Click on Classical this Weekend: music goes to your head – in a good way

Saturday morning is going to be a cold one, a good time to nestle indoors and catch up on some music-related news items. Here are three picks you won’t want to miss:

The Minnesota Orchestra will go to Cuba

Just this past Thursday, it was announced that the Minnesota Orchestra will travel to Cuba in May to perform two concerts at the Teatro Nacional in Havana, as part of the International Cubadisco Festival. When it was known as the Minneapolis Symphony, the orchestra performed in Cuba in 1929 and 1930, selling out both shows. When it returns in May of this year, the Minnesota Orchestra will be the first U.S. orchestra to perform in Cuba since the thaw in diplomatic relations began in December 2014.

Your brain on music

Did you know that listening to music is good exercise for your brain? When we listen to music, our brain works very quickly to interpret musical elements like rhythm and melody. And when we play an instrument, we actually get a full-body brain workout. All of our senses as well as our motor skills are engaged. Classical MPR’s Daniel Nass has shared a wonderful, four-minute, animated video from TEDEd that illustrates just how good playing an instrument is for our brains.

An “exciting and scary” concert

It’s not “scary” in the sense that young children can’t attend, but it stir a bit of trepidation for the performers — as happens whenever pieces of new music are played for the first time. That’s what will happen this Sunday, Feb. 15, at Sundin Music Hall at Hamline University when the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet will perform three new works by Minnesota composers. My colleague Alison Young welcomed the quartet on Friday, and they chatted about the upcoming concert and even performed a couple of selections as a preview.

Have a great weekend!

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$
<!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE-->