Score Newsletter, March/April/May 2020

The

SCORE

SPRING 2020 — MAR | APR | MAY

THE MIRACLE Blake Pouliot/Kenneth Woods Conducts March 6 – 8

Dvořák Requiem Madison Symphony Chorus April 3 – 5

PIANO POWER Yefim Bronfman May 1 – 3

Greg Zelek with the Diapason Brass & Timpani May 5

Education & Community Engagement

Madison Symphony Orchestra League

Up Close & Musical expanding, youth concerts, and more...

Concert on the Green and other exciting upcoming events

News & Stories Musician news, Star Wars Live in Concert, and more...

CONTENTS The Miracle Guest Conductor Kenneth Woods and Violinist Blake Pouliot both make their Madison Symphony debut in a program featuring Haydn, Strauss, and Mendelssohn’s beloved Violin Concerto.

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Dvořák Requiem Composed at the peak of Dvořák’s career, the Requiem is a profound expression of his genius. The Madison Symphony Chorus under the direction of Beverly Taylor, and four incredible guest soloists, join the MSO on stage for this performance of epic proportions.

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Piano Power Russian-Israeli powerhouse Yefim Bronfman returns to perform Brahms’s first piano concerto. But the concert offers even more delights beginning with Weber’s classic Overture from Euryanthe, and followed by Stravinsky’s great ballet score Petrushka, a story of a Russian puppet come to life.

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Greg Zelek with Diaspason Brass and Tiampani Principal Organist Greg Zelek closes the 2019–2020 Overture Concert Organ season in an exciting performance featuring six members of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

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News & Stories Read about our Education & Community Engagement Programs, upcoming community events featuring MSO Musicians, Madison Symphony Orchestra League news, and more.

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Information, Subscriptions & Tickets Learn more about how to purchase tickets, group discounts, and 2020–2021 season subscriptions.

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Photo Credits: Cover (Chorus, Zelek); 3 (Chorus, Biere, Jutsum, Zelek, Links); 5 (Chorus), 7 (Zelek, Biere, Jutsum); 10 (Parties of Note), 14: Peter Rodgers; cover (Bronfman): Ivan Maly; 2 (Bronfman), 6: Frank Stewart; 2 (Woods): Chris Stock; 2 (Up Close & Musical), 3 (Concert on the Green), 8, 10 (Concert on the Green): Amandalynn Jones; 3 (The Final Forte, Schultz); 9, 12 (Schultz): Amanda Dill; 4 (Pouliot): Jeff Fasano; 4 (Woods): Benjamin Ealovega; 3 (Toomey), 5 (Toomey): Simon Pauly; 3 (Miller), 5 (Miller): Devon Cass; 3 (Boehler), 5 (Boheler): Toni Suter & Tanua Dorendorf

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THE MIRACLE

B LAKE POULIOT PLAYS MENDELSSOHN — KENNETH WOODS CONDUCTS

Discover more: madisonsymphony.org/miracle Magic of Music lunch with Guest Conductor Kenneth Woods Friday, March 6 Blackhawk Country Club Magic of Music Lunches provide an in-depth look at musical topics and introductions to guest artists over a delicious meal.

Your $30 ticket includes your meal and gratuity; a cash bar will also be available. Learn more: madisonsymphony.org/ magic

by John DeMain Our March concerts feature the debuts of Madison

It is with great excitement that we anticipate

born conductor Kenneth Woods and Canadian

the debut of virtuoso violinist, Blake Pouliot.

violinist Blake Pouliot. Our program features

This hound violinist has created a sensation in

three of the greatest German composers: Haydn,

Canada and beyond, and his performance of the

Mendelssohn, and Strauss. Dipping back into the

beloved Mendelssohn Violin Concerto should be

classical period, the program opens with our

thrilling, to say the least. There’s good reason the

first performances of Haydn’s Symphony No. 96,

Mendelssohn concerto continues to be performed

incorrectly subtitled as “The Miracle”, but a little

so often, as it is one of the great violin concertos

miracle of its own, nevertheless. One of the great

of all time. It is both virtuosic and melodic and

London symphonies of Haydn, these works were

is perfectly written for the violin. Personally, if

written for larger orchestras than Haydn was used

always makes me feel good when I either conduct

to, and should be a great fit for our orchestra.

it or listen to it.

I found the piece absolutely wonderful, and was delighted that Kenneth Woods wanted to do it.

