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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

The

Score

Noteworthy news from the Madison Symphony Orchestra

Ultimate Tchaikovsky: The Last Symphony with Stephen Hough, Piano Photo by Christian Steiner

Our February concerts bring the return of the great British pianist Stephen Hough, who has never failed to dazzle our audience with his stunning technique and brilliant musicianship. He will play the Madison Symphony premiere of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, which he has recorded, along with all of Saint-Saëns’ piano works, to great critical acclaim. This concerto should receive an absolutely definitive performance by Mr. Hough, with our orchestra.

PROGRAM

Our program opens with another first performance by the Madison Symphony: Samuel Barber’s Second Essay for Orchestra. I have long been an admirer of Samuel Barber and continue to regard him as one of America’s great composers, alongside Charles Ives and Aaron Copland. This piece was written during World War II and is influenced by this tragic time in our history.

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique)

After intermission, we will hear one of the great symphonies of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, his Symphony No. 6, and perhaps his most personal and autobiographical. This piece is a favorite of mine, and it reaches deep into one’s perception of life with all its joys and sorrows. It is a work that should elicit deep pathos and great beauty from our luscious string section. These concerts are a perfect way to warm your heart and soul in the middle of our Wisconsin winters!

Major funding provided by

Additional funding provided by

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Irving and Dorothy Levy Family Foundation, Inc.

Boardman & Clark LLP

Samuel Barber Second Essay for Orchestra Camille Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 5 (The Egyptian)

John DeMain, Conductor Stephen Hough, Piano Prelude Discussion (pre-concert talk) Speaker: Randal Swiggum Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director

LGBTQ community members/friends: You’re invited to attend this concert (for a discounted price) and enjoy an afterparty at Fresco on Sat., Feb. 18! Visit madisonsymphony.org/out for more details and to register.

Photo by Bill Fritsch/ HarperFritsch Studios

John DeMain

FEBRUARY 17, 18, 19

Stephen Morton

Forte Research Systems & Nimblify

3 Easy Ways to Buy Tickets: Online at madisonsymphony.org

(608) 258-4141

James and Joan Johnston

with funds from t and the National E

In person at the Overture Center Box Office (201 State St.)* *save the service fees when buying in person

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Peak Performance: An Alpine Symphony with Tine Thing Helseth, Trumpet Photo by Paul Marc Mitchell / Warner Classics

MARCH 10, 11, 12 Ludwig van Beethoven Egmont Overture Johann Hummel Trumpet Concerto Richard Strauss An Alpine Symphony Carl St. Clair, Guest Conductor Tine Thing Helseth, Trumpet Prelude Discussion (pre-concert talk) Speaker: Michael Allsen MSO program notes author and MSO musician; UW-Whitewater Professor of Music

Young professionals: You’re invited to attend this concert (for a discounted price) and enjoy an after-party in the Overture Center’s Promenade Lounge on Sat., Mar. 11! Visit madisonsymphony.org/club201 for more details and to register.

Photo by Marco Borggreve

PROGRAM

Our March concerts welcome back guest conductor Carl St. Clair, whose past appearances with us have been thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and orchestra alike. Carl and the Madison Symphony will make history with our first ever performance of Richard Strauss’ gargantuan An Alpine Symphony. This work is scored for a huge orchestra and showcases the growth of our orchestra, as reflected in the depth of talent in every section. The result will be a dazzling aural display sure to raise the roof in Overture Hall. This piece is also a particular specialty of Maestro St. Clair, so I jumped at the chance to have him conduct it for us. This concert also brings the return of Tine Thing Helseth, an absolutely virtuosic trumpeter, with a gorgeous lyrical quality and an almost vocal sound on her instrument. She was a sensation in her first appearance with us in February 2014, so if you missed her the first time around, I urge you to experience her great artistry and delightful personality. She will be featured in our first subscription performance of Johann Hummel’s beloved Trumpet Concerto, and she may have some very special encores up her sleeve! To top it all off, Ludwig van Beethoven’s great Egmont Overture opens the program. This concert is truly a special event in our performance history and advances my goal of expanding our orchestra’s repertoire and bringing you all the brilliant music played by the fantastic symphonies of the world. Our orchestra is performing at an all-time level of greatness, so I encourage you to experience this concert and the many more to come!

