Verdi Requiem – Opera in Disguise
Marlene’s Musings January, 2015 This is my fifth season as Music Director of the wonderful Wayzata Symphony Orchestra. I’m thrilled that a hallmark of the season will be our performance […]
Entries by Melissa Kalal
Never Say Never
Marlene’s Musings November, 2014 Never say Never When I was interviewed for this job, I was asked what repertoire I thought the orchestra could perform. I said, “We won’t be […]
Osmo Vänskä Joins the WSO!
Marlene’s Musings September, 2014 I’m SO excited to be starting my 5th season conducting the WSO – and what a season it will be! We open with Osmo Vänskä playing […]
World Premieres by Daniel Kallman
Marlene’s Musings April, 2014 Studying scores is a blast for me. But, studying a score that is brand new is even better. Holding a new score in your hands is […]
Inspiring Voices
Marlene’s Musings January, 2014 Inspiring Voices – singer, Bruce Henry and composer, Florence Price Back in 2003 I heard a podcast of Joe Carter and Krista Tippett (MPR “ON BEING”) […]
Mozart and Brahms
Marlene’s Musings November, 2013 At the age of 13, Mozart became concertmaster of the Salzburg court orchestra. Responsibilities for that position included conducting from the chair (Conductors, as they are […]
A Concert You Don’t Want to Miss
Marlene’s Musings September, 2013 It has been a fabulous summer! I have been to a few music festivals, conducted lots of repertoire, met fantastic musicians and learned a ton. But, […]
2013-14 Pre-Season Highlights
Marlene’s Musings August, 2013 Even though the full orchestra does not rehearse during the summer, members remain active serving the community of Wayzata. Here are the pre-season highlights from this […]
Carmina Burana
Marlene’s Musings February, 2013 The fickleness of fate, The treacherous territories of greed, lust and gluttony The joy of spring Love songs These are the age-old, timeless themes of Carl […]
Pictures at an Exhibition
Marlene’s Musings November, 2012 As I study the score for Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, I am in awe of the creative genius of the composer, who wrote the piece […]