Program Notes Excerpt to discover more, visit madisonsymphony.org/ miracle The “London” symphonies are the final, crowning glories of his long career as a symphonist. He seems to been inspired by large orchestras to create richlyscored works filled with orchestral color and novel effects. These symphonies also have a new harmonic subtlety and depth of development.

– Michael Allsen 4

continued on page 14

Kenneth Woods, Conductor, Blake Pouliot, Violin

Haydn Symphony No. 96, Miracle Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor

Strauss Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life) MAJOR FUNDING PROVIDED BY:

Cyrena and Lee Pondrom Skofronick Family Charitable Trust

Friday, Mar. 6 Saturday, Mar. 7 Sunday, Mar. 8

7:30 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY:

The Burish Group at UBS Chuck Bauer and Chuck Beckwith Marian and Jack Bolz Martha and Charles Casey Friends of Kenneth Woods Stafford Rosenbaum LLP

with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts

FEB Ann Toomey Soprano

Discover more: madisonsymphony.org/requiem

DVOŘÁK REQUIEM

Julie Miller Mezzo-soprano

Composed at the peak of Dvořák’s career, the Requiem is a profound expression of his genius.

by John DeMain It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Dvořák’s music

breathtaking beauty as only Dvořák can compose.

and try to program his work as often as possible.

This is our first performance of the work,

It is also important to me to research and explore

and Beverly Taylor and the Madison Symphony

pieces by the great composers such as Dvořák that

Chorus,

we haven’t yet performed. Such is the monumental

deeply committed to plumbing the depths of

Requiem. This is a wonderfully melodic work, and

the deeply felt and often inspired choral writing.

we have four really beautiful voices to sing their

The orchestra, of course, will play a big romantic

extensive solos. The chorus has thrilling sections

role typical of Dvořák’s instrumental writing of

to sing including a very exciting and dramatic Dies

the period. This piece was a resounding success

Irae. Dvořák, being a devout Catholic, follows the

at its first performances in Czechoslovakia, and I

form of the Requiem Mass, but adapts the work

know you will be thrilled to have a chance to hear

for the concert stage. The result is a concert of

it performed LIVE here in Madison.

singing

beautifully

these

days,

are

Eric Barry Tenor

Matt Boehler Bass John DeMain, Conductor Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director Ann Toomey, Soprano Julie Miller, Mezzo-soprano Eric Barry, Tenor Matt Boehler, Bass Dvořák Requiem

Friday, Apr. 3 Saturday, Apr. 4 Sunday, Apr. 5

7:30 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

Program Notes Excerpt to discover more, visit madisonsymphony.org/requiem

EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR:

Rosemarie Blancke, in loving memory of Fred Blancke

The Latin Requiem is a daunting choice for any composer, both in the challenge of the texts themselves, and in the idea of stepping into a venerable tradition. The first polyphonic settings of the text were composed in the 15th century, and there is an unbroken tradition of Requiem settings that continues down to our own day: there are hundreds of settings of the complete Mass for the Dead, or its individual movements. – Michael Allsen

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FEB

Free Open Rehearsal Thursday, April 30 Overture Hall The Madison Symphony Orchestra is one of the few orchestras in the nation to welcome the public into select rehearsals, free of charge. Reservations can be made beginning Monday, March 30. Learn more at madisonsymphony.org/ openrehearsal

Discover more: madisonsymphony.org/bronfman

PIANO POWER

by John DeMain Our final concert in the season, which, by the way,

ending. I am also a huge fan of Stravinsky and

is usually choral, was changed this year because

his music, and have been searching for the

we had a chance to bring back the great pianist

right moment to perform this work. Stravinsky

Yefim Bronfman. His awesome command of every

composed Petrushka in between his phenomenally

facet of piano technique is ideally suited for the

successful Firebird, and his epic Rite of Spring.

big technical demands of Brahms’s first concerto.

Having a puppet as the central figure involved in

But first, our program begins with one of the great

a love triangle, who is slain and then returns as a

overtures, Weber’s Euryanthe Overture, which we

ghost, is the theme of this ballet. Stravinsky later

haven’t played in quite some time. This is another

made a suite from this music, and that is what we

one of those situations where the opera failed due

are performing. This vibrant and brilliantly rhythmic

to a convoluted libretto, though possessing some

score for a large orchestra makes considerable

fine music, and the overture remains and is a hit

demands on the players, who always, at least in

with the public.

the MSO, love a challenge.

