YourClassical
The SPCO

Party on Saturday for Johann

Johann Sebastian Bach
A portrait of Bach as a young man while in Weimar attributed to J. E. Rentsch, the Elder.
Wikimedia

As reassuring as the coming of spring, Bach's Birthday - March 21 - provides an excellent opportunity to banish the winter blahs, even if we must jump the gun and celebrate two days early!

This weekend's party includes a cycle of free hour-long concerts at five Saint Paul churches.

Members of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, plus piano and organ students from the University of Minnesota and St. Olaf College perform many works by Bach plus several dramatic scores by his late-19th-century disciple, Max Reger - whose birthday happily happens to fall on March 19!.

It all starts with a live Classical MPR broadcast on Saturday morning at 9:00 from the Saint Paul Seminary Chapel (2260 Summit Avenue West), then moves to the University of Saint Thomas chapel at 10:30 (Cleveland Avenue North at Ashland), to the Cathedral of Saint Paul at 1:00 (239 Selby Avenue), Unity Unitarian Church at 2:30 (732 Holly Avenue, and the grand finale at House of Hope Presbyterian Church at 4:00 (797 Summit Avenue.)

Special guest performers include "Skip" James from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Stephen Self from Bethel University, and Catherine Rodland from St. Olaf College).

Attend all five concerts, or come when you can. Voluntary donations will be collected for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest The SPCO Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest The SPCO Episodes

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Singers perform Handel's 'Messiah'

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Singers perform Handel's 'Messiah'

Join the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, guest conductor Patrick Dupré Quigley, vocal ensemble the Singers and an all-star roster of vocal soloists for the ensemble’s annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Listen to the live broadcast with host Steve Seel at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, on YourClassical MPR.

Listen: Gabor Takacs-Nagy leads the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra season finale
24:44
Listen: SPCO performs Handel's 'Messiah' with the Singers and all-star vocal roster
2:01:48
Listen: Takács-Nagy leads the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in its season finale
1:55:04
Listen: St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Singers perform Handel's 'Messiah' for Easter
Listen: Violinist Joshua Bell and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra perform Bruch
1:31:23
Listen: Conductor and violinist Pekka Kuusisto returns to lead the SPCO
1:58:27
Conductor Richard Egarr returns to lead the SPCO

Conductor Richard Egarr returns to lead the SPCO

Richard Egarr returns to lead the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in a delightful program of works from London, including pieces by Henry Purcell, William Lawes and Franz Joseph Haydn. Join host Steve Seel for YourClassical MPR’s live broadcast of the concert at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Listen: Xavier Foley brings 'For Justice and Peace' to the SPCO

Listen: Xavier Foley brings 'For Justice and Peace' to the SPCO

Composer and bassist Xavier Foley made his SPCO debut with a program that included his work ‘For Justice and Peace,’ a double concerto for violin and bass that marks 400 years since the arrival of the White Lion, the first ship that brought enslaved Africans to Virginia. Listen now.

1:19:16
Listen: Jeremy Denk joins the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

Listen: Jeremy Denk joins the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

Listen to YourClassical MPR’s broadcast of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Oct. 30 concert, featuring pianist Jeremy Denk. The program included pieces by Mozart and a fiendishly difficult and zany string quartet by Sky Macklay.

1:24:25
VIEW ALL EPISODES