The week’s five best Twin Cities classical concerts
Medieval gets modern
Picture a trio singing medieval works. Add newly penned pieces and plenty of electronics. Then squint a little, adjusting for the unexpected. Liquid Music and the Walker Art Center present an evening that toggles between 12th-century chants and world premieres. Vocal trio ModernMedieval — founded by Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek, of the early-music group Anonymous 4, plus Eliza Bagg and Abigail Lennox of the buzzy, beautiful Roomful of Teeth — will perform new works by Ben Frost, Angélica Negrón and Julianna Barwick. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Summit Center for Arts & Innovation, St. Paul; $25, 612-291-1144, or liquidmusicseries.org)
JENNA ROSS
Powerhouse string player
She’s still in her early 30s, but Russian violinist Alina Ibragimova already boasts a formidable reputation on the classical circuit. Her Minnesota Orchestra debut features Schumann’s underappreciated Violin Concerto. Also on the program are Minneapolis composer Libby Larsen’s “Symphony: Water Music” and Schubert’s “Unfinished” symphony. (11 a.m. Thu., 8 p.m. Fri., Orchestra Hall, Mpls.; $12-$102, 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org)
When I grow up
“How do we become who we are?” With that question, vocal group Cantus launches into its new “When I Grow Up” program. Themes of adolescence, companionship, parenthood, masculinity and mortality are examined, with a sequence of music drawn from different countries and periods. (11 a.m. Thu., Colonial Church of Edina; 7:30 p.m. Fri., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; 3 p.m. Sun., Wayzata Community Church; $10-$43, 612-435-0055 or cantussings.org)
Best of both possible worlds
Leonard Bernstein’s 1956 operetta “Candide” was written at the same time as “West Side Story” — and obliterated by the musical’s global popularity. Thank goodness audiences gradually awoke to the wonderful music of “Candide,” closing the gap in terms of reputation. VocalEssence and Theater Latté Da team up for their first-ever collaboration, framing Bernstein’s Voltairian satire as a 1930s radio drama. Phinehas Bynum stars as Candide. Theater Latté Da’s Peter Rothstein directs this semi-staged co-presentation, with VocalEssence founder Philip Brunelle leading the chorus and orchestra. (7:30 p.m. Thu. & Fri., 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Cowles Center, Mpls.; $35-$45, 612-371-5600 or minnesotaorchestra.org)
Baroque beauties
Some of the most beautiful music of the French baroque period was written by Jean-Marie Leclair. Three of his pieces are featured in a recital by baroque violinists Kayo Saito and Marc Levine, gambist Tulio Rondón and harpsichordist Tami Morse. Also featured is music by Bach and Rameau. (7:30 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun.; Baroque Room, St. Paul; $15-$20, thebaroqueroom.com)
TERRY BLAIN