Classiclectic

The Marquette Male Chorus starts rehearsals on Sept. 7, 2021 at the Messiah Lutheran Church.

Solo crossover guitarist David Rogers returns to the Upper Peninsula for a concert Sept. 2nd at the Orpheum Theater in Hancock, MI.

The Marquette Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its 25th Anniversary Season with a free concert at the Presque Isle Bandshell on Saturday, August 14th.

The Pine Mountain Music Festival celebrates a return to live music along with its 30th Anniversary of bringing classical music to Marquette, Houghton, Iron Mountain and Crystal Falls. These two celebrations also bring 30th Anniversary performances, on Friday, June 25th at the Kaufman Auditorium in Marquette , and Saturday, June 26th at the Rozsa Center in Houghton . Both dates bring the talent of promising youth performers in a free performance by the UPStarts at 4pm. After a break for dinner on both the Friday and Saturday performance dates, a variety of performers present the 30th Anniversary Show . This performance is a collaboration with members of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra, the Keweenaw Orchestra, the Marquette City Band, Northern Michigan University's Dance Department, and tenor Miles Mykkanen (one of the original UPStarts). We hear all about the 30th Anniversary performances in an interview with Diane Eshbach, Trustee and President of the Pine Mountain Music Festival

The Marquette Symphony Orchestra returns to the Presque Isle Park Bandshell on Saturday, June 19 at 7:30pm with ' June Jubilation ,' an outdoor performance. Under the direction of principal conductor Octavio Mas-Arocas , the concert will consist of: Camille Saint-Saëns, Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila ; Quinn Mason, A Joyous Trilogy for Orchestra; Antonin Dvorak, Slavonic Dance Op. 46, No. 8 in G minor; Florence Price, Adoration; and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Symphonic Variations on an African Air, Op. 63 . Hear from Octavio himself about what to expect from the MSO with June Jubilation:

The history of flight is full of trial errors; from the stories of Daedalus and Icarus planning escape with wax and feathers, to The Wright Brothers' first successful airplane, human flight has been a dream for humanity for many years. That's what composer Christopher Tin's latest album, To Shiver the Sky, is all about. An "oratorio about the history of flight and mankind's quest to conquer the heavens," ...Sky tells a story of the evolution of this quest for flight, to reach higher than the earthbound. Throughout this album (featuring guest artists such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Opera Chorus, Danielle de Niese and more), the evolution of flight is paired with the evolution of Western classical music. The album's story is told through the perspective of eleven historical figures, a "who's who" of "astronomers, inventors, visionaries and pilots." Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Christopher about his album, and how it relates to humanity's efforts to keep

Life has changed for many, with the Coronavirus shifting the way we live and work. The arts community has grinded to a halt. But, with any difficulty comes innovation, bringing new ways to connect with music fans and patrons from home using the internet, social media and streaming options. It's a little more complicated for recording and performing artists like pianist Simone Dinnerstein . Her career of recording and performing piano works was paused, and the idea of recording in a concert hall was out of the question. But after some time, Simone returned to the idea of recording, presenting A Character of Quiet , a new album with music of Franz Schubert and Philip Glass. Simone spoke with Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth about the struggles to find motivation to create, the difficulties to overcome from recording from home and more:

The Marquette Symphony Orchestra presents "Symphony in the Park" on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 3:30pm. Under the direction of Maestro Octavio Mas-Arocas, members of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra will present orchestral favorites outdoors. It’s their first performance as an orchestra since February. Because of COVID-19 regulations, the outdoor performance is limited to 200 audience members. Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Octavio Más-Arocas, Principal Conductor of the MSO, about how the orchestra is adapting to COVID-19, social distancing and utilizing not only a different performance space but technology to bring the music to the people of Marquette:

