Score Newsletter: Dec 2017/Jan 2018

DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY 2018

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Score

Noteworthy news from the Madison Symphony Orchestra Photo by Peter Rodgers

a Madison

Symphony Christmas What I like most about our annual Christmas concerts, is that they reunite me with the Madison Symphony Chorus, the Madison Youth Choirs and the Mount Zion Gospel Choir. These wonderful musical organizations are a treasure to our community, and they prepare months in advance of the concert to bring you their consistently high quality of performance. This year I have invited back tenor Eric Berry who thrilled us a few seasons back with his performance in the Beethoven Ninth Symphony. Joining him is the brilliant young soprano Emily Pogorelc, whom I had the pleasure of working with at the Glimmerglass Festival.

In addition, I like to feature an instrumentalist from the Orchestra every year at this concert, and this year the spotlight falls on our fabulous Principal Bassoonist Cindy Fix. She will delight us with a work by von Weber that showcases the virtuoso aspects of the bassoon. Popular favorites such as Joy to the World, Do You Hear What I Hear, the Hallelujah Chorus, the Christmas Song, and This is that Time of the Year are presented with classical works by Bach, Mozart, Puccini and Vaughan Williams. As always, there will be a few surprises, and no, I’m not singing this year (relief).

John DeMain

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Photo by Bill Fritsch/ HarperFritsch Studios

After Mt. Zion dazzles us, as they do every year, the combined forces of over 350 people on stage and 2000 plus in the audience raising their voices in song makes our annual Madison Christmas an unforgettable experience. What better way to usher in the holidays!

MAJOR FUNDING PROVIDED BY

John W. Thompson and Jane A. Bartell

FRIDAY, DEC. 1, 7:30 PM SATURDAY, DEC. 2, 8:00 PM SUNDAY, DEC. 3, 2:30 PM Come 45 minutes early and enjoy Christmas carols sung by the Madison Symphony Chorus in the magically lit Overture lobby!

John DeMain, Conductor Emily Pogorelc, Soprano Eric Barry, Tenor Madison Symphony Chorus Beverly Taylor, Director Madison Youth Choirs Michael Ross, Artistic Director Mount Zion Gospel Choir Tamera and Leotha Stanley, Directors Join the After-Party: You’re invited to attend the Friday, Dec. 1 MSO concert for a reduced price and the opportunity to socialize over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres! Join like-minded music enthusiasts over 21 for this special gathering.

Info/tickets: madisonsymphony.org/club201

ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY

Judith and Nick Topitzes

Colony Brands, Inc.

with fun and the N

J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc. Maurice and Arlene Reese Family Foundation

An Anonymous Friend

Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

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

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Gil Shah am plays

Tchaikovsky Photo by Luke Ratray

Our January concerts feature a number of significant firsts. Most important is the Madison Symphony debut of one of the world’s premiere violinists, Gil Shaham.

We have sought out Mr. Shaham for many seasons, and we are thrilled that his international schedule aligned with ours this year. His offer to play the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto led me into creating another one of my all-Russian programs. It’s not that I think I have an affinity for Russian composers, it’s just that I love the music so much. And in this concert, we feature three of the giants among them, namely Prokofiev, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. From Prokofiev, we open the concert with MSO’s first performance in nearly forty years of his Suite from his opera, The Love of Three Oranges. It is a delightful and invigorating work that contains a march that at one time was Prokofiev’s most well-known work in America, as it served as a theme for a radio show about the FBI. While I have programmed frequently Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony, we have never performed his third. This is a work that contains all the musical elements that we have come to know and love about Rachmaninoff, and in recent years it has enjoyed a successful revival. This will be our first-ever performance of this work.

When I think all-Russian, I look forward to an evening of music that will warm your heart and soul in the very middle of our winter season. Come in from the cold and join us for this momentous occasion!

John DeMain

Kenneth A. Lattman Foundation, Inc. Marilyn and Jim Ebben

Prokofiev The Love for Three Oranges Suite Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 3 John DeMain, Conductor Gil Shaham, Violin Prelude Discussion Pre-Concert talk beginning one hour before each concert in Overture Hall Speaker: Randal Swiggum, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director

MUSIC DIRECTOR

MAJOR FUNDING PROVIDED BY

Irving and Dorothy Levy Family Foundation, Inc.

