Category Archives: Music & concerts

Isles Ensemble’s 2018-19 season

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For fifteen years the members of the Isles Ensemble have been bringing marvelous chamber music to the heart of the Hill and Lake neighborhoods on four Sunday afternoons at Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church.

The first concert, on September 30, included works by Carolyn Shaw, Brahms, and Schubert. Here is the story.

The second concert, on November 11, included works by Bruch, Haydn, and Shostakovich. Here is the story.

The third concert, on February 24, included the monumental Tchaikovsky piano trio in addition to works by Haydn and Arvo Pärt. Here is the story.

The fourth and final concert, on May 5, was quite a gathering, featuring eight of the 11 Isles Ensemble members. The program included the Brahms Sextet in G Major and pieces by Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. Here is the story.

International Cello Institute recital series: Summer 2018

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The International Cello Institute, now in its ninth year, brings cello students to the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield for three weeks of intensive instruction with nationally-renowned cellists, mentoring, and relationship-building. In the summer 2017, ICI co-directors Anna Clift and Laura Sewell started CELLOici — three recitals bringing three of ICI’s instructors to up to Minneapolis for our summertime listening pleasure.

Mark Kasower, with pianist Jae-Won Oh, performed on July 17. Astrid Schween, with pianist Mary Jo Gothmann, performed on July 21.  Here is the story.

Young cello phemon Brannon Cho, with pianist Victor Santiago Asuncion, performed on July 31. Here is the story.

Isles Ensemble’s 2017-18 season

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Now in their 14th season, the musicians of the Isles Ensemble performed to enthusiastic audiences on four Sunday afternoons at Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church.

The first concert, on

The second concert, on November 19, included music of Martinů, Rachmaninoff, and Beethoven.

The third concert, on February 18, included music of Haydn, Mozart, and Brahms. Here is the story.

The fourth concert, on April 8, included music of Schnittke, Mendelssohn, and Dvořák. Here is the story.

Lumina, Mirandola, Compass Brass perform at St. Mark’s

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“Sacred music in a sacred space” has been the watchword for the St. Mark’s Cathedral Music Series for 46 years, and the Compass Brass Ensemble and choral groups Lumina and Mirandola ensemble carried on that tradition during the 2017-18 season.

Here is the story about Lumina and the Mirandola Ensemble, who sang on February 24 and March 10 (respectively.

Here is the story about the Compass Brass Ensemble, who performed on April 7.