A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor

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“Philip and I have performed together with a long list of great orchestras, among them the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony. After years on the road, we brought the show home to St. Paul and the phenomenal Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, The Fitzgerald audience was treated to favorites like Homage to the Aunts, Lake Wobegon Hymn, Seven Love Sonnets, Habanera, Song of the Exiles, and much more. The Saint Paul Chamber was the first orchestra I ever heard, when I was a freshman at the U, and so in winding up my modest orchestral career, I chose to do it at home with the hometown band.”
— Garrison Keillor

Track Listing:

1. My Minnesota Home
2. Let's Do It
3. Will You Go, Darling, Go
4. Seven Sonnets
5. Le Noir Sur Le Guy
6. Limericks (Waltz Around Again, Willie)
7. Habanera
8. Homage to the Aunts/Goodbye to my Uncles
9. Lake Wobegon Hymn
10. Song of the Exiles
11. Cat, You Better Come Home

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About the Performers:

Garrison Keillor
He is a humorist, best-selling author, and radio personality who has used his storytelling expertise to take listeners on journeys across the country and into their own hearts and minds.

Philip Brunelle
Most kids badger their parents for the latest games and toys. Not six-year-old Philip Brunelle. He wanted the vocal score to Handel's "Messiah." Now an internationally renowned conductor, choral scholar and performer, he is the founder and artistic director of the Minneapolis-based VocalEssence, one of America's premier choral arts organizations. In 2002, Brunelle presided over the Sixth World Symposium on Choral Music, and he has appeared as guest conductor with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Berkshire Choral Festival, the Swedish Royal Opera, the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony, among others. His many awards include a Kodály Medal from the government of Hungary and the Royal Order of the Polar Star from the King of Sweden. In 2005, he was named honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Brunelle appeared on the very first broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion, July 6, 1974. He's been a frequent guest on the show ever since.
Read our interview with Philip »

Richard Dworsky
Richard Dworsky, who week in and week out leads A Prairie Home Companion's Guy's All-Star Shoe Band, is a classically trained pianist and composer who rocks, swings, plays great blues and gospel, tears it up on Hammond B3 organ, and keeps up with world-class pickers playing his unique "bluegrass piano" style. He writes all APHC's script themes and underscores, and during his 16-year stint, he has accompanied guests from James Taylor to Renée Fleming.

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, now in its 53rd season, is the nation's only full-time professional chamber orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. In collaboration with five artistic partners — Roberto Abbado, Edo de Waart, Dawn Upshaw, Christian Zacharias and Thomas Zehetmair — the 34 virtuoso musicians present more than 130 concerts and educational programs each year, and are regularly heard on Performance Today and SymphonyCast.

The SPCO has released 67 recordings, commissioned 128 new works, and performed the world premiere of 49 additional compositions. The SPCO has earned the distinction of 15 ASCAP awards for adventurous programming. Renowned for its artistic excellence and remarkable versatility of musical styles, the SPCO tours nationally and internationally, including performances in premier venues in Europe, Asia and South America.

From the Publisher (Highbridge Company):

In a wonderful evening of storytelling, laughter, and plenty of music, Garrison Keillor is joined by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, led by Philip Brunelle and accompanied by Richard Dworsky.

A warm and wonderful evening of songs, stories, and the sounds of Keillor's "hometown band," the world-renowned Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. All-new Keillor material, never before available on a recording.