“An eruption occurred about halfway through the Minnesota Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve concert at an Orchestra Hall devoid of audience members. When music director Osmo Vänskä took the podium for the first time since early October, a catharsis gushed forth,” writes Rob Hubbard in Friday’s (1/1) Star Tribune (Minneapolis). “The piece was ‘Starburst’ by American composer Jessie Montgomery…. This wind-whipped work for strings became an onstage storm in the hands of Vänskä and the 24 masked and socially distanced string players gracing the stage…. Even though I was only experiencing it via computer … it was liberating…. Those seeking layers of emotion more befitting the close of such a tumultuous year can find them in an Antonín Dvořák Nocturne … conjuring a sad beauty from this short work that started life as a string quartet movement…. An encore of ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ arranged by Arthur Luck [was] touchingly tender, especially when, at its conclusion, the players stomped their feet in farewell to violist Thomas Turner, who’s retiring after 26 years with the orchestra.” Also included on the concert were selections from Ulysses Kay’s Six Dances for String Orchestra and music by J.S. Bach and Mozart.