This will be followed by Stravinsky’s Petrushka, an exuberant ballet that, nevertheless, has a sad John DeMain, Conductor Yefim Bronfman, Piano

Weber Overture from Euryanthe Stravinsky Petrushka Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor

continued on page 14

Friday, May 1 Saturday, May 2 Sunday, May 3

7:30 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

Program Notes Excerpt to discover more, visit madisonsymphony.org/ bronfman Euryanthe contains some of Weber’s finest music...

It has been produced and recorded a few times in the last few decades, but despite the best efforts of Weber’s later champions, the opera Euryanthe is known today primarily for its fine overture.

– Michael Allsen

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MAJOR FUNDING PROVIDED BY:

Irving and Dorothy Levy Family Foundation, Inc. Kenneth A. Lattman Foundation, Inc.

Louise and Ernest Borden

ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY:

Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. Janet Hyde Fred Wileman

with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts

OV E R T U R E CO N C E R T O R G A N

John Aley Trumpet

Matthew Onstad Trumpet

ALL ORGAN TICKETS $20!

Linda Kimball Horn

Discover more: madisonsymphony.org/organzelek

GREG ZELEK WITH THE DIAPASON BRASS & TIMPANI In this sound spectacular, we introduce The

organ and timpani. The event will have me pulling

Diapason Brass & Timpani. The combined sonority

out all the stops on our great Overture Concert

of these six outstanding artists will complement

Organ to match the excitement and volume of

the already highly varied tonal range of the

my colleagues on stage!

Mighty Klais, charging this exciting repertoire with

extraordinary

brilliance.

This

unique

Mark Hetzler Trombone

– Greg Zelek

program of music written for a variety of pairings will include Gigout’s Grand Choeur Dialogue, a transcription of Rachmaninoff’s famous Vocalise

Tuesday, May 5

7:30 p.m.

Joshua Biere Tuba

performed on horn, and an arrangement of Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor for Stamm | R achmaninoff | Hillert | Gigout | DiLorenzo | Bach | Dinda Weaver | Wagner | Guilmant SPONSORS:

William Steffenhagen Elaine and Nicholas Mischler

John Jutsum Timpani

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News & Stories

EDUCATION HIGH NOTES UP CLOSE & MUSICAL® Up Close & Musical® has been bringing classical music into the classrooms of elementary schools throughout Dane County for over twenty years! During school visits, individual string quartet members of the Hunt Quartet visit separate classrooms to conduct exciting and interactive lessons that send students on a hunt for the concepts of melody, rhythm, expression, and form. They then demonstrate these concepts in a performance for the whole school. At the end of the school year all of the participating schools are invited to attend Symphony Soup, the capstone concert of the program. At this culminating concert, the Hunt Quartet is featured among a full symphony orchestra. The Hunt Quartet is comprised of UW-Madison graduate performance majors Ava Shadmani (violin), Rachel Reese (violin), Fabio Saggin (viola), and Alex Chambers-Ozasky (cello). 2019–2020 Participating Schools are Franklin Elementary (Madison), Lapham Elementary (Madison), Shorewood Elementary (Madison), Thoreau Elementary (Madison), Eagle Point Elementary (DeForest), and Sandhill Elementary (Stoughton).

We are excited that through grants and generous donations we will be able to double the Up Close & Musical program from six schools served to twelve schools served, starting in the 2020-2021 school year!

We will be adding another string quartet to the program to accomplish this goal. This will allow every student attending Symphony Soup to receive Up Close & Musical in their school, as preparation for the concert. We also plan to add a narrator and perhaps other characters to the concert, refine visuals, and solidify the repertoire performed. Symphony Soup is planned over a year in advance and has been nearly filled a year in advance in the past two years.

The primary purpose of Up Close & Musical and Symphony Soup is to provide an introduction and

foundation

musical

of

concepts

to

students in their first years of school. This foundation is meant to support what students are

already

learning

in the general music classroom they

are

and

what

expected

to achieve according to the National Core Arts

Standards

Wisconsin for Music.

The Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Education and Community Engagement Programs are made available for free or at a low cost to participants, but they are not free for us to present! To learn how you or your company/ organization can support these and other MSO programs, please contact Casey Oelkers, Director of Development, at (608) 260-8680 x228.

