Mozart and the SPCO

For the last two or three years, my wife and I have enjoyed season tickets to several series packages offered by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Two weeks ago, May 14, we attended the last concert in our Friday Evening Chamber Music Series. It was terrific, as usual.

The brightest spot in the concert was Mozart's Quintet in E-flat for Horn, Violin, Two Violas, and Double Bass, K. 407. The piece was quintessential Mozart--perfection in form, orchestration, and voicing. This piece is typically performed with cello rather than double-bass as Mozart's orchestration note allows for either. The grace and agility needed to pull it off on double-bass is considerable, and Christopher Brown's performance was perfection.

If you've never attended SPCO concerts, now is the time to start. Visit their website and check out the wide variety of series options available. You'll be impressed by the choices you have for dates, venues, and pricing. The SPCO is on my list of best things about life in the Twin Cities.