Choir members miss singing with each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. But, with safety concerns and with cases of the virus rising, decisions had to be made regarding how best to move forward with choir activities at Northern Michigan University. The regular rehearsal season for the Marquette Choral Society is cancelled this fall, to protect the health of its members (they've shifted to more of a music appreciation / choral music study format). The University Choir and Arts Chorale are still rehearsing, although using social distancing, specially-designed choral masks, breaks, and surface cleaning. And, they will be using technology and the internet to bring the choir experience to people virtually. Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Dr. Colwitz about how her and the NMU Department of Music coordinated the changes:

Times are different; everyone is making changes and adjustments to what they do. In the arts, it is particularly hard, since so much of the magic relies on being in-person. One organization that is evolving and utilizing creativity and technology to keep fulfilling its mission is the S uperior String Alliance . Normally, they have a traditional summer camp experience that takes place at Presbytery Point in Michigamme, Michigan. But, with the COVID-19 pandemic on the rise, Danielle Simandl (Executive Director of SSA) and the staff decided the best option was to go virtual. Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Danielle about how the camp experience has changed, how they've handled the challenges of going virtual, and how they're providing the camp experience with some modifications:

Terrain is an album of otherworldly vocals, processed strings, and elaborate electronic orchestrations from composer Jacob Cooper. Studio invention and collaboration with vocalists Theo Bleckmann, Jodie Landau, cellist Ashley Bathgate, and poets Greg Brownderville, Dora Malech, and Zach Savich synthesize into the three works contained on the album Terrain , releasing July 10, 2020 from New Amsterdam Records. Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Jacob about the album, including discussion on how composition ideas are formed, how computers and studios are used as creative tools, and how the world of music has changed due to COVID-19:

Many new music releases are about a style, an artist, or a particular composer. The Poetry of Places seems to promote a kind of spatial awareness through the process of creating and listening to new music. Nadia Shpachenko spent some time talking about her new album for Public Radio 90 on Classiclectic:

MARQUETTE -- Bring the whole family to the Marquette Symphony Orchestra's Sing with the Symphony family pops concert! It's Saturday, Feb. 22 at 3:00 p.m. at Kaufman Auditorium. The performance will feature the five finalists from the MSO's first Sing with the Symphony competition. Curt Kowalski, Jacob Laitinen, Gabrielle McNally, Leslie Parkkonen and Olivia Wachnicki will each perform with the orchestra backing them up. The five singers won the MSO's contest in September with vocal pieces from different genres. Octavio Mas-Arocas, Principal Conductor of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra, came to Public Radio 90 to converse with Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth about the concert:

On this edition of the Classiclectic Connection , we speak with Trumpeter Paul Merkelo, all about his newest project The Enlightened Trumpet , which is his first release on Sony Classical. Paul is Principal Trumpet with the Montreal Symphonic Orchestra, and on this album, releases music of Haydn, Telemann, Leopold Mozart and Hummel; all music from the Age of Enlightenment, and all music featuring different kinds of trumpets throughout the instrument's development. He's joined on this recording with the Oxford Philharmonic and Marius Papadopoulos. Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Paul by phone, and discussed the trumpet's evolution throughout time, Paul's influences and trumpet heroes, and what it was like working with a different orchestra than his own:

The Marquette Symphony Orchestra is holding its 4th Annual Chamber Collage Concert. A change of venue means new opportunities for what audiences can expect to see and hear, as the concert takes place at the Forest Roberts Theatre (on Northern Michigan University's campus). The concert is a fundraising opportunity for the orchestra, as local and travelling musicians come together to perform a mix of fun and serious selections that highlight different musical instrument families. Concertmaster Janis Peterson was our guest at Public Radio 90 during Classiclectic, and told listeners what to expect at the 4th version of the Collage Concert for the MSO:

Growing up with a piece of music is something very special for many instrumentalists, and that's something that violin soloist Rachel Barton Pine has done in this new recording (along with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra led by Teddy Abrams ), taking on two violin concertos: Dvořák's and Khachaturian's. Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth had an opportunity to speak with Rachel Barton Pine about this new release from Avie Records :

