Brad Snelling is a librarian at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. He also writes historical notes for Matinee Musicale, the city's classical music series, which has been presenting concerts since 1900.

When legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz gave the local premiere of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1933, he had already been playing the work for 10 years. And the Ukrainian teacher who taught it to him ended up in Duluth. Find out more!


Legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz premieres 'Rach Third' with surprising Minnesota connections

It has been regarded by some in Duluth as an urban legend, but the story of Igor Stravinsky celebrating his 70th birthday at the Flame supper club there in 1952 is completely true. And the composer apparently wasn’t that happy with the experience.


Did Igor Stravinsky really celebrate his 70th birthday at a Duluth supper club?

When pianist Stephen Hough returns to Minneapolis to perform Sergei Rachmaninoff’s ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’ with the Minnesota Orchestra on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, he will be following in the footsteps of the great Russian composer, who gave the Minnesota premiere of his work in 1935, with conductor Eugene Ormandy and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. Find out more!


Rachmaninoff in Minneapolis: Minnesota Orchestra and pianist Hough follow in composer's footsteps

Brad Snelling is a librarian at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. He also writes historical notes for Matinee Musicale, the city's classical music series, which has been presenting concerts since 1900.


Brad Snelling

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