Minnesota

Review: Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony is the standout in Minnesota Orchestra's Pride concert

Published

3 months ago

June 20, 2024

Review: Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony is the standout in Minnesota Orchestra's Pride concert

Orchestra Hall is decked out for Pride.

At the Minnesota Orchestra’s home hall, they’re handing out buttons to assist others with your pronouns, presenting an exhibit on local LGBTQ musical groups, screening a documentary on local gay rights history, even offering a reading room full of literature in the upstairs lobby. Clearly, Minnesota’s largest arts organization is moving well beyond lip service to the cause of equality.

And music director Thomas Søndergård has chosen to conclude his first season on the job with the music of gay and lesbian composers. It proved a very satisfying program midday Thursday, introducing most of the audience to the evocative voice of early 20th-century Englishwoman Dame Ethel Smyth, delighting with the playfulness of Francis Poulenc and concluding with a very exciting interpretation of a Tchaikovsky symphony.

The entry point to the program was the windswept sea Smyth created for her 1906 opera, “The Wreckers.” The strings were lush and emotive as they sailed across surging waves of lithe celebration and discomfiting menace. Sounding something like Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from “Peter Grimes” 39 years before that work was written, it made me curious to experience Smyth’s opera in its entirety.

Pianist Francesco Piemontesi was slated to solo on Karol Szymanowski’s Fourth Symphony, but a Berlin bicycle accident last week left him with a broken collarbone. So Søndergård and the orchestra shifted gears and replaced their soloist with a duo, twin pianists Christina and Michelle Naughton, and brought another gay composer onto the program in Poulenc.

His Concerto for Two Pianos proved quite a brisk, lively conversation before morphing into a mesmerizing minor-key interlude, Michelle flamboyantly flowing up and down the keyboard before the two combined to create a peaceful dreamscape. The slow movement was full of rich orchestral colors, and the finale captured the composer at his most exuberant and the sisters’ chemistry at its more finely honed. Christina opened with a lightning-quick outburst of staccato notes, Michelle interjecting echoes of encouragement before her sister took flight on a jazz-flavored solo.

But the concert’s standout experience was Peter Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, delivered with nary a hint of the sentimentality and schmaltz that can too often afflict interpretations of the composer’s work. From the first notes of its gripping opening fanfare, there was a particularly admirable blend in the brass, a fascinating mix of forcefulness and subtlety. It introduced the idea that this would be a Fourth of drama, but without histrionics. Søndergård emphasized broadly ranging contrasts in mood and volume, the first movement’s lilting waltz remarkably quiet before the tumultuous strings almost drowned out the recurring fanfare with their full sound.

Each ensuing movement felt like further steps away from fate’s dark shadow, the sweeping main melody of the slow movement like a longed-for destination, the whispering plucked strings of the Scherzo a dance on tiptoes before the bright blast of the finale’s opening chords. But comforting quiet emerged even in that scintillating sprint of a movement.

If Søndergård is looking toward making Tchaikovsky a specialty of the house — this was the sixth of the composer’s works to find its way onto a program this season, including three of his symphonies — then this performance makes that a promising prospect.

Minnesota Orchestra

With: Conductor Thomas Søndergård and pianists Christina and Michelle Naughton

What: Works by Dame Ethel Smyth, Francis Poulenc and Peter Tchaikovsky

When: 8 p.m. Fri. and 7 p.m. Sat.

Where: Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.

Tickets: $25-$106, available at 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org

Rob Hubbard is a Twin Cities classical music writer. Reach him at wordhub@yahoo.com.

Source link

Minnesota

What channel is Michigan vs. Minnesota on today? Time, TV schedule for Week 5

Published

17 mins ago

September 28, 2024

Press Room

What channel is Michigan vs. Minnesota on today? Time, TV schedule for Week 5

The No. 12 Michigan Wolverines are set for their second Big Ten Conference matchup of the season as the Minnesota Golden Gophers visit Ann Arbor today for a noon kickoff.

After trailing by four points, a 63-yard rush by fifth-year running back Kalel Mullings was the key play that led the Wolverines to a 27-24 comeback victory over USC last week. Mullings led the team with 159 yards on 17 carries and had two touchdowns.

In his first start at quarterback, junior Alex Orji went 7-for-12 passing for a paltry 32 yards against the Trojans, and was sacked twice. He rushed for 43 yards on 13 carries.

The Wolverines are currently on 23-game winning streak against Big Ten opponents in the regular season. Today’s matchup will also serve as the 99th Little Brown Jug game.

Watch Michigan-Minn live on Fubo (free trial)

Here’s Michigan vs. Minnesota game info and everything you need to know:

What channel is Michigan vs. Minnesota on today?

THE GAME: Michigan prediction, scouting report vs. Minnesota in battle for Little Brown Jug

Michigan vs. Minnesota time today

Date: Saturday, Sept. 28.
Time: 12 p.m. ET.
Where: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

The Michigan vs. Minnesota game starts at noon from the Big House, Michigan Stadium, in Ann Arbor.

Michigan vs. USC predictions, picks, odds

Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press: The Wolverines have blown out mid-level Big Ten teams like Minnesota a lot in recent years, but without a solid passing game it’s hard to see them pulling away, unless it happens late. The Gophers have the better pass game, and U-M has been susceptible to giving up yards when the opponent’s QB gets the ball out quickly. But if Minnesota doesn’t establish its own run game on its end, the Wolverines’ front four of Josaiah Stewart, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Derrick Moore could feast on a one-dimensional offense. Michigan will look to wear it down Minnesota in the same way Iowa did a week ago. The pick: Michigan 20, Minnesota 12.

Spread: Michigan by 10½
Over/under total: 34½
Moneyline: Michigan -450, Minnesota +340

Odds provided by BetMGM as of Friday night.

