SPCO performs invigorating Spanish and Latin American classical music live performance

It is taken People a very long time to get there, however many now appear extra keen to entertain a historic narrative that does not match into the Eurocentric previous world/new world framework. In the present day, few American historical past books begin with Columbus crusing the ocean blue in 1492.

Likewise, classical live shows are getting much less tied all the way down to the same old Western European suspects. Twin Cities audiences have an awesome alternative to take pleasure in a program born of cultural cross-pollination this week. The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is barnstorming a number of metro-area venues with greater than half a millennium filled with music that eloquently explores the intersection of Spain and Latin America.

Curated by SPCO violinist Maureen Nelson, the live performance proved an interesting fast-paced transatlantic flight at St. Paul’s Ordway Live performance Corridor Friday night time. Hopscotching throughout eras from the Renaissance to the classical to both finish of the fashionable period, it proved a ceaselessly invigorating 80-minute, intermission-less providing.

Whereas its centerpiece — and the night’s excessive level — was an association for string orchestra of latest American composer Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout,” the live performance was a rewarding musical walkabout, as effectively, beginning with a symphony by a lesser-known composer.

That may be Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, who most likely earned his nickname, “The Spanish Mozart,” as a lot for his precociousness as his model. Alas, the Iberian wunderkind died at age 20. So, if the SPCO’s spirited interpretation of his lone symphony makes you hungry for extra of his music, you will not discover that a lot of it, unhappy to say. However his symphony was fairly a satisfying glimpse into his presents, buoyed by some beautiful woodwind work from flutist Julia Bogorad-Kogan and clarinetist Sang Yoon Kim.

A style of Latin American flavors discovering their approach into European music got here courtesy of a woodwind quintet model of Maurice Ravel’s “Piece en Forme de Habanera.” However much more involving was Frank’s piece, every of its six actions impressed by a distinct Andean instrument or ensemble. I’ve heard the unique string quartet model earlier than, however this association was extra richly textured, each sonically and emotionally, particularly throughout Nelson’s fiery solos on the “Tarqueada” motion and the sad “Chasqui.”

Nelson was each composer and concertmaster for her concert-closing “Renaissance Suite,” which tailored three songs from the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries from the pens of Pedro Guerrero, Josquin des Prez and Nelson’s personal tackle a Peruvian dance.

And it served a welcome reminder that different attention-grabbing issues have been occurring in 1492, similar to des Prez writing some shifting heartbroken laments and laying a basis for the subsequent century of European music.

Rob Hubbard is a Twin Cities classical music author. Attain him at wordhub@yahoo.com.

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

What: Works by Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, Maurice Ravel, Gabriela Lena Frank and Maureen Nelson

When and the place: 8 p.m. Sat., Ordway Live performance Corridor, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; 7:30 p.m. Tues., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Street, Apple Valley; 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Temple Israel, 2323 Fremont Av. S., Mpls.; 8 p.m. Fri., Wayzata Neighborhood Church, 125 Wayzata Blvd. E., Wayzata; 8 p.m. Feb. 4, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 900 Summit Av., St. Paul

Tickets: Free-$50, accessible at 651-291-1144 or thespco.org