St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Presents Life After Death
The collaborative concert at the Ordway features new works and exploration of transitory states.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Classical
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The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Liquid Music joined forces at the Ordway to present a concert series titled Life After Death. Conducted by Teddy Abrams and featuring soloist Eliza Bagg, the program explores spectral themes through experimental compositions.
Why it matters
The program was specifically designed to investigate transitory states and the spectral possibilities of music. It brings together a mix of contemporary premieres and established works to push the boundaries of traditional chamber performances.
Tickets for the event were priced between $20 and $80. The program included works by four composers, incorporating a 1905 spiritualist text regarding occult phenomena and bodily decomposition.
The players
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
This professional chamber orchestra is based in Saint Paul and frequently commissions new contemporary musical works.
Liquid Music
This organization specializes in collaborative and interdisciplinary musical projects that often push beyond traditional concert formats.
Teddy Abrams
He is a conductor recognized for his versatile approach to classical and contemporary programming.
Eliza Bagg
She is a vocalist known for her specialized performances in contemporary and experimental musical settings.
Ellis Ludwig-Leone
He is a composer who contributed two world premieres to this specific collaborative program.
The details
The performances balanced experimental approaches with accessible compositions, notably in the piece Begin, where each instrument played notes independently. The concert also featured the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra-commissioned works Hexentanz and The Visitor alongside music by Philip Glass and Maurice Ravel.
Timeline
The concert performances occurred on October 24, 2026, at 7 p.m. and October 25, 2026, at 2 p.m.
The spiritualist text incorporated into The Visitor dates back to 1905.
Industry Dynamics
This performance follows the pattern set by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Liquid Music series, which consistently bridges the gap between traditional orchestral structures and modern experimental art. Such collaborations reflect a growing strategy among regional ensembles to engage younger audiences through avant-garde programming.
Attendees were able to access these experimental performances at the Ordway with tickets priced between $20 and $80. The event provided local audiences with the opportunity to hear multiple world and Midwest premieres performed by a professional chamber orchestra.
The takeaway
This production demonstrates how orchestras can revitalize interest by incorporating narrative-driven, contemporary themes into their repertoire. Readers interested in classical music can look for similar experimental programs that utilize unique historical texts to create immersive concert experiences.
Further reading
For more on upcoming performances, visit the Classical section.
More information
For more details on future programs, visit the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra ticket portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Twin Cities.
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