deborah Voigt, soprano STRAUSS Dance of the Seven Veils and Final Scene from Salome MAHLER/Cooke Symphony No. 10 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts ORCHESTRA HALL SEASON FINALE: AN EVENING OF TRIBUTE AND SURPRISE Thursday, June 14, 2012, 7:30 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Friday, June 15, 2012, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall Minnesota Orchestra Osmo Vänskä, conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, conductor Andrew Litton , conductor Sarah Hicks, conductor Irvin Mayfield , trumpet Minnesota Chorale Program details to be announced. The past and future of Orchestra Hall are celebrated in this special program—the last to be presented in Orchestra Hall before the venue undergoes a renovation. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online, by phone or in person at the Minnesota Orchestra Box Office at 11th and Marquette in Minneapolis. For more information, call (612) 371-5656 or (800) 292-4141, or

visit minnesotaorchestra.org/subscribe.

All programs, artists, dates and times subject to change.

Delta Air Lines is the official airline of the Minnesota Orchestra’s 2011-12 season.

The Star Tribune, 830 WCCO-AM and 102.9 LiteFM are the Minnesota Orchestra’s media partners for the 2011-12 season.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the State’s general fund and its arts and cultural heritage fund

with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

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