The Hunt Quartet is funded through a partnership between the Madison Symphony Orchestra and the Mead Witter School of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with major funding from David and Kato Perlman, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and other donors. Up Close & Musical is a program of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

Major funding for Up Close & Musical provided by Madison Symphony Orchestra League, John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation, Inc., and An Anonymous Friend. Additional funding provided by The Brittingham Fund, Inc., Marc Vitale and Darcy Kind, and the Wisconsin Arts Board. Wisconsin Arts Board comes with additional funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Major funding for Symphony Soup provided by Madison Symphony Orchestra League and John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation, Inc. Additional funding provided by Dane Arts, The Evjue Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of The Capital Times, Veridian Foundation, William J. and Joyce F. Wartmann Fund, An Anonymous Friend, Vogel Bros. Building Co., Woodman’s Food Markets, and the Wisconsin Arts Board. Dane Arts comes with additional funds from the Endres Mfg. Company Foundation, The Evjue Foundation, Inc., charitable arm of The Capital Times, the W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation, and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation. Wisconsin Arts Board comes with additional funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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and

Standards

EDUCATION HIGH NOTES

News & Stories

BOLZ YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION/THE FINAL FORTE Wednesday, February 26, 6:45 p.m.

Overture Hall Join the excitement as the four finalists of the 2020 Bolz Young Artist Competition compete for top honors in Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte with Kyle Knox and the MSO! The concert is free and open to the public, and will be broadcast live on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio. Concert reservations can be made online at madisonsymphony.org/ finalforte or by calling the MSO office at (608) 257-3734. The two winners of The Final Forte will perform the following day for an audience of their peers at the MSO’s 2020 Spring Young People’s Concert.

Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte concert and broadcasts are the result of a historic partnership among the Madison Symphony Orchestra, PBS Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Public Radio.

Major funding provided by Diane Ballweg, Stephen Morton, W. Jerome Frautschi, A. Paul Jones Charitable Antonio Wu, second place winner of The Final Forte 2019, performs with the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

Trust, Julie and Larry Midtbo, Fred and Mary Mohs, and Elizabeth Olson, with additional funding from Bell Laboratories, James Dahlberg and Elsebet Lund, Kato Perlman, Cyrena and Lee Pondrom, Sentry Insurance Foundation, Darcy Kind and Marc Vitale, Dr. A. Beyer-Mears, Nick and Judith Topitzes, the Focus Fund for Young Performers, and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.

LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA SINGS Thursday, May 21 Capitol Theater, Overture Center (These concerts are not open to the general public) Invited to become a Link Up partner by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute in 2013, the MSO is now one of over 100 orchestras world-wide to co-present this highly interactive education program. Link Up unites the classroom and the concert hall by giving students in grades 3 through 5 the opportunity to explore music through a yearlong curriculum of activities, during which they learn to play some of classical music’s most famous melodies on the soprano recorder.

During the culminating concert, students will bring their recorders to Overture Center to play, sing, and move with the MSO during Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” “Simple Gifts,” and other works. During the 2019 – 2020 season, 1,500 students from 25 schools are participating in the MSO’s Link Up Program. Learn more at madisonsymphony.org/linkup.

Major funding for Link Up provided by An Anonymous Friend.

Additional funding provided by Madison Symphony Orchestra League, U.S. Bank, Heid Music & Heid Family Foundation, Carl M. Hudig, and the Wisconsin Arts Board, with additional funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Madison Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing outstanding educational and community engagement opportunities throughout south-central Wisconsin.

Reaching over 25,000 children and adults each year, we engage music enthusiasts of all ages and abilities through our partnerships with schools, community centers, and assisted living facilities.

Join us as we embark on a journey to enrich, engage and inspire!

Discover more: madisonsymphony.org/ education

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News & Stories

MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE NEWS CONCERT ON THE GREEN Monday, June 15, 2020 Bishops Bay Country Club Concert on the Green returns for its 26th year! Come and enjoy an evening concert on the shores of Lake Mendota, with lawn reception and picnic dinner, plus an optional golf outing during the day.

The concert will feature one of the 2020 Bolz Young Artist Competition winners. All proceeds benefit our Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement Programs. These programs significantly impact more than 25,000 individuals throughout Wisconsin each year.

There are several ways for MSOL members and friends to be involved: • Join the COG 2020 Committee • Work on the day of the event, either with golf registration or evening hospitality and raffle • Become an event sponsor ($500 and upwards) • Create a golf foursome and enjoy a day with friends on the Bishops Bay Country Club golf course • At a minimum, attend with your spouse and/or friend. Consider reserving a table for eight!

No matter how you participate, you will have a fairytale experience! For more information, please contact committee chairs, Bob Dinndorf or Nick Mischler: bdinndorf@gmail.com or nicholas.mischler@gmail.com Please visit www.madisonsymphony.org/cog in March to purchase tickets or a table.

