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
