'Simply Unforgettable" seemed like an especially apropos theme for the Minnesota Orchestra's 55th annual Symphony Ball.
While the orchestra always brings sweet symphonic sounds to the Twin Cities, this year it received accolades from outside the state as well. A performance of "Kullervo" by Sibelius in March prompted New Yorker critic Alex Ross to write that the orchestra "sounded, to my ears, like the greatest orchestra in the world" that evening.
To celebrate the triumphant season, music lovers gathered last weekend at the Depot in Minneapolis, which was transformed with bright paper umbrellas.
Despite the rave reviews, music director Osmo Vänskä couldn't pin down his most unforgettable moments of the season. "We're always going to play for the audience; it doesn't matter what the critics say," he said. Not one highlight? "They all are favorite moments -- whenever the orchestra is playing."
The Minnesota crowd would surely give a standing ovation to that.
Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177
