BACK-TO-BACK DECEMBERS, my husband and I have won tickets to holiday concerts from Faribault radio stations.
Last year Randy scored tickets from Power 96, KQCL, to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
This past weekend I won two tickets from KDHL to hear the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet at the Northfield Middle School.
The two shared the commonality of a holiday theme. Otherwise they couldn’t have been more different with ear-deafening rock music at one to ear-soothing orchestra music at the other. I enjoyed both, in different ways.
Since I’ve already blogged about the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert (click here), this post focuses on the CVRO’s two-hour long Sunday afternoon Nutcracker concert.
Versions of the Nutcracker play on screen while the orchestra performs.
A Christmas classic, the Nutcracker shares the story of a young girl who receives a nutcracker from her godfather and then has a dream, according to Philip Spensley, who hosted and narrated the CVRO event. Spensley’s voice alone impressed me in that sort of sitting by the fireside listening to a well-spoken man vocalize in a mesmerizing and magical tone way.
Two nutcrackers were posted on either side of the orchestra.
The original Nutcracker was performed in 1892 with many revisions and interpretations since, said Spensley.
While the musicians played on Sunday, snippet versions of the Nutcracker showed on a big screen suspended above the orchestra, making this an intertwining visual and auditory experience.
I last saw the Nutcracker presented during a December 2012 figure skating show, “The Nutcracker on Ice,” at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault. (Click here to read that post.)
And many decades ago while in college, I was entertained by the ballet version on stage in the Twin Cities.
Photographed between Acts I and II.
I come to concerts like CVRO’s with minimal musical knowledge. I can’t read a note nor do I always know what instruments I am seeing or hearing. I didn’t grow up with music, unless you count a toy accordion I got for Christmas one year and organ music at Sunday morning church services. Opportunities simply were not there for me to learn music or attend concerts.
Thus I am especially grateful for opportunities locally to hear the likes of the CVRO, a regional orchestra founded in 1979 and comprised of around 40 musicians, both professional and otherwise, according to member and cellist Rick Berge of Faribault who phoned me about my free tickets.
The gift of the nutcracker, one of many scenes shown on the big screen.
He noted that I should pay special attention to the celesta, an unusual instrument resembling a small upright piano. From my seat, I couldn’t clearly see the celesta, but I had a good view of the violins, or maybe they were violas—I don’t know the difference. When watching the violinists, I noted how, most often, they drew bows across strings like ballerinas gliding across a stage. Other times they moved their arms in short, jerky pops like leaping ballerinas. And then I noticed the musicians plucking strings with their fingers and whispered to my husband, “I didn’t know violinists played violins without bows.”
As I said, my musical knowledge is minimal.
The CVRO founder and long-time conductor, Paul Niemisto, comes to his position with vast musical experience. (Click here to read about his background.) He currently serves on the faculty at Northfield’s St. Olaf College, a college noted for its strong musical program. To retain that level of commitment to an orchestra for 33 seasons is remarkable.
Also commendable is the commitment of the volunteer CVRO musicians who come from around the area, gathering to practice and present four regional concerts annually.
I was delighted to sit in the audience at their holiday concert, wondering, as I always have, how ballerinas can dance on their tiptoes and how violinists know exactly how far to slide their bows.
CVRO musicians prepare to take a break between acts.
FYI: To learn more about the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra, click here.
Although I received two free tickets to this concert, I was not asked to write this post nor did winning the tickets influence the content herein.
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
One of my friends and I went to see the Minnesota ballet perform The Nutcracker last weekend. I loved it and the time just flew by—it really did. They used about 60 local young people to fill out the balance of the cast from the gingerbread cookies to the carolers and it was a great opportunity for the local youth to participate in something that will be a great memory for them. We had 3rd row seats which were amazing and we totally enjoyed every moment of it. Glad your experience was so wonderful!
Was this show in Mason City? I am always mesmerized by ballet.
Yep– they have a wonderful series at NIACC and it was part of that.
What a COOL Holiday Event – thanks for sharing! I could not see or hear after seeing the Trans Siberian – so loud and the strobe lights – WOW!!! Happy Tuesday:)
Yeah, that’s why I wore ear plugs and closed my eyes on occasion.
How fortunate to win free tickets two years in a row. I love the Nutcracker Ballet – it’s such a lovely story. Glad to hear you enjoyed both nights out xx
I need my occasional culture fix and this was a new experience for me, attending an orchestra concert.
That sounds like a really nice event! I love holiday music and did grow up with music, although my daughter’s musical knowledge is far vaster than mine. We had the opportunity to listen to the Maroon Campus Orchestra at the U of M where Abby is a freshman and a second violin. They performed in the Ted Mann Concert Hall last week and it was divine.
How lovely to hear Abby perform. Violins are such a beautiful instrument.
Interesting performance! Listening to live music is always a treat. I could watch the Nutcracker every year…but am not able to! I sure enjoyed it in Seattle two years ago – it was a wonderful performance.
Do you ever head west to Sioux Falls for concerts? I expect that’s a large enough city to have a major concert venue.
Yes, the Washington Pavilion is a lovely venue. We’ve gone to several musicals there but don’t do it too often. Now that the kids are older we should do it more often; I tend to forget about it! I think I’ll go check their calendar of events!
Perhaps a weekend get-away when winter starts to get too long on the prairie.
Indeed! I just discovered – when I went to their website yesterday – that they even show regular movies in their cinedome – not exactly culture, but it would be enjoyed by my kids!
You are indeed a winner in a most magnificent way….I am totally envious!!! I am so glad you received these tickets as I can “hear” in your post how your heart was so open to the total experience. A live performance of any kind (within civilized reason…….this rules out heavy metal IMHO!!!) is the most wondrous experience!! Blessings……
Heavy metal is not for me either, nor is rap music. I’m more a 70s/early 80s rock, classical and Christian music type of girl.
I would love to see Elton John and Rod Stewart in concert some day.
So funny…..I was going to add the “rap” category!! Love Rod Stewart!!!! I knew we were kindred spirits (I know I’ve observed that before!!!). Hugs and good nite……….