SEE YOU ON JUNE 15TH!

PARTIES OF NOTE The MSOL’s Passport to Parties of Note is available both online and in Passport format with exciting offerings: tours of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the historic Governor’s Mansion, and historic home areas, plus hands-on work with glass art — and more. Online reservations have quickly filled some of the events, but a waiting list is maintained in the event of cancellations. Do enjoy MSOL’s fund- and friend-raising events!

Visit madisonsymphony.org/parties for more information.

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Greg Zelek and Susan Lee perform during last year’s Soiree of Song Party.

MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE NEWS INSTRUMENT RESCUE

UPCOMING EVENTS

A huge thank you to everyone who donated an

Visit madisonsymphony.org/msol to register for, and

instrument for the benefit of Madison middle

learn more about, these and other MSOL events:

school students in need. Many more young people

Mid-Winter Luncheon

will be able to experience the joy of music as a result of these donations. When the instruments are all refurbished and distributed to the schools at the completion of the program we will have the final number of instruments donated. We have heard wonderful stories from members who have given a variety of instruments such as drums, guitar, flutes, saxophone, French horn, violin, viola, euphonium, trombone, and clarinet.

Thanks also goes to Madison West Rotary which spearheaded this effort, in connection

March 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Our annual Mid-Winter Luncheon will be held at Nakoma Golf Club with the theme “Serving our Hometown School District with Music: A discussion with Madison Metropolitan School District’s Arts Teacher Leader, Randal Swiggum.”

Cost is $25/person. Guests welcome!

Behind the Music: Discovery Talk April 30, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Join

Madison

Symphony

Chorus

Director

with the Madison Area Music Association. MSOL

Beverly Taylor at the home of Ledell Zellers & Simon

was happy to communicate this drive to our

Anderson ahead of the MSO’s May concert weekend,

membership. Appreciation also goes to Ward-

Piano Power, featuring pianist Yefim Bronfman. The

Brodt, Heid Music, and Greg Ginter’s Guitar shop

evening will also feature a social hour with wine and

who offered to repair pro bono instruments

hors d’oeuvres. Free for all MSOL members.

donated through the end of 2019. We hope

Spring Luncheon and Annual Meeting

to repeat this drive next fall, if you missed this

May 14, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

opportunity to donate an instrument.

Madison

Symphony

Orchestra

Part of the Madison community since 1956, the Madison Symphony Orchestra League (MSOL) Is an organization of more than 350 members committed to supporting the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s artistic, financial and educational mission.

Discover more: madisonsymphony.org/ msol

All MSOL members and guests are invited to the Spring Luncheon and Annual Meeting at Maple

2019 SYMPHONY GALA The

News & Stories

Bluff Country Club. Lunch will be served, followed League

presented Marian Bolz with the John DeMain Award for Outstanding Commitment to Music at this year’s Symphony Gala held Friday, September 13 at The Madison Concourse Hotel. The award recognizes an individual or individuals for their longstanding and unwavering support of the League, the Madison Symphony Orchestra and music in the community.

More than 200 guests enjoyed a memorable and musical evening honoring Marian as a tireless and passionate advocate for the Symphony’s youth education efforts and community outreach.

Her dedication and personal commitment of time and talent to our community have been truly extraordinary and have made Madison a better place in many ways.

The Gala, co-chaired by Darcy Kind and Mary Lang Sollinger, generated approximately $63,000 to benefit the MSO’s nationally-recognized Education and Community and Engagement Programs.

by a musical presentation by one of the Final Forte Finalists and business meeting.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Christine Beatty Barbara and Norman Berven Barbara Brown Susan Katherine Byram Larry and Mary Kay Burton Colleen Chase Stephen Crocker Linda Hogle Susan Lee and Paul Vincent Jobst Gundega Kosrts Genvieve Murtaugh Mary and Richard Rehberg Barbara and Richard Schnell Jacqui Shanda Kelly A Thompson-Frater Karen Sue and Jerome Wallander Lynette Kay Fons and Bernard H. White

Save the date for our 2020 Symphony Gala: Friday, September 18.

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News & Stories

CELEBRATING YOUR SUPPORT SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: BMO HARRIS BANK

A history of partnership with BMO Harris Bank Each season, the Madison Symphony Orchestra relies on generous financial support from companies, individuals, and organizations who share our belief that great music is for everyone. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight one of our valued corporate giving partners, BMO Harris Bank, who is sponsoring our upcoming May Piano Power concerts. BMO has partnered with the Madison Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years to help us present our subscription concert season.