John DeMain Major funding provided by

Additional funding provided by

MUSIC DIRECTOR

An Anonymous Friend Audrey Dybdahl, Family and Friends, in loving memory of Philip G. Dybdahl

John A. Johnson Foundation, a component fund of the Madison Community Foundation

3 Easy Ways to Buy Tickets: Online at madisonsymphony.org

(608) 258-4141

Madison Veterinary Specialists

Gary and Lynn Mecklenburg

In person at the Overture Center Box Office (201 State St.)* *save the service fees when buying in person

with fun and the

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Photo by Peter Rodgers

Photo by Todd Maughan

CELEBRATING YOUR SUPPORT

NEW CONCERT SPONSORS: Joan and James Johnston

NEW ENCORE CLUB DONORS: Chuck Beckwith and Chuck Bauer

We are thrilled to recognize Jim and Joan Johnston as sponsors of the February concert weekend. Jim, a retired professor of psychology, and Joan, a retired pediatric nurse practitioner, reside in Windsor, WI and subscribe to the Sunday concerts.

MSO: Tell us about your life in Madison.

MSO: How and when did you first become involved with the MSO? JJ: Until our retirement, we had only sporadic attendance at Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) concerts. Joan remembers attending concerts in the UW Stock Pavilion. With more free time, we became subscribers, which expanded into becoming more involved as donors of increasing amounts. MSO: Tell us about your current involvement with the Symphony. JJ: We have become a part of a cadre of volunteers and supporters that feels like family. In addition to attending concerts, we are volunteers with the Madison Symphony Orchestra League (MSOL), and we enjoy attending the MSOL’s “Parties of Note” fundraisers. MSO: What aspects of the Symphony experience do you most enjoy? JJ: We look forward to John DeMain’s overview of the program selections which he provides, in the Audubon Room, prior to most concerts. Meeting there with other donors, staff, and sometimes the featured performer, is something that really enhances our concert experience. We also enjoy sharing our reactions to the performances with other patrons at the post-concert receptions. Our participation is a win-win situation for ourselves and the MSO!

CB: We both moved here for school in the late 1960s and met in 1969. We founded our business, The Soap Opera, in 1972, and we sold the business in January 2016 to an energetic and talented local young couple. As visual artists, we have ample projects in play at all times. Restoring 82 acres of at-risk native eco-systems in rural Green County keeps us quite busy. MSO: When did your interest in classical music begin? CB: Chuck Bauer (pictured above, right) had a brilliant music major undergraduate roommate who introduced him to the world of classical music. Music was, sadly, absent from Chuck Beckwith’s education, but he is enthusiastically making up for lost time. MSO: What aspects of the Symphony experience do you most enjoy? CB: The concerts are exceptional and memorable. We appreciate the mix of traditional selections and more contemporary works. We enjoy and recommend the pre-concert talks, “Out at the Symphony” parties, and receptions. The Symphony provides us with many opportunities to socialize with like-minded friends. MSO: Why do you make a donation in addition to purchasing tickets? CB: We have always known that even three people in each seat will not cover costs. Additionally, we have always been aware of how many community benefits, both tangible and intangible, every arts organization confers on its neighbors.

LEVY FAMILY FOUNDATION RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD The Madison Symphony Orchestra wishes to congratulate the Irving and Dorothy Levy Family Foundation on receiving the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Madison Chapter. Irving and Dorothy Levy created the Levy Family Foundation in 1958, and their sons, Phil, Marv, and Jeff, have continued in their parents’ footsteps, giving to numerous Dane County organizations through the Foundation and personally. The MSO is honored to be among the beneficiaries of the Levy Family’s philanthropy. This season, the Foundation sponsored the MSO’s February concerts and Fall Youth Concerts, and Marv Levy personally sponsored the November concerts. When we asked Marv why he and his Family Foundation support the Symphony, he said, “We know that a great orchestra like the MSO needs generous support from the community in order to thrive. We’re very pleased to play a part in presenting exciting symphonic music and outstanding soloists here in Madison.” We thank Marv Levy and the Levy Family Foundation for their thoughtful approach to charitable giving and for helping make our community a great place to live, work, and play.

