The Minnesota Orchestra has announced its schedule of free family concerts. Target sponsors these events, to be led by associate conductor Courtney Lewis.
The series begins July 3 with two afternoon concerts at Orchestra Hall. The program includes Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man," selections from Dvorak's New World Symphony, Charles Ives' "Variations on America" and, for Johnny Depp fans, a medley from the film "Pirates of the Caribbean."
On Jan 28 next year, soloists Robin Scott (violin) and Samir Chatterjee (tabla) lead a program of world music. They will team on Shirish Korde's "Svara-Yantra," a concerto for violin and tabla. That concert also has Gershwin's Cuban Overture and Ravel's "Boléro."
The Feb. 4 concert takes its cue from Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition." Selections of the piece, arranged by Ravel, will be played, along with Debussy's "The Sunken Cathedral" and Respighi's "St. Michael the Archangel."
Ballet is the theme on March 31 and April 14, when Minnesota Dance Theatre accompanies the orchestra in Prokofiev's "Death of Tybalt" from "Romeo and Juliet," and Stravinsky's "Petrushka."
On June 3 next year, pianist Austin Frohmader performs on the "Peter and the Wolf" program. Prokofiev's famous piece, accompanied by a theatrical production that was created by Theatre de la Jeune Lune, headlines the concert. Selections from Ravel's Mother Goose suite and Liszt's "Hungarian Fantasy" are also on the program.
All concerts are at Orchestra Hall, and a drawing is held to allot the free tickets. Time periods are designated for each concert during which individuals may register for the drawing. For information, go to minnesotaorchestra.org/target or call 612-371-5656.