Pulsations , the new record from Canadian violinist Angele Dubeau , infuses time, rhythm and heart. The music (coming from modern composers like Olafur Arnalds, Jean-Michel Blais and Craig Armstrong) was selected by Dubeau, and strives to evoke imagery and emotional intensity. The contemporary sounds of these composers could fall into the post-minimalist movement, but putting the works into a box of genre or group could take away from the experience that the album (and the singular works) aim to instill. Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth had a chance to speak with Angele by phone, where they discussed the importance of modern composers, as well as the challenges and rewards of working as a classical violinist:

The Marquette Choral Society presents their annual Christmas masterworks concert, featuring Ottorino Respighi’s Lauda per la Nativita del Signore and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noël . The Choral Society is joined by members of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Erin Colwitz, director of choirs at Northern Michigan University (including the Marquette Choral Society), discussed the event with Nicole Walton:

The Marquette Symphony Orchestra is forming a youth choir for their February 2020 concert. The MSO previously put together a childrens choir for their Halloween concert in 2018, and they are putting out the call for all Marquette County students (ages 11-14) to audition for the next choir opportunity. Dr. Robert Engelhart (Professor of Music at Northern Michigan University) is a board member for the Marquette Symphony, and he came to Public Radio 90 to spread the word about this exciting opportunity for Marquette County youth:

The NMU Choirs will present their annual concert at St. Peter Cathedral Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30pm. Music performed will come from composers Johannes Brahms, George Frederic Handel, Francis Poulenc and more. Repertoire will be predominantly sacred. Dr. Erin Colwitz, director of choirs at NMU, came to Public Radio 90 to tell us more:

Grammy Award-winning ensemble Third Coast Percussion plays music by international R&B and pop music star Devonté Hynes (aka Blood Orange ) on their newest album, Fields , marking Hynes's recording debut as a classical composer.

The Neave Trio (Anna Williams, violin; Mikhail Veselov, cello; Eri Nakamura, piano) announces the release of Her Voice on Chandos Records on October 4, 2019 (US). The album honors three distinguished women composers and features a wide range of voices from the past. From the charming, late Classical style of Louise Farrenc to the Romantic, floating, buoyant melodies of Amy Beach to the dramatic, haunting landscape and atmosphere of Rebecca Clarke, each piano trio represents the composer’s unique voice and distinct style. Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth was afforded an opportunity to speak with all three members of the Neave Trio about Her Voice :

Fantasia, Finlandia & Franck is the title of a unique performance from the Marquette Symphony Orchestra . In a side-by-side concert, the MSO will join with members of the Marquette Senior High School Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. The goal of this concert is not only to provide a wonderful evening of classic works for patrons of the orchestra, but also to further music education opportunities. Octavio Mas-Arocas, the MSO's principal conductor, will lead the combined ensembles. The MSHS Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Eric Marta, and the MSHS Wind Ensemble is conducted by Matt Ludwig (both teachers are members of the orchestra). Octavio joined Kurt Hauswirth during Classiclectic to discuss the concert repertoire and the opportunities for performers and audience members:

American cellist Ashley Bathgate "...wanted a modern-day suite that could hold its own among the epic works that already exist in the repertoire." She is speaking about her debut solo album ASH , out September 27, 2019 from New Amsterdam Records. Formerly a member of the Bang on a Can All-Stars (a sextet of classical and alternative classical musicians which began as an ensemble in 1992), Ashley has left the ensemble to explore performance and recording on her own. The product of years of work (and collaboration with the living composer group " Sleeping Giant "), ASH is a modern-day take on the cello suites of the past, such as J.S. Bach's or Britten's, but this is different than one composer writing the entire work; there are six individual composers who each collaborated and wrote a movement of the six cello pieces featured on ASH . Ashley was available to speak with Kurt Hauswirth about the album, the collaborative process, and the mindset behind the compositions and performances:

