Nathalie Stutzmann, renowned as both a conductor and contralto soloist, makes her Minnesota Orchestra debut when she conducts concerts at Orchestra Hall on October 12, 13 and 14. She leads the Orchestra in Prokofiev’s lively Classical Symphony and Beethoven’s dynamic Fourth Symphony. At the center of the program is a performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto by clarinetist Bixby Kennedy, Grand Prize winner of the 2017 Friends of the Minnesota Orchestra competition.

During the second week of October, the Minnesota Orchestra celebrates its 7,000-plus Guaranty Fund donors. This week's concert performances are dedicated to all whose generous contributions ensure that the Minnesota Orchestra can continue to bring incredible music experiences to our community.

The Minnesota Orchestra concerts are performed at the ensemble’s home venue in downtown Minneapolis, Orchestra Hall, on Thursday, October 12, at 11 a.m., Friday, October 13, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 8 p.m., with ticket prices ranging from $25 to $96. Tickets are available online at minnesotaorchestra.org and by phone at 612-371-5656. For further purchasing details, refer to the section at the conclusion of this press release.

Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor

Nathalie Stutzmann is considered one of the most outstanding musical personalities of our time, with parallel careers as both a contralto and a conductor. She is principal guest conductor of RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, associate artist of the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, and has an exclusive contract with Warner Classics/Erato as a singer and conductor. Her 2017-18 guest conducting highlights include debuts with Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, and at the Choregies d’Orange Festival; return visits to NSO Washington, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Göteborgs Symfoniker and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; and varied projects with São Paulo State Symphony and RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. More: nathaliestutzmann.com, askonasholt.co.uk.

Bixby Kennedy, clarinet

Bixby Kennedy is currently a fellow of Ensemble Connect with which he performs at Carnegie Hall and Juilliard. He is a teaching artist in the public schools and presents community engagement concerts throughout New York City. He has performed as soloist with the Houston Symphony, Bloomington Sinfionetta and Indiana University Symphony. Additionally, he has garnered prizes from ECSO, Hellam, Ima Hogg, Boston Woodwind Society and Indiana University competitions. As a chamber musician, he has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe making appearances at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, Music from Angel Fire and Caramoor. He often performs classical repertoire throughout the U.S. on period and replica instruments.

Musical delight from Prokofiev, Mozart and Beethoven

Doffing his hat to Haydn in his Classical Symphony, Prokofiev mixes classical forms with modern harmonies.

Mozart’s beloved Clarinet Concerto was the last major work he completed before his death at age 35. It calls for a small orchestra with a limited number of wind instruments, allowing the soloist and the orchestra to interact more intimately, more akin to chamber music than a typical grand concerto.

From deep shade, Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony emerges, powerful and athletic, into bright daylight. The Adagio is an expansive, rapt song. A blustery third movement goes twice through the scherzo-trio-scherzo cycle, and the finale is a comedy worthy of Beethoven’s erstwhile mentor, Haydn.

Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concerts: Guarantors’ Week
BEETHOVEN AND PROKOFIEV

Thursday, October 12, 2017, 11 a.m. (Coffee Concert) / Orchestra Hall
Friday, October 13, 2017, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall
Saturday, October 14, 2017, 8 p.m. / Orchestra Hall

Minnesota Orchestra
Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor
Bixby Kennedy, clarinet

PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 1
MOZART Clarinet Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4

Tickets: $25 to $96

OH+ Events
Free Concert Preview with Phillip Gainsley in the Auditorium on Thursday, October 12, at 10:15 a.m., and in the Mezzanine on both Friday, October 13, and Saturday, October 14, at 7:15 p.m.