People Like Chopin

A lot of people really like Frederic Chopin. That makes today, his 200th birthday, a really big deal!
At 7 pm CT tonight, 99.5 fm Classical MPR will live broadcast a recital from Poland of pianist Garrick Ohlsson playing Chopin. MPR says...

"A lovely manor home in the tiny (population 65) village of Zelazowa Wola will be Mr. Ohlsson's concert stage and Chopin's very own 1848 Pleyel, his instrument for a program of polonaises, mazurkas, and the Ballade No. 3.
Straight from Poland to your living room. "

Fascinating. Tune in or listen online here...




I have to admit, I've always been as excited about Chopin as I am a nice, healthful, bland plate of brussel sprouts. His music is noble, refined, never frilly, always in good taste, but.... well, just a little boring. I recognize that he is greatly loved, I just need a little convincing. Someone convince me!



Frédéric François Chopin, b. Warsaw, Poland, March 1810– 17 October 1849



Jenny Lind, "the Swedish Nightengale" was a muse for Chopin

Lovers' Rock

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!


to celebrate, here are some of Opera and Ballet's storied lovers...the tragedy and bliss...















If you're looking for very last-minute ways to impress your Valentine, consider checking out the final day of Till Death Do Us Part at Rogue Buddha art gallery, or sending out a special radio request via MPR's 99.5 Classical. adorable.

A Weekend of Modern and Future Classics

Well, we've made it over the hump and now it's time for you to start thinking about your weekend! What fabulous event are you going to get all gussied-up for and take hot pictures of yourself and your hip friends to post on facebook? ;)
Luckily, you've got a cornucopia of classy choices to choose from, as demonstrated below:



THURSDAY-SUNDAY


Casanova's Homecoming is in it's second weekend at the Minnesota Opera, and seems to be pleasing the critics. The Star Trib says.."a spirited revival shows Casanova's Homecoming by Dominick Argento to be a great modern comic opera." (Read the full review here) and there's some fun back-story about "local" composer Argento here on the Minnesota Public Radio website.




SATURDAY


Osmo Vanska conducts the Minnesota Orchestra in Future Classics- an "electrifying night of fresh and innovative sounds" featuring brand spankin' new works from young (but accomplished) composers. One such composer is Angel Lam, whose name is awesome and makes me think of Gwen Stefani's little Harajuku girl-inspired fashion line called L.A.M.B. (LoveAngelMusicBaby). Luckily, Angel Lam's music doesn't sound so much like Gwen Stefani as it does Yo Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, who recently performed her work.




SUNDAY


Vanska Plays Mozart/MSO Plays Vanska
My pick of the weekend (because IT IS FREE!) comes from the Metropolitain Symphony Orchestra, again with MN Orchestra director Osmo Vanska as guest composer and soloist. MSO is Minnesota's best civic orchestra, and my awesome cellist friend Aubrey plays with them.





THURSDAY-SUNDAY
and last but not least, in keeping with my recent Paris obsessing...



The University of Minnesota Opera presents three short operas from Igor Stravinsky's time in the city of lights.
If you're a U of M student, you get cut a "sweet" deal- $10 tickets with your student ID. The rest of us have to pay TWENTY dollars- a ridiculous price to see non-professionals at a government-funded public school, if you ask me. I wish I could afford to see this. Sounds awesome!




On the subject of affording tickets, I've been thinking for a while about joining the Minnesota Opera's club for twenty and thirty-somethings called Tempo. For a reasonable membership cost, you get some pretty sweet deals like discounted show tickets and invitations to special Opera-hosted events and parties. If I join, it will definitely be in time for La Boheme in March! I am so excited!! The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has a similar type of deal called Club 2030, which is FREE and gets us youngsters the sweeeeet deal of $10 tickets and half-price wine and beer at neighboring restaurant Pazzaluna. I'm definitely going to be taking advantage of that awesomeness for their December performance Treasures of the Italian Baroque! More about that later.

Well... hope you get out and do something fun this weekend! And remember to check the Philharmonique calendar of local performances (link on the sidebar to your right) regularly- I'll try to keep it up to date with good stuff!

OVERTURE

welcome to Trysts Philharmonique- a place for some raucous and irreverent trysts with the world of classical music and opera.

This blog is my long-overdue tribute to the music that people refer to generally as “Classical” in it’s vast span of styles, periods, and types, from ancient to contemporary. I’m by no stretch a connoisseur- just an enthusiast of quality music, and I’ve been wanting to further explore the rich histories and masterful works behind classical music. I want to have a conversation that’s fun and accessible to all, whether you’ve only gotten into classical music a bit, or know nothing about it. And if you’re somewhat of an expert and want to share what you know and love, I hope you’ll join in too!

Maurice Ravel


One day recently, I was playing a Ravel string quartet on my itunes when a friend of mine walked into the room. He made some comment like “ooo- fancy music” or something, with a mock-snobbish accent, which made me laugh but also irked me a little bit. I think classical music should be able to be enjoyed by anyone, but the truth is most people these days seem to think it’s reserved for the upper class, over-educated, elitist of our society. If you go to an orchestra performance in this town, you’d most likely be surrounded by a sea of silver and white heads. And you’d be hard-pressed to find a single pair of Chuck Taylors amidst the well-heeled patrons of our Opera.





I’d love to see a classical “scene” burgeon in the Twin Cities- cheaper tickets and younger crowds, and scenesters who dial-hop between 89.3 and 99.5, intermingling Sibelius with their Animal Collective. Let’s make it happen!
Check out this blog and check back often! Become a “Follower.”
Take a look at the features on the sidebar to the right.
You’ll find ..
- links of interest

- a Philharmonique YouTube channel where you can listen/watch videos of music and performance

- a calendar of Minneapolis events, performances, and openings which you can even import to your iCal!

- and more to come, including information about how to get AFFORDABLE TICKETS to local chamber, orchestral, and opera performances

Comment and converse on the posts here, email me suggestions for future topics, and let us all know about the music you love!



J.S. Bach Chamber Music Hall at the Manchester Art Gallery


Igor Stravinsky, painting by Denise Kupferschmidt