The legendary guitarist Sharon Isbin and Pacifica Quartet join forces for "Souvenirs of Spain & Italy," which includes works for guitar and strings by Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Vivaldi, and Boccherini. Souvenirs of Spain & Italy, an uncommon album of music for strings and guitar from the Baroque to the mid-20th century. Available August 23, 2019 on Cedille Records (CDR 90000 190), the program spotlights Italian-born composers influenced by Spanish idioms. Hear an interview between Sharon Isbin and Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth, all about the new release:

The Arts Center at Lake Superior State University presents the 2019-2020 season, “Celebrating 15 Years!”. The Arts Center has served the Lake State campus and greater Twin Saults community for the past fifteen years. They have hosted an array of performances - bringing local, national, and international artists to the Arts Center Stage for LSSU students, staff, faculty, and community members to learn from and enjoy. Thomas Meacham is the LSSU Arts Center Director, and he spoke with Kurt Hauswirth about the upcoming events in the 2019-20 season:

The Source Song Festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota re-imagines the song festival with concerts, recitals and masterclasses, but its mission also aims to empower and inspire a new generation of musicians. Source serves duos, composers, and audiences with five days of programming, fostering relationships within Minnesota's community and musicians throughout the Upper Midwest. Marquette's own Griffin Candey , an opera and concert music composer (who has premiered commissions with both the Marquette Choral Society and Marquette Symphony Orchestra ), attended the Source Song Festival in August of 2019 and has graciously agreed to report back with Public Radio 90 and Classiclectic host Kurt Hauswirth , to discuss what Source Song Festival is and what it means to his music craft:

"Make it a Double!" is the name of the first Marquette Symphony Orchestra concert of the 2019-20 season, and it features music of Brahms, Schubert, and living composer David Little. The Brahms Double Concerto features violinist Scott Flavin and cellist Ross Harbaugh of the Bergonzi Trio; Schubert's Unfinished Symphony is a romantic feature for the whole orchestra; David Little's Haunted Topography is a natural addition to the lineup of romantic works. Octavio Mas-Arocas is the Principal Conductor of the Marquette Symphony Orchestra, and he joined Kurt Hauswirth in studio today to speak about not only the first concert, but the entire 2019-20 season too:

The Minneapolis Guitar Quartet will perform as a part of the NMU Music Department's Siril Artist Residency on September 25, 2019. With profoundly moving performances expressing heart-felt intimacy to dazzling bravado, the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet has captivated audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. From Bach to Piazzolla to Prince, MGQ’s eclectic programs are propelled by virtuosity and synchronization that come from decades of classical training and ensemble experience. We had an opportunity to hear from the quartet as they began a busy day of events on Northern's campus:

Grimms' Fairy Tale number 9 is "The Twelve Brothers," a fairy tale about a king who wants to kill his twelve sons, in the event that the next child is a girl, who would lead the kingdom alone. The Thirteenth Child , a new opera by Danish composer Poul Ruders , is set to a libretto by Becky & David Starobin , based on that fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. The Thirteenth Child was co-commissioned by The Santa Fe Opera and the Odense Symfoniorkester . This release coincides with The Santa Fe Opera productions: July 27 (world premiere), 31, August 9, 14, 21, 2019. Kurt Hauswirth had the chance to speak to the librettists, Becky and David Starobin, about their process working with Poul Ruders' music, what a story like this means in 2019, and the pros and cons of working together as a married couple:

In this Classiclectic Connection, we crack open an educational recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, brilliantly performed by seventeen year old violinist Amelia Piscitelli and Camerata Chicago conducted by Drostan Hall . This Double CD set is replete with poetry written by Vivaldi himself and incorporates more than twenty musical examples of seasonal elements and characters cleverly depicted in the music - all beautifully narrated by Steve Robinson of WFMT radio station fame. Kurt Hauswirth had an opportunity to speak with Drostan about the experience of putting together this first-ever education recording of The Four Seasons: