MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES

Not a crime book series, this is a many-years-old music series established in the Saint Anthony Park neighborhood of Saint Paul. Because I attend and support such an excellent series, I occasionally review  concerts, even though this is not a crime novel. The music series takes place five Sunday afternoons each year in the sanctuary of the United Church of Christ, formerly a Congregational Church. This was the final concert of the current season. The Miro quartet is a world-recognized groupof string musicians. Their collaborator for this program included virtuoso saxophone artist Steven Banks. He plays soprano and tenor instruments in the concert, including the fine original piece, he composed. It's title, "Come What May."  The rest of the concert included an ancient piece by Hildigard of Birgen, two delightful works by Caroline Shaw, sweet, joyful, precise and moving, then part of Beethoven's String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132. Throughout, the concert, including the final suburbly moving piece, a 1994 suite from Osvaldo Golijov titled "The Dreams and Prayers  of Isaac the Blind," Throughout, the musicians performed  with precision, complex coordination, and considerable emotion over a wide range of musicianship. It was a very moving concert, enhanced by the significant architecture and sound characteristics of the venue. As a concert venue for smaller groups and solo performers, this place is surely one of the finest in the Twin Cities.