Join the DSSO as we collaborate with heritage groups and artists from Duluth, including Gaelynn Lea, winner of NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest to celebrate the “Apostle of Ireland” on St. Patrick’s Day. Music and dancing from Ireland and other Celtic countries will fill the hall .

Joined by the fantastic DSSO Chorus, we are offering three works that reach back in time for inspiration. Gradually we step back further: From the folk music roots of Grieg’s Symphonic Dances, to the Old Testament texts of Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and finally Ravel’s incredible setting of the ancient Greek story of Daphnis and Chloe. This concert boasts with wonderful contrasts and most exhilarating music.

The DSSO continues The Beethoven Project, with this performance and live recording of Beethoven’s Symphony No.6, his Pastoral Symphony. As the first composition to include a poetic program behind the music, it inspired generations of composers and opened the door for the creation of a new genre: “Program Music”. During the first half of this focus concert, we explore these influences in Bartok’s Rumanian Folk Dances and de Falla’s piano concerto Nights in the Gardens of Spain, through music and narration.

Sibelius wrote about En Saga (A Fairy Tale), that in no other work did he reveal himself so completely. We contrast this tragic tale with one of humor and rambunctiousness: Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, one of Strauss’ greatest instrumental works. Finally, Strauss’ final composition, his Four Last Songs, includes some of the most beautiful music you’ll ever hear. Performed by Metropolitan Opera veteran, Christine Brewer, this will be an evening to remember!