Spotlight: "The Song Gatherer"

Thursday-Friday: For their second world premiere in as many weeks, the Minnesota Orchestra and Osmo Vänskä look to Scotland-based composer Sally Beamish (right). In Beamish's "The Song Gatherer," the second cello concerto she has written for British soloist Robert Cohen (left), the cello is cast as a traveler. "The music is often restless," writes Beamish, "always moving on, but settling also on extended lament, meditation and joyful reflection." Along for the journey are Sibelius' evocative "Pelleas and Melisande" Suite and Mendelssohn's Luther-quoting "Reformation" Symphony. (11 a.m. Thu., 8 p.m. Fri. $22-$84. Orchestra Hall, 11th St. and Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-371-5656 or www.minnesotaorchestra.org.)