Since MPR was founded in 1967, our studios have been a regular stop for the world's master musicians, composers, and conductors. The cultural institutions of Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra have provided our community with not only the opportunity to incredible visiting musicians, but also the leadership of classical personalities Bobby McFerrin, Osmo Vanska and Neville Marriner. MPR has strived to preserve many of these local classical moments. As part of that goal, here is a sample collection of unique conversations, occasionally combined with performance broadcasts and reports on the local classical scene.
November 6, 1974 - The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra returns to Minnesota from a four week tour of Europe. Conductor Dennis Russell Davies said audiences were very receptive.
May 16, 1978 - The General Manager of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Stephen Sell, decides to become the Executive Vice President of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. His resume also includes Assistant Manager of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Executive Director of the State Arts Board.
May 16, 1978 - There is a shake up in the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's leadership. James Halland's contract to be General Manager is not renewed and Principal Conductor Dennis Russell Davies is leaving after the 1979-1980 season to conduct in Europe. Edward Taylor, the President of the Orchestra Association's Executive Board blames the shake up on the lack of financial stability in the future. There is also a proposal to alter the management structure.
May 16, 1978 - There is a shake up in the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's leadership. James Halland's contract to be General Manager is not renewed and Principal Conductor Dennis Russell Davies is leaving after the 1979-1980 season to conduct in Europe. Edward Taylor, the President of the Orchestra Association's Executive Board blames the shake up on the lack of financial stability in the future. There is also a proposal to alter the management structure.
January 17, 1979 - Interview with Eric Stokes, composer and professor of music. Stokes was one of five Minnesotans that won $10,000 grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board for annual fellowships.
May 16, 1980 - Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's Principal Conductor Dennis Russell Davies (1972-1980) is finishing his last season with the ensemble. In the interview, the following is covered: how he came to be at SPCO, why he chose to come here, why he programs more contemporary music than other conductors, what different factors make up a successful orchestral season, his experience conducting at Bayreuth for the Ring Cycle (Wolfgang Wagner asked him to conduct), and reflecting on his time at SPCO.
March 22, 1981 - Saint Paul Sunday Morning, first show. Featuring: Members of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra with the Dale Warland Chamber Singers Program (all by Johann Sebastian Bach): Suite No. 3 in D Major BWV 1009 (1720), Brandenburg Concerto BWV 1044 (1721), "Christ lag in Todes Banden," cantata, BWV 4 (~1708).
April 19, 1981 - Brunelle on the organ of the Cathedral of St. Paul Program: Widor: Toccata Howells: Sarabande for the morning of Easter Telemann: 2 chorale preludes on "Christ lag" Bach: Chorale Prelude "Christ ist erstanden" Messiaen: Chant d'oiseaux Franck: A minor chorale 4 hymns Messiaen: Outburst of Joy
April 19, 1981 - Layton James and Philip Brunelle perform Widor Toccata, Handel's Concerto Grosso in F Major, op.3, no.4. HWV 314 (1716), Herbert Howells' Saraband for the Morning of Easter (1949), chorale preludes by Georg Philipp Telemann and J.S. Bach, Messiaen Song for Birds (1951), Franck Third Chorale in a minor from Trois Choral (1890), Flor Peters' All Glory be to God on High, Lynwood Farnam's Oh Sons and Daughters of the King, Philip Brunelle's Christ the Lord has Risen Today, and Paul Manz' Unto Thee all Praise be Given, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
May 17, 1981 - Featuring the Dale Warland Singers.Stephen Paulus: Two Madrigals: "Sing We at Pleasure" and "And Must I Depart Then?"Paul Fetler: Madman's SongPaul Fetler: Wild SwansJames Walker: The Electronic Alice, Part IGiovanni Palestrina: Sicut cervusJohannes Brahms: Warum ist das Licht gegebenStephen Paulus: Personals20th Century American Eclectic MassDerek Healey: In Flanders FieldIsraeli Folk Tune: Zum gali