FRIDAY, JAN. 19, 2018, 7:30 PM SATURDAY, JAN. 20, 2018, 8:00 PM SUNDAY, JAN. 21, 2018, 2:30 PM

Dr. Stanley and Shirley Inhorn Kato L. Perlman Cyrena and Lee Pondrom

ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY

James and Joan Johnston

with funds from t and the National E

von Briesen & Roper, s.c. with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts

F IN D MO RE AT MADIS O N S YMPHO NY.ORG

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CELEBRATING YOUR SUPPORT

Photo by Amandalynn Jones

DONOR SPOTLIGHT: JUDY AND NICK TOPITZES

As is true for many Madison Symphony Orchestra donors, music was a part of Judy and Nick Topitzes’ lives long before they started attending MSO concerts. As a youth, Judy played the piano and violin and sang in her school and church choirs.

Her father was a band and orchestra teacher and played violin in a string quartet. Nick took some piano lessons and sang, but says that his sister, a violinist, was the true musician in the family.

After they moved back to Madison in the early 1970s, Judy enjoyed a career as a social worker in the Madison

Metropolitan School District and Nick, after many years in advertising, built a successful meeting planning business, and a catalog that supplied meeting planners, pc/nametag. They attended MSO concerts off and on, and eventually became subscribers.

When John DeMain became music director, Judy joined the MSO Chorus and sang for several years. When she retired in 2001, she became involved as a volunteer with the MSO League (MSOL) and served as President from 2005-2007, leading MSOL through its 50th anniversary celebration. She has been an active MSOL volunteer and MSO board member ever since.

When asked why she and Nick support the MSO with an annual donation in addition to buying tickets and participating in the MSOL, Judy said, “I am passionate about music and want to help assure that our community has a symphony orchestra. We both think it is so important to give back to our community. As we were able, we started giving what we could, and that has increased over the years.”

We are grateful to Judy and Nick for their annual donations in support of MSO concerts, the Final Forte and the MSOL Gala, for their participation in MSOL events, and for all their community philanthropy.

ATTENTION MSO PATRONS OVER AGE 70 ½ If you have reached age 70½ and must take the required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA, did you know that you can replace some or all of your RMD with a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to the Madison Symphony Orchestra? QCDs (up to $100,000 per taxpayer per year) are exempt from federal income taxes because they will not be included in your adjusted gross income for the calendar year. Depending on your financial situation, the QCD strategy could be a smart tax move for you. Don’t wait until the end of the year to act! Contact your IRA trustee or custodian to make arrangements today.

For more information or to let us know your plans, contact Casey Oelkers at (608) 260-8680 x228.

OPENING WEEKEND CELEBRATION Donors celebrated the new season at receptions before and after the concerts. Thank you to ALL who have made gifts in support of this season.

All photos by Todd Maughan

L-R David and Judith Ward; concert sponsors Tom and Peggy Pyle

L-R Crescendo Club member Barbara Herrod; Director of Development Casey Oelkers; Crescendo Club member Walter Herrod

L-R Shannon Ward, Wisconsin State Journal; Sara Stazak; Chris Stazak, madison.com

Stephanie Lee, Forte Research Systems; Pete Fillipi

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EDUCATION HIGH NOTES FALL YOUTH CONCERTS Tuesday, November 7, 2017 9:15 a.m. / 11:15 a.m. / 1:00 p.m.

Overture Hall “From the New World” John DeMain, Conductor The Madison Symphony Orchestra welcomed students in grades 4-8 to attend this year’s Fall Youth Concerts titled From The New World. The program included a movement of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “The New World,” and Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, among other pieces.

MEET THE 2017-2018 UP CLOSE & MUSICAL® HUNT QUARTET!

THE FINAL FORTE: WISCONSIN YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETE

Through the Up Close & Musical® educational residency program, the Hunt Quartet helps children develop an early love for music. Meet this year’s returning Hunt Quartet of UW-Madison Mead Witter School of Music graduate students: Chang-En Lu (violin), Vinicius Sant’Ana (violin), Blakeley Menghini (viola), and Kyle Price (cello).

Wednesday, March 14, 2018 6:45 p.m. in Overture Hall

The Preliminary Round of the Bolz Young Artist Competition will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018, followed by the Semi-Final Round, open to the public, held the afternoon of Sunday, January 14, 2018.

“This is a WONDERFUL opportunity for rural schools who do not have access to urban opportunities on a regular basis.

