Poster Martin Frost
Conductor and clarinetist Martin Frost is now an artistic partner with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Mats Backer
The SPCO

Meet Martin Frost, new SPCO artistic partner

Martin Frost interview

Would you say Frihst or Frost?

That all depends on whether you're in Sweden or the USA. Martin Fröst tells me when he speaks English, he just goes ahead and introduces himself as Martin Frost (as in Jack, David or Nick).

I fell in love with his sound and delicate phrasing after playing — maybe a few too many times — his Mozart disc on Bis. When I saw Fröst is going to be in town to perform with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra this fall, I kicked myself, having already made plans to be out of town.

But lo and behold, this marvelous musician has been asked — and has accepted — the position of artistic partner with the SPCO.

Are we in for a treat! Martin Fröst plays the classics with tremendous thoughtfulness and style, but it's his more wild side — the one that puts on a mask, struts on stage and belts out jazz and folk-influenced modern music — that will leave your jaw dropped, wondering why classical music hasn't pushed the boundaries more often.

Fröst's work with the SPCO will include that concerto — Anders Hillborg's Peacock Tales — as well as carefully crafted concerts that trace the story of music's folk and divine influences through the ages, what Martin calls "Genesis Project."

Fasten your safety belts. This is going to be an amazing ride, and I can't wait!

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