Osmo Vänskä

Music Up Close programs offer Minnesota Orchestra audiences a variety of ways to explore classical music before, during and after the concert performances.

From pre-concert discussions to post-concert Q&A’s, plus the opportunity to meet musicians and composers, you’ll find great ways to make your concert experience more complete. Details for each Music Up Close session can be found with individual concert listings throughout our Web calendar.

Concert Previews
Join us for entertaining and informative concert previews before every classical concert. You’ll have the opportunity to meet a musician, chat with a composer and learn about the concert program. Music Up Close begins 30 minutes prior to 11am concerts, 60 minutes prior to evening concerts.

Post-Concert Q&As
Stay late after any Saturday evening Classical concert for our Saturday evening post-concert Q&As, and ask Music Director Osmo Vänskä or our guest conductor about the music performed on that evening’s program or their career in music.

Close-to-Home Concerts
Our concert series at St. Andrew’s Church in Mahtomedi offers a unique concert experience. Begin with a behind-the-scenes look at the music featuring lively commentary and musical excerpts, followed by a brief Q&A session with Music Director Osmo Vänskä. Then, experience the Orchestra perform great works in the beautiful setting of St. Andrew’s.

Family Concert Sound Factory
WAMSO, the Minnesota Orchestra volunteer organization, hosts engaging musical explorations before each Target Free Family Concert. Get a chance to learn about, listen to and even try various instruments with our Sound Factory stations located throughout the lobby.

Introducing...

Don’t miss this new series featuring 90-minute concerts that take you inside a single work chosen from the great masterpieces of classical music.

Orchestra violist Sam Bergman hosts the first half of each concert, taking you on an exploration of the music, the composer and the Orchestra itself.

The second half features Assistant Conductor Sarah Hatsuko Hicks leading the Orchestra in a complete performance of each featured work.

Inside Look
Join us prior to Inside the Classics concerts for an in depth look at various musical instruments and life on stage with members of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Post-concert Q&A
Stay after the concert for a lively Q&A with host Sam Bergman and conductor Sarah Hatsuko Hicks.

All Music Up Close events are free, but a concert ticket is required for entry. Seating is available anywhere on the main floor of Orchestra Hall.