Michigan football schedule 2024

Week 1: Aug. 31 vs. Fresno State, (W, 30-10)
Week 2: Sept. 7: vs Texas, (L, 31-12)
Week 3: Sept. 14 vs. Arkansas State, (W, 28-18)
Week 4: Sept. 21 vs. USC, (W, 27-24)
Week 5: Sept. 28 vs. Minnesota, 12 p.m., Fox
Week 6: Oct. 5 at Washington, TBD
Week 7: Oct. 12, Bye
Week 8: Oct. 19 at Illinois, TBD
Week 9: Oct. 26 vs. Michigan State, TBD
Week 10: Nov. 2 vs. Oregon, TBD
Week 11: Nov. 9 at Indiana, TBD
Week 12: Nov. 16, Bye
Week 13: Nov. 23 vs. Northwestern, TBD
Week 14: Nov. 30 at Ohio State, 12 p.m., Fox

See Michigan ticket prices for every 2024 game

Minnesota football schedule 2024

Week 1: Aug. 29 vs. UNC (L,19 -17)
Week 2: Sept. 7 vs. Rhode Island, (W, 48-0)
Week 3: Sept. 14 vs. Nevada, (W, 27-0)
Week 4: Sept. 21 vs. Iowa, (L, 31-14)
Week 5: Sept. 28 at Michigan, 12 p.m.., Fox
Week 6: Oct. 5 vs. USC, 5:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
Week 7: Oct. 12 at. UCLA, TBD
Week 8: Oct. 19, BYE
Week 9: Oct. 26 vs. Maryland, TBD
Week 10: Nov. 2 at Illinois, TBD
Week 11: Nov. 9 at Rutgers, TBD
Week 12: Nov. 16, BYE
Week 13: Nov. 23 vs. Penn State, TBD
Week 14: Nov. 29 at Wisconsin, 11 a.m., CBS

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Source link

Minnesota

Michigan vs. Minnesota: Everything to know ahead of ‘Big Noon Kickoff’

Published

10 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Michigan vs. Minnesota: Everything to know ahead of ‘Big Noon Kickoff’

The Wolverines head into the matchup with a 3-1 mark, while the Golden Gophers sit at 2-2. This game will mark the 106th all-time meeting of the schools, in which Michigan leads the series, 77-25-3. The winner of this rivalry game will receive the Little Brown Jug, a trophy that dates back to 1903, and is the oldest rivalry trophy in the Big Ten.

Here is a look at everything to know ahead of Saturday’s Michigan vs. Minnesota matchup!

5:37p ET

Everything to know

Live Coverage for this began on 5:33p ET

Source link

Minnesota

Recruits, targets share thoughts on Michigan football facing Minnesota this weekend

Published

18 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Recruits, targets share thoughts on Michigan football facing Minnesota this weekend

Saturday will mark the 99th game played between Michigan and Minnesota when the two schools battle for the Little Brown Jug — the oldest trophy in college football. The Wolverines have won four games in a row against the Gophers and have dominated the all-time series. Michigan has a commanding 77-25-3 lead against Minnesota.

The #12 Wolverines are coming off a major win against USC last weekend and Michigan showed it can still pound the rock to win games. With the help of Kalel Mullings, Michigan used a final drive to secure a win against the Trojans. Minnesota, on the other hand, is coming off a crushing loss at home against Iowa, The Hawkeyes ran wild on the Gophers and that will be the biggest factor in this game: how does Minnesota stop the Wolverines’ run game?

I asked some recruits to share their thoughts on the matchup this weekend and here is some insight as to what they think will happen.

The defensive lineman believes Michigan is going to be ready for the Gophers on Saturday and will get a 20-point win.

“This is the brown jug game! This is definitely a big game. Michigan will definitely go out there and ball out!”

Final score: Michigan 30, Minnesota 10

Pile is high on the Wolverines once again this week, especially with how well they played a week ago against the Trojans.

“Michigan looks good coming off a great win against USC. I’m always taking Michigan, they always come prepared.”

Conroy wants Michigan to continue to do the same thing that’s got the Wolverines to where they are now: run the football.

“Run the damn ball.”

Thomas wants to see some more out of the offense, but he has faith the Wolverines’ defense will keep Michigan in the majority of its games.

“The defense will keep BigBlue in most games. The offense just has to click. #GoBlue”

The Gophers were torched on the ground last weekend against Iowa and Patrick looks for Michigan to move the ball on the ground this week.

“I think Michigan will be able to run the ball really effectively.”

Krempin believes if the same Michigan team shows up this week as it did last week, the Wolverines will get a win on Saturday. The Gophers may have the second-ranked pass defense, but if they can’t stop the Wolverines’ run game, what matters?

“I know if the same Michigan team shows up that I saw last weekend, Michigans got it in the bag. A good pass defense doesn’t help much if you run the ball down their throat.”

Hart is extremely high on Michigan in this game due to its run game and Will Johnson on the defensive side.

“I got Michigan all the way baby!! They play hard smash-mouth football and they have the best corner in college football, Will Johnson.”

The major Michigan target thinks this game comes down to which team can run the football better. The Gophers have running back Darius Taylor who has been a very good back for the Gophers. Michigan has both Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards. He’s leaning toward a Michigan win.

“I think this game will be who wins the run game. You know Darius Taylor is going to be locked in playing his home state school. And it’s clear Michigan still is one of the top running schools in the country. Think Michigan pulls this out though.”

– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –

Michigan football opponent preview: Minnesota Gophers

Three keys to a Michigan football win vs. Minnesota

3 Things To Watch: No. 12 Michigan vs. Minnesota

Source link