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Minnesota Orchestra to play Beethoven at St. Olaf tonight

By Le Ann Finger '85
February 17, 2005

The Minnesota Orchestra will embark on a five-city tour of southern Minnesota from Feb. 17-25, 2005. Featuring performances of Beethoven's Fourth and Fifth Symphonies, the tour will be led by Music Director Osmo Vanska in his first state-wide introduction since becoming music director in September 2003.

The tour begins tonight (Thursday, Feb. 17) with a performance at St. Olaf College in the Skoglund Center Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for students (age 6 through college). Purchase tickets in person at the Buntrock Commons office, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or call 507-646-3017 or 507-646-3032.

"It is an honor for St. Olaf to be hosting one of the world's great professional orchestras for an on-campus concert," says Jan McDaniel, vice president for college relations and a member of the Minnesota Orchestra board of directors. "St. Olaf is the home of nationally recognized music programs, so the Minnesota Orchestra concert is a perfect celebration of our partnership in offering excellent concerts to the public."

The Minnesota statewide tour continues with four additional concerts in Windom, Sauk Centre, Willmar and Dassel-Cokato.

"Touring across our own state is a fundamental priority in the orchestra's new strategic plan," said orchestra president and CEO Tony Woodcock. "The Minnesota Orchestra has a long history of performing throughout Minnesota and we're happy to have the opportunity to connect with these home communities early in Osmo Vanska's tenure as music director."

Finnish conductor Osmo Vanska became the Minnesota Orchestra's tenth music director in September 2003. Praised for his intense and dynamic performances, Vanska is recognized for compelling interpretations of the standard, contemporary and Nordic repertoires, as well as the close rapport he establishes with the musicians he leads.

During his first season in Minnesota, Vanska led the Orchestra in its 100th birthday concert and on a highly acclaimed eleven-city tour of Europe, including performances in Vienna, Berlin, London and Lahti, Finland.

The Minnesota Orchestra last offered a statewide tour during its Centennial Season in April 2003 with Associate Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero conducting. The current tour takes the place of a Florida tour the orchestra canceled last July due to budget constraints.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3416 or finger@stolaf.edu.