Clowning Around
Marlene’s Musings February 16, 2020 Stravinsky is my favorite composer. We will be performing the music from Petrushka, one of three ballets he wrote for Serge Diaghilev and the Russian […]
Entries by Melissa Kalal
The Golden Age
Marlene’s Musings October 7, 2019 What do all these pieces have in common? Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue Kurt Weill/Bertold Brecht: Threepenny Opera Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein: Showboat Copland: Symphony No. 1 […]
Tony Ross – Cellist Extraordinaire
Marlene’s Musings February 22, 2019 I have known about Tony Ross for years. When I played clarinet in the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, he substituted in the cello section a […]
Ralph Vaughan Williams – the People’s Composer
Marlene’s Musings January 31, 2019 On Feb. 24 (at Wayzata Community Church) and March 3 (at Orchestra Hall) we will be performing Ralph (pronounced “Rafe”) Vaughan Williams masterpiece, Dona Nobis […]
An Amazing Season To Come!
Marlene’s Musings September 12, 2018 I am studying like a fiend, preparing for the first concert of our 10th Anniversary Season. When I thought about repertoire to celebrate 10 years, […]
Composing To Save Your Life
Marlene’s Musings April 3, 2018 Shostakovich 1906-1975 Shostakovich was recognized from an early age as one of Russia’s great composers. He completed his first symphony at 19 and by 26, […]
I Adore Our Audience!
Marlene’s Musings January 1, 2018 I adore our audience! Late last year, Simon Sperl (our fabulous new executive director) and I met a few members of our loyal audience at […]
Ann Bancroft, My Hero
Marlene’s Musings November 1, 2017 Years ago when I was conducting family concerts for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, I had the idea to ask Arctic Explorer, Ann Bancroft, to […]
Excited for My 8th Season
Marlene’s Musings August 20, 2017 The Wayzata Symphony Orchestra is a unique orchestra. None of its members get paid to play. Their dedication to the orchestra, their disciplined personal preparation, […]
Holst, The Planets – Astrological and Astronomical
Marlene’s Musings April 11, 2017 Holst, The Planets – astrological and astronomical I have been wishing for the opportunity to conduct The Planets by Gustav Holst ever since a friend […]