Our kids were captivated.”

Visit http://madisonsymphony.org/bolz for more information.

— Attending Educator, 2016 Major funding for the Fall Youth Concerts is provided by the Madison Symphony Orchestra League. Additional funding is provided by American Family Insurance; Dr. Annette Beyer-Mears; The Evjue Foundation Inc., the charitable arm of The Capital Times; Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., Inc.; Irving and Dorothy Levy Family Foundation, Inc.; James and Joan Johnston; William J. and Joyce F. Wartmann Fund; James and Jessica Yehle.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2017 FALL YOUTH CONCERTO COMPETITION WINNERS! Meera Bradley, violin Homeschool – Madison Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, Mvt. V Sophia Jiang, piano Jefferson Middle School – Madison Mozart: Concerto No. 12 in A Major, Mvt. I Honorable Mention: Chris Wu, piano Hamilton Middle School – Madison Kabalevsky: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Major, Mvt. III

Save the date for The Final Forte 2018!

The culmination of the Bolz Young Artist Competition, this free event is open to the public, often broadcast live on Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television. Reservations open on Monday, February 12, 2018 and can be made by calling the MSO office: (608) 257-3734.

L-R Kyle, Vinicius, Blakeley, Chang-En

Major funding for Up Close & Musical® is provided by the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation, Inc., and An Anonymous Friend. Additional funding is provided by The Brittingham Fund., Inc.; the CUNA Mutual Foundation; Dane Arts with additional funds from the Endres Mfg. Company Foundation, charitable arm of The Capital Times, the W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation, and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation; and Marc Vitale and Darcy Kind.

MSO’s Education and Community Engagement Programs are made accessible for free or at a low cost to participants thanks to our generous sponsors! 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.

MEET THE MUSICIAN Meet the Musician offers preschoolers a close encounter with MSO musicians and the instruments they play. This free program occurs one Saturday per month from September to April at the Madison Children’s Museum. A variety of instruments from the orchestra are featured. Meet the Musician is often followed by an instrument petting zoo, provided by Heid Music. Upcoming Meet the Musician dates and musicians include: Sat., Jan. 20, 2018 | 11:00 AM Jen Paulson, viola Sat., Feb. 17, 2018 | 11:00 AM Wes Luke, violin Sat., Mar. 17, 2018 | 11:00 AM JJ Koh, clarinet Special thanks to our Meet the Musician partners.

F IN D MO RE AT MADIS O N S YMPHO NY.ORG

Madison Symphony Orchestra League News

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Where Music and Friendship Meet SYMPHONY GALA: A MEMORABLE NIGHT OF MUSIC, FELLOWSHIP AND FUNDRAISING

SAVE THE DATES FOR… Arts Ball: The Last Dance Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 Nakoma Golf Club MSOL Holiday Party Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 5:00 PM Maple Bluff Country Club Additionally, watch for a flyer with more information about the Midwinter Luncheon coming soon. It will be held at the Nakoma Country Club.

2018 CONCERT PREVIEWS Thursday, Jan. 18 | 5:30 PM 431 Farwell Dr., Madison, 53704

Left to right: Janet Cabot, Beth Rahko, Casey Oelkers, Elaine Mischler, Valerie Kazamias, Katie Reuhl, Judy Topitzes, Ann Lindsay, Darcy Kind, Rosemarie Blanke

It was a perfect September evening for the 188 guests who attended the 2017 Symphony Gala and presentation of the Fourth Annual John DeMain Award for Outstanding Commitment to Music to Carolyn White. The Gala raised money to help support the MSO’s Education and Community Engagement Programs.

In keeping with the focus on education, guests were treated to the inaugural viewing of the first in a series of films designed to tell the story of the impact of the Symphony and its education programs in the community. The short video, produced by Mirror 34 Productions, showcased the Link Up and HeartStrings programs. Visit youtube.com/user/madisonsymphony to view the first published short film about Link Up. SM

Left to right: John DeMain, Carolyn White, Katie Reuhl All photos by Amandalynn Jones

Love the Symphony

…Join the League!

Guests enjoyed music by the John Schaffer Trio during the pre-dinner reception, a performance by The Hunt Quartet and dancing after dinner to the music of The Original Hyperion Orchestra led by Karlos Moser. Scott Cabot, Gala silent auction winner in 2016, passed the baton to Darcy Kind, this year’s winning bidder for a conducting lesson from John DeMain and the opportunity to conduct at the 2018 Concert on the Green.