With a long history of serving customers in Madison and throughout the state of Wisconsin, BMO is a bank committed to putting their purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life into action. In addition to providing customers with a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services, BMO is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and is dedicated to helping their community partners achieve sustainable solutions to create a brighter future.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is not just the right thing to do, it’s an essential

“

My planned gift will support the MSO’s educational initiatives, which provide children with an exciting introduction to the symphony orchestra.

Elizabeth A. Conklin

part of our culture, the very fabric of our organization here at BMO,” wrote David Casper, U.S. Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group in their Spring 2019 Community Impact Review.

BMO Harris Bank donated $18 million to over 900 non-profit organizations in 2018.

“At BMO, we understand that the performing arts can have a significant and positive impact on communities,” said Jeff Ticknor, Group Managing Director for Commercial Banking, Wisconsin, BMO Harris Bank, and a member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra Board.

“We are proud to partner with the Madison Symphony Orchestra to bring high quality concerts to audiences in Madison and beyond.”

We at the Madison Symphony Orchestra are grateful for BMO’s contributions this season including underwriting for A Madison Symphony Christmas in December 2019 and the Piano Power concerts in May 2020. We look forward to partnering with BMO again next season and beyond. Please join us in thanking BMO for their support!

MEET OUR NEW STAFF MEMBER We are pleased to introduce Leah Schultz as our new Photo by Amandalynn Jones

Manager of Grants and Corporate Giving. Working in the Madison music world for nearly a decade, Leah brings much knowledge of the local arts scene to her new role at the MSO. “I am so excited to be serving

For more information or to plan your gift to the MSO, contact Casey Oelkers at 608-260-8680 x228 or coelkers@madisonsymphony.org.

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the amazing audience, donors, and musicians of the Madison Symphony Orchestra!” Leah said. Please join us in giving Leah a warm welcome!

MSO MUSICIAN NEWS BACH AROUND THE CLOCK

News & Stories

ANCORA STRING QUARTET & FRIENDS

Sat. Mar. 28

Sat. May 23

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

First Unitarian Society

Come enjoy the music of J.S. Bach at this annual community

Celebrate spring with Appalachian Spring, in Copland’s

celebration. This 12-hour event is free and open to the public.

original chamber version for 13 players, and stay for the

Selected musicians and ensembles will give a preview

popular Piano Quintet in E-flat Major. The Ancora String

performance on Sun. Mar. 1, starting at 12:30 pm on the

Quartet, with MSO violinists Wes Luke and Robin Ryan,

Sunday Afternoon Live from the Chazen concert series.

and MSO violist Marika Fischer Hoyt, and cellist Benjamin

The festival program includes solo keyboard works, violin

Whitcomb, will be joined by violinists Suzanne Beia and

sonatas, Cantatas (including the Coffee Cantata!), Chorales,

Laura Burns, violist Christopher Dozoryst, cellist Mark

and more; this festival gives everyone in the community,

Bridges, bassist David Scholl, flutist Linda Pereksta,

from beginners to college students, faculty, amateurs,

clarinetist Kai-Ju Ho, bassoonist Cindy Cameron-Fix, and

and professionals alike (including many members of the

pianist Jess Salek. Learn more at ancoraquartet.com.

Madison Symphony), with everything from a viola da gamba ensemble to a saxophone ensemble, the chance to celebrate the 335th birthday of this sublime composer. Learn more at bachclock.com.

JUST BACH CONCERTS Weds. Mar. 25, Apr. 15, May 20 Luther Memorial Church

CON VIVO!... MUSIC WITH LIFE Sat. June 6 First Congregational Church con vivo!… music with life celebrates Beethoven’s 250th birthday with a concert of his chamber music! Tickets at the door: $20/$15 students/seniors. MSO members include violinists Olga Pomolova and Kathryn Taylor, Janse

This series of free midday concerts features Bach Cantatas,

Vincent on viola, Maggie Darby Townsend, cello and Dan

instrumental solos and chamber music, performed one-on-

Lyons, pianist. Learn more at convivomusicwithlife.org.

a-part on period instruments. The series enjoyed a successful launch last year, and continues this year as part of the Music at Midday series at Luther Memorial. MSO violinist Leanne League and MSO violist Marika Fischer Hoyt are among the players. Learn more at justbach.org.

