SOMMERFEST
ANDREW LITTON LEADS THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA IN TWO SOMMERFEST PROGRAMS,
July 28 and 29

André Watts performs MacDowell Piano Concerto No. 2; William Wolfram plays Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 3

Litton conducts beloved Strauss waltz program

Minnesota Orchestra musicians, joined by Litton, also perform a Sunday afternoon
chamber concert in Orchestra Hall, July 30

This summer Andrew Litton bids a fond farewell to the Minnesota Orchestra’s Sommerfest as he concludes his 15-year tenure as the festival’s artistic director—the longest span of leadership in the history of Sommerfest. In the first of two weekends of Sommerfest concerts led by Litton, the Minnesota Orchestra performs three unique programs, showcasing Litton twice on the conductor’s podium and once at the piano.

First, on Friday, July 28, Grammy Award-winning pianist André Watts returns to the Orchestra Hall stage to perform MacDowell’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Also on the program are two jewels from Tchaikovsky: a suite of music from Sleeping Beauty and the composer’s Third Symphony.

On Saturday, July 29, Litton conducts a wide array of Johann Strauss’ waltzes and polkas for orchestra, including On the Beautiful Blue Danube, in a concert tradition beloved by Sommerfest fans. At the center of the program, another Sommerfest favorite, pianist William Wolfram, performs Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

Then, on the afternoon of Sunday, July 30, members of the Minnesota Orchestra perform a chamber music concert including music by Francis Poulenc, Anton Arensky and Richard Strauss, with Litton on the piano. This program also includes music from the films of Italian director Federico Fellini by composer Nino Rota.

All three concerts are held at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis. Andrew Litton and André Watts occurs on Friday, July 28, at 8 p.m., with tickets priced from $30 to $70; The Danube Calls: An Evening of Waltzes occurs on Saturday, July 29, at 8 p.m., with tickets priced from $30 to $70; and Stars Step Forward: Chamber Music with Andrew Litton takes place on Sunday, July 30, at 4 p.m., with tickets priced at $30. Tickets are available at minnesotaorchestra.org and by phone at 612-371-5656.