Concert Previews will feature speakers knowledgeable about the upcoming program accompanied by wine and hors d’oeuvres. These previews are a nice time to socialize and learn more about the excellent music we will hear! Free for members. One additional preview will be scheduled for spring. Visit madisonsymphony.org/msol for more information.

PARTIES OF NOTE PASSPORTS COMING IN JANUARY The Parties of Note Committee is hard at work finalizing the lineup of parties for 2018. Our 2017 parties sold out very quickly, so be sure to watch for your Passport in early January and register for your favorites. These are open to non-MSOL members.

SIGN UP FOR MSOL ENEWS MSOL has a brand new newsletter that is sent approximately once a month via email. Stay up-todate on the latest MSOL events and news! Email Amanda at adill@madisonsymphony.org if you’d like to subscribe.

The Madison Symphony Orchestra League is an organization of more than 350 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.

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OVERTURE CONCERT ORGAN NEWS NOVEMBER CAROL SING Monday, Nov. 27 | 7:00 p.m.

Overture Hall

Always a fan favorite, the Carol Sing will get everyone in the mood for Christmas!

Familiar carols will be sung, and solo organ works will include Richard Purvis’ Carol Rhapsody and an arrangement of “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella.” Join Greg Zelek for this wonderful free event that is sure to delight audiences of all ages!

See more upcoming free organ events at madisonsymphony.org/hymnsings.

FEBRUARY 20 | 7:30 PM

ORGANIST DAVID BRIGGS IN RECITAL David Briggs, an internationallyrenowned organist, returns to Overture Hall following his successful 2013 debut recital with a music program that includes works he arranged: the March from The Love of Three Oranges by Sergei Prokofiev, Hungarian March in G minor by Johannes Brahms, as well as Sarabande (from Pour le piano) by Claude Debussy (arr. Alexandre Cellier). madisonsymphony.org/briggs Sponsored by Friends of the Overture Concert Organ

FREE COMMUNITY HYMN SING WITH GREG ZELEK Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 madisonsymphony.org/hymnsings

APRIL 17 | 7:30 PM

ORGANIST ISABELLE DEMERS IN RECITAL

MAY 11 | 7:30 PM

ORGANIST GREG ZELEK IN RECITAL

Isabelle Demers, professor of organ and head of the organ program at Baylor University, returns following her astounding 2015 recital debut.

Her program entitled The Three B’s includes music of Bairstow, Bonnet, and Berlioz with Dr. Demers’ transcription of Berlioz’s blistering Symphonie Fantastique!

Greg Zelek thrilled the Overture audience with his spell-binding debut recital in 2016. He returns, now as the Madison Symphony Orchestra Principal Organist and Curator of the Overture Concert Organ, with a program of music which includes Bach, Schumann, Franck, and Liszt’s monumental Fantasy and Fugue on the Chorale “Ad nos, ad salutarem undam.”

madisonsymphony.org/demers

madisonsymphony.org/zelek

Sponsored by the Skofronick Family Charitable Trust

Sponsored by Walter and Karen Pridham Support for all Overture Concert Organ programs is provided by the Diane Ballweg Fund.

Three easy ways to buy $20 organ concert tickets: Online at madisonsymphony.org | Call (608) 258-4141 In person at the Overture Center Box Office, 201 State Street

F IN D MO RE AT MADIS O N S YMPHO NY.ORG

BACKSTAGE love the excitement of live “ ISymphony performances,

Photo by: Katrin Talbot

since I enjoy watching as well as listening to the music.

I have been so impressed by the consistently high-quality performances of our own musicians and by the stellar guest artists we are able to attract. I have named the Madison Symphony Orchestra as a beneficiary of my IRA to help ensure the continuation of live classical music in Madison.

Ann Wallace

WELCOME NEW MSO MUSICIANS We welcome ten new musicians to the Madison Symphony orchestra this season! They are pictured here, from left to right, with Music Director John DeMain.

Johanna Wienholts, Principal Harp Gregory Zelek, Principal Organ Peter Miliczky, violin Biffa Kwok, violin Hillary Hempel, Assistant Principal Violin II Chang-En Lu, violin Katherine Floriano, violin Jeff Takaki, bass Laura Mericle, violin Ina Georgieva, viola

MELHARMONY FESTIVAL Sunday, Nov. 12 | 6:30 PM Middleton Featuring the Middleton Community Orchestra under the baton of guest conductor Kyle Knox. Visit melharmonymusic.com for more information.