MADISON AREA HANDBELL CHOIR Fri. May 15 & Sat. May 16 Led by music director and MSO percussionist Nicholas Bonaccio, the Madison Area Concert Handbells (MACH), are excited to announce their Spring 2020 concerts entitled MACH Radio. Now in their 22nd year of musical service to

STEPHANIE JUTT PERFORMS IN CUBA Principal flutist Stephanie Jutt has recently returned from her second musical engagement in Havana, Cuba, where she performed a recital by American composers at the Oratorio San Felipe Neri and taught masterclasses at the preeminent Conservatorio Roldan. Stephanie was joined by New York Philharmonic flutist Mindy Kaufman and expert repairman, Phil Unger, of the Flute Center of New York. The three brought much needed instrumental repair supplies, sheet music and a lot of goodwill to the brilliant young flutists of Havana.

the region, MACH is an auditioned community handbell choir that performs on over six octaves of handbells and seven octaves of handchimes, the largest assemblage of such instruments in Wisconsin. Join the choir for a varied program of music that one might hear while surfing through radio stations, with works by artists ranging from Ludwig Van Beethoven and Dave Brubeck to Taylor Swift and Michael Jackson. Concert times, venues and other information can be found at madisonhandbells.org.

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News & Stories

APRIL, MAY CONCERTS

THE MIRACLE continued from pg. 4

by John DeMain

After intermission, we have assembled a massive orchestra to play one of the great Strauss tone poems, Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life, in translation). The hero is none other than Strauss himself, and his relationship with music, his critics, and his other works, many of which are quoted in this work. His wife is also represented with extended violin solos. These works are virtuosic for the orchestra, and make extreme and exciting demands from the players. Often sonically thrilling and lyrically beautiful, Strauss’s tone poems are a wonder of orchestral writing, thrilling for both players and conductor to perform, and dazzling to the ears of the audience. Don’t miss this Marchfest of great German music.

PIANO POWER continued from pg. 6

by John DeMain

Because of the symphonic largesse of the Brahms first piano concerto, we will play it after the intermission. The work went through several incarnations before it ended up as the brilliant piano concerto that we all know and love. Both the Stravinsky and the Brahms will be celebratory and exciting, and, I hope, a deeply satisfying conclusion to our 2019/20 season.

As always, the musicians and I want to thank you for your part, the audience, without whom we would not exist, but together we can experience the beauty of live large orchestra performances of great music in our beautiful temple of music, Overture Hall.

UPCOMING EVENTS / NEWS & STORIES MADISON LINKS BRINGS STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO CHRISTMAS CONCERT On Sunday, December 15, 2019, the Madison Metropolitan Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, partnered with the Madison Symphony Orchestra Board to give guests from diverse Madison communities an opportunity to come to the Overture Center to enjoy A Madison Symphony Christmas. Members of the MSO Board provided 110 complimentary tickets for this event. Organizations which received the tickets include the One City Learning Center, the Mt. Zion Junior Missionaries, the Mt. Zion Academic Learning Center, and families from other local African-American churches as well as individuals from other social institutions. Jacqueline Rodman and Marilyn Ruffin gave a docent presentation for the attendees, after which they participated in caroling in the Rotunda lobby prior to the concert.

A reception followed in the Promenade Lobby. The Links, Incorporated, is one of the oldest and largest of predominately African-American, not-for-profit, service organizations in the nation and the Madison Chapter is committed to education, civic, and intercultural programs and projects for K-12 students. Learn more about them at madisonlinks.wordpress.com.

STAR WARS LIVE IN CONCERT Saturday, May 30 | Overture Hall Audiences will have the opportunity to travel through time to “a galaxy far, far away” experiencing Star Wars like never before. This concert features the full-length iconic film Star Wars: A New Hope accompanied by the Madison Symphony Orchestra performing John Williams’ thrilling and Academy Award-winning musical score. Learn more and buy tickets at overture.org/events/ star-wars-live.

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FIND OUT MORE ONLINE! Get the latest details about our upcoming concerts, performances, and events, 24/7 on your computer, tablet or mobile phone: madisonsymphony.org/calendar.

222 W. Washington Ave. Suite 460 Madison, WI 53703

B E E T H OV E N & B E YO N D

Marc Fink

Our 20/21 season is your opportunity to celebrate the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven and share the excitement of music that made him one of the most beloved composers ever. Beyond Beethoven’s great violin concerto and treasures of the most popular works from his Heroic Period, you’ll experience masterpieces by Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Dvořák, Rachmaninoff, Ravel and more! To mark this special occasion, we’ve invited many of your favorite top-tier guest artists to join us. This is a celebration you’ll remember forever. Every concert is an “Ode to Joy” in its own way.

