Collection
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
This MPR Archive curation puts a focus on The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra through interviews, profiles, and glimpses into the performances of this esteemed local institution. MPR has a long history with SPCO, broadcasting concerts on My Classical, including national broadcasts via Performance Today and SymphonyCast.
35 Collection Items
- SPCO keyboardist Layton "Skip" James shares a story from long career playing harpsichord
Classical MPR’s John Birge sits down with Layton “Skip” James, as he retires from The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra after 41 years as keyboardist. James recalls a memorable night that didn't go exactly as planned. James was playing the 5th Brandenburg Concerto by Bach. It has a huge harpsichord solo, or cadenza. But James found himself in the spotlight in an unexpected way...
- Dr. Jon Hallberg shares that playing in a professional orchestra can cause health problems
All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Dr. Jon Hallberg, a physician in family medicine at the University of Minnesota, about health issues found in orchestral musicians. Hallberg travels with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as the tour physician on their European tour.
- Open Ears: Steven Copes on his favorite work as a listener, not a concertmaster
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concertmaster Steven Copes usually turns on the CD player in the car or when he's cooking a meal for friends at home. He's drawn to music that has a lot of rhythm, and artists with very distinctive voices, including blues artist Sun House.
- SPCO performs "degenerate" music from the Nazi era
MPR’s David Molpus interviews Bruce Coppock, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra president and managing director, about SPCO program highlighting "degenerate" music from the Nazi era.
- The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra musicians take cut as part of contract
Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer reports on musicians in The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra agreeing to ratify a contract which includes a 17% pay cut. That change comes in the first year of a new four-year contract.
- Gil Shaham discusses Korngold's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major
Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews violin virtuoso Gil Shaham, who will perform Korngold's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Shaham discusses Viennese composers, his instrument, and touring.
- Garrison Keillor writes opera "Mr. and Mrs. Olson"
MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews writer Garrison Keillor, about the writing libretto for the opera Mr. and Mrs. Olson. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and a star studded ensemble will present the world premiere of opera.
- Violin virtuoso Midori Gotō will play at SPCO
All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Midori Gotō, one of the world's most accomplished violinists. She says she is looking forward to performing Barber's violin concerto with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
- Tan Dun discusses classical music and China
All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson interviews Chinese American composer and conductor Tan Dun. He is in the Twin Cities to conduct The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in two performances of the Crouching Tiger Concerto.
- SPCO to premiere "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," a Handel piece that was missing for 300 years
MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews conductor Nicholas McGegan as he prepares The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra for their performance of George Frideric Handel's "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," a piece that had been lost and wasn't performed for more than 300 years.