Minnesota Orchestra concert conducted by Thomas Søndergård with Jon Kimura Parker at the piano, featuring Grieg, Hillborg and Sibelius.
The Minnesota Orchestra is back at Orchestra Hall for a three-night run on Thursday, Nov. 5, Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, with music director Thomas Søndergård on the podium. The program is built around Nordic composers: selections from Edvard Grieg's Norwegian Dances, Anders Hillborg's Piano Concerto No. 2 (also known as the MAX Concerto), and Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 2.
The Hillborg concerto is the center of the evening, and Grammy Award-winning pianist Jon Kimura Parker is back at the hall to play it. It was written for Emanuel "Manny" AX, who served as the orchestra's creative partner for Summer at Orchestra Hall from 2019 to 2025. The Sibelius symphony rounds out the bill; the composer wrote it while on holiday in Italy, though he finished it back in Finland.
These concerts open the Nordic Soundscapes Festival, a celebration of Nordic repertoire led by Søndergård, who began his fourth season with the orchestra in September 2026. If you're interested in the cultural side of the music, there are pre-concert activities held in partnership with the Vesterhelm Museum. They'll be spotlighting Norwegian music and folk art with Hardanger fiddle performances, rosemaling demonstrations, Finnish rag rug weaving, and storytelling.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Minneapolis and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The performance runs about two hours, including intermission, and doors open 90 minutes early. You can catch it on any of the three nights: Thursday, Nov. 5, Friday, Nov. 6, or Saturday, Nov. 7, at Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall.
