First Listen is an NPR series that brings live performances of great artists, both old and new. Check here regularly for exciting performances by many of todays most creative and influential performers.

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THE SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Live Tonight: The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's Jazz Band Composer, 5 p.m. ET
When soprano Dawn Upshaw asked Maria Schneider to compose a piece for her to sing with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Schneider told her that was crazy. Schneider is one of the most respected composers in jazz, the leader of her own New York-based big band for almost two decades and the recipient of two Grammys. But she had compelling reasons to deny Upshaw's request.

"Initially I was just terrified," Schneider said, "because I've never written anything for classical orchestra at that point. I'd never written for classical soprano. I was just dumbfounded. The other part that was scary was writing for words."

"I was just in love with Maria's music," Upshaw said. "She's an extraordinary human being. Her joy, her warmth — you hear all those things in her music. I loved being surrounded by her music when I listened to it. I felt better."

Program

THE SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Igor Stravinsky: Concerto in D for Strings

Maria Schneider: Carlos Drummond de Andrade Stories
for soprano and chamber orchestra
SPCO Commission
Maria Schneider, conductor
Dawn Upshaw, soprano

Béla Bartók: Five Hungarian Folk Songs
(arranged by Richard Tognetti)
Dawn Upshaw, soprano
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 104 "London"

Upcoming shows
(all are LIVE at 5:00 PM PST)

May 13: Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
May 14: Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26
Jim Malcolm at the Freight and Salvage
Jill Sobule at The Palms
Steve James at Lagunitas TapRoom
Jaydub and Dino at Murphy’s Irish Pub

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
Doug Blumer at HopMonk Sonoma
Thick Soup at Murphy’s Irish Pub
Solid Air at the French Garden Bistro
Greenhouse at Gaia’s Garden
Acoustamatics at Aqus Café
Jen Tucker and the Band at Barley and Hops

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28
Hot Club of Cowtown at the Freight and Salvage
Roger McGuinn at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center
The Bee Eaters at the Petaluma Church Concerts. See www.petalumachurchconcerts.com for more information
Grateful Dead Dance at HopMonk
Benyaro at Murphy’s Irish Pub
Honey B and the Pollinators at the French Garden Bistro
D’Bunchovus at the Redwood Café
Calm and Chaos at Aqus Café
Crosby Tyler at HopMonk Sonoma
Jen Tucker and the Band at Russian River Brewing
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
Tony Marcus, Paul Anastasio and Paul Shelasky at the Freight and Salvage
The Shots at Rancho Nicasio
Joy Ride at Murphy’s Irish Pub
Doug Adamz and the Trio Bravo at the Station House Café
David Luning, Alan Watt, Jill Cohn and Bob Appleby at Aubergine
Burlée at Aqus Café

MONDAY, JANUARY 30

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31
Tom Rigney and Flambeau at The Palms
Doug Adamz at Gaia’s Garden

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
The Wood Brothers plus Sara and Christian Dugas at the Mystic Theatre
Martyn Joseph at the Freight and Salvage
Don Giovannis at Nonni’s Restaurant in Santa Rosa
Staggerwing at Lagunitas TapRoom

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Carolyn Wonderland at The Palms
Rushad Eggleston at the Freight and Salvage
Hand Me Down at Gaia’s Garden
Solid Air at Lagunitas TapRoom
Tony Gibson at Murphy’s Irish Pub

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Carolyn Wonderland at The Last Day Saloon
Dave Alvin at the Freight and Salvage
Gator Beat at HopMonk
Sylvia Herold and the Rhythm Bugs at the Clendenen House Concert. For information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Amy Wigton at Rancho Nicasio
Youngblood and Co. at the French Garden Bistro
Jimbo Trout at Lagunitas TapRoom

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Cheap Suit Serenaders at the Freight and Salvage
Blame Sally at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center
Steve Pile Band at HopMonk
Frogsong House Concerts presents Trent Yaconelli. For information and reservations call 707-664-9653
David Brouillette at Aqus Café
Phil Lawrence Band with David LaFlamme at the French Garden Bistro
David Thom Band at Lagunitas TapRoom
The Wild Catahoulas at Monroe Hall
Andrew Freeman at Murphy’s Irish Pub
California Honey Drops and Arann Harris and the Farm Band at The Palms

COMING UP
Fred Eaglesmith at Studio E on Thursday, February 16. For details see www.northbaylive.com