One of the most sought-after conductors of her generation, Elim Chan is highly regarded for her wide-ranging repertory, with incisive interpretations of both classical and contemporary symphonic works.
In her Minnesota Orchestra debut, she will share that stage with violinist Benjamin Beilman, a soloist with whom she frequently collaborates. In these concerts, Beilman will perform Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s cinematic Violin Concerto. A noted film composer early in cinema history, Korngold also created works for the concert hall, including this eloquent concerto that draws material from many of his best-known film scores.
The program will take place at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday, May 9, at 11 AM, and Friday, May 10, at 8 PM, with ticket prices ranging from $25 to $106. Free tickets for all programs are available to young listeners ages six to 18 thanks to the Orchestra’s Hall Pass program. The performance on Friday, May 10, will be broadcast live on stations of YourClassical Minnesota Public Radio, including KSJN 99.5 FM in the Twin Cities.
Chan is a champion of Unsuk Chin, and these concerts will open with that composer’s subito con forza—which the Minnesota Orchestra gave the U.S. premiere of in October 2021. Written in 2020 to commemorate Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday, Chin’s subito con forza (“suddenly, with force”) was inspired by the conversation books that helped Beethoven communicate as his hearing diminished. Speaking of her admiration of Beethoven’s music, Chin said, “What particularly appeals to me are the enormous contrasts: from volcanic eruptions to extreme serenity.” Her brief but powerful composition includes hidden and overt references to Beethoven’s music.
The program will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2. Tchaikovsky’s shortest symphony, his Second is distinctive for its extensive use of Ukrainian folk melodies. The unusual harmonic progressions of the symphony’s imaginative finale also helped make that movement one of the composer’s favorites. The work was given the nickname Little Russian by music critic Nikolay Kashkin, which at the time would have been understood to simply mean “Ukrainian.” The music and its title assume a new context due to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In addition to the May 9 and 10 program, a subsequent Symphony in 60 concert will be held on Saturday, May 11, at 6 PM with ticket prices ranging from $25 to $48; Choose Your Price tickets are available to concertgoers for select seating sections ($5 minimum ticket price). Symphony in 60 concerts are one hour in duration, and include earlier start times, a pre-concert happy hour and post-concert onstage reception with musicians. The May 11 concert will also be conducted by Chan, and will consist of Chin’s subito con forza and Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony. [Korngold’s Violin Concerto will not be performed as part of the Symphony in 60 program.]