MSO TO PERFORM WITH AMY GRANT AND MICHAEL W. SMITH Saturday, Dec. 9 | 7:30 PM Alliant Energy Center Coliseum Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith are performing with the Madison Symphony Orchestra on December 9. They will be joined by Jordan Smith, Season 9 winner

of NBC’s “The Voice.” Incorporating the Madison Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Musical Director and Conductor David Hamilton, this seasonal crowd-pleaser is being presented by Balsam Hill®. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, and at the Coliseum Box Office.

ANCORA QUARTET RETURNS TO PORTAGE Program includes two Bach Cantatas The Ancora String Quartet’s 17th season includes a collaboration with singers Anne and Deanna Horjus of Baraboo, on Sat., Feb 10 at 7:30 PM, at the Portage Center for the Arts. The concert features Cantata 82 ‘Ich habe Genug,’ and the Wedding Cantata 202 ‘Weichet nur, betrubte Schatten,’ as well as selections performed separately by the quartet. Visit ancoraquartet.com for more details.

ALL-AMERICAN BLUEGRASS CLASS: MADISON SYMPHONY CHORUS WITH A BLUEGRASS BAND Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018 | 2:00 & 4:00 PM Promenade Hall, Overture Center Experience a mix of classical, folk, spiritual, and bluegrass music. Enjoy familiar and timeless tunes plus The Word Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass.

Visit madisonsymphony.org/chorus for more information.

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Photo by Todd Maughan

You can help preserve the MSO’s legacy of great music for future generations by including the Symphony in your estate plans.

Call (608) 257-3734 to learn more.

Performance Partners:

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Score

The Score is published four times per concert season for members and friends of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

Editor: Amanda Dill Contributing Writers: Cathy Buege Casey Oelkers John DeMain Kathryn Schwarzmann (608) 257-3734

info@madisonsymphony.org

Printing provided by

PROGRAMS AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

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Score SEPT. 25, 26, 27

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FEB. 12, 13, 14

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Tchaikovsky’s Fourth

BEETHOVEN • COPLAND TCHAIKOVSKY

Alina Ibragimova, Violin

Recapping Gala OCT. 16, 17, the 18 2017 Symphony MAR. 11, 12, 13

James Ehnes, Violin HAYDN • BRUCH RACHMANINOFF Congratulations

Emanuel Ax, Piano

to our

KABALEVSKY • FRANCK 2017 Fall Youth STRAUSS • MAHLER

Concerto Competition Winners!

NOV. 20, 21, 22 APR. 1, 2, 3

Sara Sant’Ambrogio, Cello RAVEL • SAINT-SAËNS BERLIOZ

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE

TCHAIKOVSKY • RAVEL BEETHOVEN

PAID

MADISON, WI PERMIT NO. 930

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

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Garrick Ohlsson, Piano STUCKY • STRAUSS

Photos from Opening WeekendBRAHMS DEC. 4, 5, 6

A Madison Symphony Christmas

APR. 29, 30, MAY 1 Carmina Burana

Organ Season HighlightsMadison Symphony Chorus Madison Symphony Chorus Madison Youth Choirs Mt. Zion Gospel Choir

RESPIGHI • ORFF

MA D I S O N SY MPHONY ORC HESTRA

This holiday…..Give them a Madison Symphony Orchestra experience they’ll never forget!

Tickets are just $25–$50 during our Holiday Ticket Sale Dec. 10–24 Purchase tickets to any of our January-May 2017 subscription concerts!

2015 / 2016 SE A SON

Gil Shaham, Violin Jan. 19–21

Alban Gerhardt, Cello Feb. 16–18

NEWLISTEN SUBSCRIBERS withRECEIVE all

UPyour TO 50% OFF

HEART

Augustin Hadelich, Violin Apr. 13–15

Christopher O’Riley, Piano May 4–6

3 easy ways to abuy tickets: To subscribe, request brochure or for more madisonsymphony.org | (608) 258-4141 information, visit: madisonsymphony.org In person at the Overture Center Box Office (201 State St.)* *save theor service when buying in person callfees (608) 257-3734.

Learn more: madisonsymphony.org/holidaysale