The

Score

The Score is published four times per concert season for members and friends of the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Editor: Ellen Larson Contributing Writers: John DeMain Lori Paulson Sam Hutchison Kathryn Schwarzmann Casey Oelkers (608) 257-3734

info@madisonsymphony.org

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EDUCATION HIGH NOTES

When a school signs up to attend a MSO Fall Youth Concert, MSOL docent teams, accompanied by MSO musicians, visit the participating schools and help students understand what it will be like to visit

“The kids loved seeing someone from the orchestra and seeing instruments live in front of them.”—Participating Educator This past fall, after 17 docent visits to 11 schools, approximately 4,200 4th-8th graders brought everything they had learned in the classroom to Overture Hall for the Fall Youth Concerts. Conducted by MSO Music Director John DeMain, these

Photo by Hiroyuki Ito

Wed., Mar. 29, 2017 | 6:45 p.m. Overture Hall

FREE OPEN DRESS REHEARSAL with pianist Stephen Hough Thurs., Feb. 16, 2017 | 7 p.m. Overture Hall Our Open Dress Rehearsals are a free educational opportunity for people of all ages. Reserve your spot at madisonsymphony.org/odr or call (608) 257-3734. Space is limited!

MSO’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.

concerts featured the 2016 Fall Youth Concerto Competition winners Monona Suzuki (violin) and Antonio Wu (piano), who performed solo works. The concert, themed “The Planets,” featured the fourth movement of Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 and movements from Holst’s The Planets, along with a supplemental display of video and text, including NASA images and short phrases, to guide the students through each work.

Join the excitement as the four finalists of the 2017 Bolz Young Artist Competition compete for top honors in a free concert with Music Director John DeMain and the MSO! 2017 Finalists: Michael Wu, piano | Sun Prairie

For many students, their preparation for and experience of the MSO in Overture Hall is the starting point for a lifetime love of music. To read about a docent’s recent experience, or if you’re interested in becoming a docent, please see page 5.

Photo by Todd Maughan

This is where the MSO and Madison Symphony Orchestra League (MSOL) step in with the docent program.

the Overture Center, how the orchestra is organized, and what types of melodies and sounds they can expect to hear during the concert. They are also provided with a curriculum guide written by MSO’s Education department.

Photo by Amandalynn Jones

FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE CONCERT HALL: Docents help prepare students for Fall Youth Concerts A visit to Overture Hall to hear the Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) can be an exhilarating, and sometimes overwhelming, experience for a young student. They may have questions about the musicians, concert etiquette, and music, which many of them are experiencing for the first time in this new environment.

SPRING YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT Thurs., Mar. 30, 2017 | 10 a.m. Overture Hall

Reservations open on Wed., Mar. 1, 2017, and can be made by calling the MSO office at (608) 257-3734.

The two winners of The Final Forte will perform for an audience of their peers at the 2017 Spring Young People’s Concert. Open to students in grades 6-12, this year’s concert theme is, “Musings of the Masters,” and will feature selections from Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, and Barber’s Essay No. 2.

Learn more about the four finalists at madisonsymphony.org/bolz.

For more information, visit madisonsymphony.org/sypc.

Major funding for the Spring Young People’s Concert provided by: Madison Symphony Orchestra League | American Girl’s Fund for Children

Yaoyao Chen, violin | Menasha Julian Rhee, violin | Brookfield Naomi Sutherland, harp | Viroqua

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Madison Symphony Orchestra League News Where Music and Friendship Meet A DOCENT’S EXPERIENCE

WE’RE TEEING UP FOR CONCERT ON THE GREEN 2017! On June 19, 2017, our beloved “Concert on the Green” (COG) fundraiser returns for the 23rd year with a day of golf and a memorable concert and dinner under the tent at Bishops Bay Country Club. Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Music Director John DeMain will conduct the concert and we’ll get to hear one of the Bolz Young Artist Competition winners.

My husband, Jack, and I had a wonderful morning several months ago at Bird Elementary School in Sun Prairie, where we assisted students in their preparation for the MSO’s 2016 Fall Youth Concerts. What a lovely school, lovely teacher, and charming 5th graders, many of whom are involved in the strings program. The children knew the “families” of instruments and many of them have been to the Overture Center to see more musical theater productions than we have!

Please check your Passport or visit madisonsymphony.org/parties for information and reservations. ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL ARTS BALL! The 46th annual Arts Ball at Nakoma Golf Club on Nov. 19, 2016 was yet another successful and memorable evening! This event, which includes a three-course dinner, dancing, and silent auction, benefits both the MSO and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

Photo by Greg Anderson

During the program, John DeMain will pass the baton to our special guest conductor, Scott Cabot! At last year’s Gala, Scott was the high bidder for a conducting lesson with John and the opportunity to conduct at this year’s COG. (Thank you Scott!)

The MSO musician who was with us, Lindsey Crabb (pictured above), brought the cello to life for the children, many of whom are just now starting to learn the cello. When they asked her how she could play so “fast” or how she could remember all the passages from The Planets by heart, she smiled and told them that she tries to practice two hours every day. They were amazed.