20/21 SEASON

You can view our 20/21 season brochure and subcribe online now!

Gil Shaham

Visit madisonsymphony.org/20-21 or call (608) 257-3734.

We welcome the opportunity to answer questions and assist you with your renewal or new subscription.

NOV 13–15 Olga Kern Thomas Mesa

Garrick Ohlsson

MAR 12–14 B E E T H OV E N & B E YO N D

New subscribers SAV E UP TO 50 % !

Subscriptions available now.

James Ehnes

DI S COV E R MOR E & S UBS C R I BE : madisonsymphony.org/20-21

Programs, dates, and artists subject to change.

PHOTOS: (Kern): Chris Lee; (Mesa): Lisa Marie-Mazzucco; (Shaham): Luke Ratray; (Ehnes): Benjamin Ealovega; (Ohlsson): Dario Acosta; (Fink, DeMain): Peter Rodgers; (Greenholtz): Chris Hynes

Naha Greenholtz

About the Madison Symphony Orchestra With a mission to produce high-quality performances and to educate and entertain audiences of all ages, the Madison Symphony Orchestra enters its 95th season in 2020–2021. Hailed as a “gifted orchestra builder” by The New York Times, Music Director John DeMain has grown the Symphony into one of America’s leading regional orchestras, enriching the cultural and educational environment of Madison and the surrounding area with exquisite performances of the great masterworks and top-tier guest artists from around the world.

In addition, our Education and Community Engagement Programs bring the joy of music to more than 25,000 children and adults annually. These programs are consistently recognized by national funding agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts, the League of American Orchestras and the Society for the Arts in Healthcare.

As a resident company of the Overture Center for the Arts, we call Overture Hall home to all Madison Symphony Orchestra concerts and Overture Concert Organ performances, as well as our majestic Klais organ. Joined by the world’s leading guest artists, we are proud to present performances designed to delight your ears and deliver and acoustical experience unlike any other in this world-class concert hall.

We invite you explore this page and all the ways you can experience the magic of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and learn more by visiting our website at madisonsymphony.org.

MSO TICKET INFORMATION BUY SINGLE TICKETS

SYMPHONY SUBSCRIPTIONS

Single tickets for 2019–2020 Symphony concerts and Overture Concert Organ performances are available at madisonsymphony.org and through the Overture Center Box Office.

2020–2021 subscriptions are available now! New subscribers save up to 50% off single ticket prices, and get the best seats before single tickets go on sale Saturday, August 15, 2020. If you’re already part of our subscriber family, renew by May 7 to keep your seats. Learn more about the season on the back page of this publication or at madisonsymphony.org/20-21.

Symphony Single tickets for 2019–2020 season concerts are $19–$95. Seniors (62 and over) and students save 20% in select seating areas, and students can purchase up to two $15 or $20 Student Rush tickets on the day of the concert at the Overture Center Box Office. Discounts are subject to availability and cannot be combined.

Organ All tickets to any 2019–2020 Overture Concert Organ performance are just $20. Students can purchase up to two $10 Student Rush tickets on the day of the concert at the Overture Center Box Office. Discounts are subject to availability and cannot be combined.

GROUP RATES Groups of 10 or more receive a 25% discount for MSO concerts and a 10% discount for Organ performances. 2019–2020 group rate tickets start at just $13.50. Call (608) 257-3734 x222 or visit madisonsymphony.org/groups.

CONTACT Madison Symphony Orchestra Administrative Office 222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 460 Madison, WI 53703 Subscriptions/Info: (608) 257-3734 info@madisonsymphony.org madisonsymphony.org Overture Center Box Office 201 State St. Madison, WI 53703 Single Tickets: (608) 258-4141 Ticket Office Hours: Mon. – Fri., 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Sat. 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Additional hours on Sunday event days. overturecenter.org

The SCORE is published three to four times per concert season for members and friends of the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Subscribe to the print and/or the online edition at madisonsymphony.org/ score Editor: Amanda Dill Creative Director: Peter Rodgers Design: Bob Marshall Contributing Writers: Cathy Buege Janet Cabot John DeMain Amanda Dill Lisa Kjentvet Casey Oelkers Jacqueline Rodman Leah Schultz Kathryn Schwarzmann Greg Zelek Print Partner

Performance Partners

Programs, artists and dates subject to change.

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