The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra: Julie Albers Plays Elgar’s Cello Concerto

Three contemplative works reflect change and transformation. First, Franz Joseph Haydn’s “The Philosopher” evolves from a somber march into a spirited, galloping hunt between God and an unrepentant sinner reluctant to change their ways. Giya Kancheli’s “Magnum Ignotum” (“The Great Anonymous”) marks a progression from incantation to vocal praise and the final, emphatic bells symbolize a transformation journey through spiritual reflection and the search for meaning in the divine mystery. Featuring principal cello, Julie Albers, Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto, composed post-World War I, speaks to the enduring human spirit and the potential for renewal and hope amid profound change.