Join the committee and help arrange the event details Become a sponsor of the event

I would recommend the docent program to any MSOL member who wants to connect with budding, young music lovers and musicians and enjoy a short but most satisfying time with our future Symphony supporters and audience members.

Gather a foursome and enjoy a round of golf the day of the event Purchase a table or individual tickets to enjoy the evening concert and dinner For more information, please contact Katie Reuhl, kareuhl@gmail.com or Jim Ebben, ebben@edgewood.edu, (608) 833-4683.

New this year was a live auction for an experience at the local fire department, which included dinner for eight cooked by the firemen, a tour of the station, the chance to slide down the pole, and a ride on a fire truck. The next Arts Ball will be on Sat., Nov. 11, 2017. Photos by Larry Chua Photography

This event, which supports the MSO’s Education and Community Engagement programs, is only possible because of the participation of MSOL members and friends. We have a fantastic committee this year, chaired by Katie Reuhl and Jim Ebben, and we’d love for you to get involved in any of the following ways:

Are you interested in becoming a docent? Contact Lori Poulson, loripoulson@att.net or Carolyn White, crwhite53711@gmail.com.

Visit madisonsymphony.org/cog in late spring to purchase tickets or a table. Looking ahead—stay tuned!

2017 PARTIES OF NOTE We have a wonderful lineup of parties for you this year, starting with a Mardi Gras party with authentic New Orleans cooking by MSO Executive Director Rick Mackie and his wife, Diane.

By Lori Poulson

MSOL to Celebrate 60th Anniversary at the Spring Luncheon/Annual Meeting Fri., May 12, 2017 | 11:30 a.m. | Maple Bluff Country Club

Love the Symphony

…Join the League!

The Madison Symphony Orchestra League is an organization of more than 300 dedicated men and women who are committed to supporting the artistic, educational, financial, and community engagement goals of the Madison Symphony Orchestra. For more information, visit madisonsymphony.org/msol.

MA DIS ON S Y M P H ON Y O R C HES TR A

OVERTURE CONCERT ORGAN NEWS

Photo by Bob Rashid

Edwin H. Lemare. Known as both an outstanding organist and composer, he played his transcriptions for audiences numbering in the thousands, in many places where orchestral music had never been heard. The February 21 program draws from this rich history and features repertoire originally played by the orchestra and later transcribed for organ. The first half of the program includes music from various oratorios—large concert pieces scored for choirs, vocal soloists, and orchestra. The second half follows a similar format, but visits the world of opera with various opera overtures and arias for tenor and bass soloists, including Edwin Lemare’s exciting suite from Bizet’s opera Carmen.

THE ORGAN IN ORATORIO AND OPERA By MSO Principal Organist and Curator Samuel Hutchison At the turn of the 20th century, before the age of recorded sound, the pipe organ reigned supreme as the king of instruments in America. Every major municipal auditorium or civic center boasted a large instrument to complement the city’s orchestra. Each instrument was played by touring virtuosos who often performed before audiences of 10,000 or more!

In addition to the brilliant organ transcriptions, the audience will hear two of the most prominent young voices in the classical music world today: tenor Andrew Bidlack and bass Kyle Ketelsen. Both of these artists have major careers and are heard in leading opera houses around the world. Their live appearance in Madison is indeed a rare privilege.

Because these instruments could imitate the sounds of the orchestra, many orchestral transcriptions were made for inclusion in organ recitals. In churches, a similar practice ensued, where the church organist and choirmaster would frequently play and conduct major oratorios from the organ console with the church choir, creating a transcription of the original orchestral accompaniment.

Concert Details: The Organ in Oratorio & Opera Organist Samuel Hutchison with tenor Andrew Bidlack and bass Kyle Ketelsen Tues., Feb. 21, 2017 | 7:30 p.m. Overture Hall

Many composers for the organ created extensive collections of orchestral transcriptions, including British organist

Support for all Overture Concert Organ programs is provided by the Diane Endres Ballweg Fund.

