September 14th, 2023
Mankato, MN — The Mankato Symphony presents its first full symphony concert of the season “New Paths” on Saturday, September 30, at 7pm in the Saint Peter High School Auditorium. The MSO Music Director Ernesto Estigarribia will lead the orchestra in a program of Jesse Montgomery, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Johannes Brahms. The concert also showcases the debut of Minnesota pianist Jacob Taggart, a sixteen-year-old pianist who will perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto. Taggart was chosen to perform as a result of winning first-place in the 2023 Mankato Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition. Thanks to the Mary E. Suedbeck Fund for the Encouragement of the Arts of Mankato Area Foundation, Taggart also received $1500.
The Mankato Symphony competition chair Megan Wehrwein states, “Jacob Taggart is a fantastic pianist, and is a prime example of the up-and-coming talent amongst Minnesota’s youth. We were thrilled at the caliber of competitors in last year’s contest and are in the process of encouraging budding young artists to sign up for our next competition, to be held on February 24. Our hope is that the annual MSO Young Artist Competition inspires and motivates young musicians toward high achievement.”
In addition to the Tchaikovsky Concerto, the program provides powerful works by diverse composers. Music Director Estigarribia states, “We’ll open with Overture by acclaimed living composer Jessie Montgomery, a piece with rich orchestral textures combining jazz harmonies and Baroque rhythms. The final piece on the program is Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, a piece with incredible depth, heavenly beauty, and exhilarating energy.”
The Mankato Symphony’s vision statement is Inspiring Music | Inspiring Community, a phrase that also serves as MSO’s theme for 2023/24. Inspiring the community with music is foremost in Estigarribia’s mind as he plans a season of music. “This season’s offerings are designed for everyone yearning for joy and positivity in life.” he states, “Escape reality for an evening and come be inspired by the electrifying energy of the MSO.”
The MSO’s program Free Family Fun: See, Hear, Play previews the New Paths concert in a special presentation to seniors, families and their children at the VINE Adult Community Center on September 20 at 12:00 noon and at the Saint Peter Public Library on September 23 at 10:30am. The See, Hear, Play events are free. Tickets for the concert on September 30 may be purchased online at MankatoSymphony.org or by phoning the box office at 507-933-0441.