Chicago native Erik Wm. Suter served as organist at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC for nearly 10 years. He has performed extensively throughout the United States and Canada as well as in many Asian and European countries. Mr. Suter’s performance highlights include appearances at the national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society. In addition to his career as a professional organist, Mr. Suter is a commercial pilot and flight instructor. At this concert, he’ll perform pieces by Duruflé, Dupré, Bach, Mozart, and more! Visit madisonsymphony.org/suter to view the full program. Sponsored by Mike and Beth Hamerlik

Sponsored by Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation

Photo by Joe De Maio

FREE COMMUNITY HYMN SING Sat., Mar. 11, 2017 | 11 a.m. Overture Hall Gary Lewis, organist at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, will lead this Hymn Sing. Learn more at madisonsymphony.org/ hymnsings.

ORGANIST ERIK WM. SUTER IN RECITAL Tues., Mar. 7, 2017 | 7:30 p.m. Overture Hall

VOICES OF SPRING: A Celebration of the Overture Concert Organ Sat., May 20, 2017 | 6 p.m. Overture Hall All organ lovers are invited to this elegant evening of music and dinner on the Overture stage. Visit madisonsymphony.org/voices for the most up to date information.

3 EASY WAYS TO BUY $20 ORGAN CONCERT TICKETS: Online at madisonsymphony.org (608) 258-4141 In person at the Overture Center Box Office (201 State St.)* *save the service fees when buying in person

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BACKSTAGE MSO WELCOMES NEW SUBSCRIBERS The MSO welcomed new subscribers at receptions after the November 2016 concerts. Thank you to all subscribers for being a part of the MSO family and supporting live, classical music in the Madison area.

POETRY AND PERFORMANCE: A RESPONSE TO DO HO SUH Fri., Mar. 17, 2017 | 7:30 p.m. Madison Museum of Contemporary Art The Madison Symphony Orchestra’s (MSO) Rhapsodie Quartet, community poets, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) come together for an evening of music and poetry, inspired by MMoCA’s exhibit featuring the work of artist Do Ho Suh.

—Katrin Talbot, poet and MSO violist This event is free for MMoCA members and $10 for non-members (part of “MMoCA Nights”). Visit mmoca.org for more information. CON VIVO!...MUSIC WITH LIFE WINTER CONCERT Sun., Feb. 12, 2017 | 2:30 p.m. First Congregational Church This ensemble includes five MSO musicians and they will present works from the musical capitols of Europe: Vienna—Zemlinsky’s Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Cello, Paris—Milhaud’s Selections from 9 Preludes, for organ and Moscow—Medtner’s Piano Quintet. General admission at the door is $18 and seniors/students are $15.

Learn more and register by Fri., Feb. 24 at madisonsymphony.org/magic.

Zachary Rosenblatt, Carolyn Davis

Photo by Peter Rodgers

“I am so thrilled to be able to witness a coming together of three art forms…to play with the concept of architectural settings and musical form, visually, aurally, and poetically.”

Enjoy a delicious lunch and hear an interview with Mr. St. Clair, led by MSO Director of Education and Community Engagement Kathryn Schwarzmann. Following the interview, the audience will have the chance to ask him questions of their own!

Photos by Todd Maughan

Do Ho Suh, Apartment A, Unit 2, Corridor and Staircase, 348 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011, USA (detail), 2011-2014, polyester fabric and stainless steel tubes. Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong.

Photo by Marco Borggreve

MAGIC OF MUSIC LUNCH Meet our March guest conductor, Carl St. Clair! Fri., Mar. 10, 2017 | 12 p.m. Blackhawk Country Club

MADISON LINKS BRINGS STUDENTS TO CHRISTMAS CONCERT This past December, the Madison Metropolitan Chapter of The Links, Incorporated partnered with the MSO to give guests from the Boys and Girls Club an opportunity to come to the Overture Center to enjoy A Madison Symphony Christmas! 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 educational, civic, and intercultural programs and projects for K-12 students. Learn more about them at madisonlinks.wordpress.com.

Michele and Luther Hotzel, MSO Principal Clarinetist JJ Koh, MSO Principal Flutist Stephanie Jutt

Ria Cian, Helene Castellanet

Performance Partners: Jill Bower, Eric Bower

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Tchaikovsky’s Fourth

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BEETHOVEN • COPLAND TCHAIKOVSKY

James Ehnes, Violin HAYDN • BRUCH RACHMANINOFF

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LET THE2015 COUNTDOWN BEGIN… / 2016 SE A SON NEW 2017-2018 Season of music coming soon! Be on the lookout in March for our 2017-2018 season brochure and official announcement of guest artists and music! Now is the time to mark these concert dates on your calendar!

Visit madisonsymphony.org for the most up to date information.

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To subscribe, request a brochure or for more information, visit: madisonsymphony.org or call (608) 257-3734.