NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
The
Score
Noteworthy news from the Madison Symphony Orchestra
PROGRAM November 20, 21, 22
FRENCH FANTASTIQUE Cellist Sara Sant'Ambrogio performs Saint-Saëns
MAURICE RAVEL Valses Nobles et Sentimentales CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS Cello Concerto No. 1 HECTOR BERLIOZ Symphonie Fantastique John DeMain Conductor Sara Sant'Ambrogio Cello
h November brings three stunning works by three giant French composers, as well as Sara Sant'Ambrogio's solo debut with the MSO. Sara appeared with the Symphony in 2001 as the Eroica Trio's brilliant cellist. I'm particularly excited that she has agreed to perform Camille Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1, as it is a repertoire favorite and one we haven't performed in some thirty-four years. Adding to my excitement is a chance to introduce our audience to a live performance of Maurice Ravel's charming Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, a personal favorite of mine. A composition performed much more often, and for good reason, is Hector Berlioz's great Symphonie Fantastique, which is based on Berlioz's obsession with an actress who pays him no mind, until much later in life after this piece is written. The music is wonderful and dramatic throughout, as Berlioz's journey takes him to the depths of hell and our brass section, including the first use of the tuba in a symphony orchestra, has a field day. I urge all of you to visit madisonsymphony.org to read Michael Allsen's program notes and to listen to works on the program you are unfamiliar with. This will enormously increase your listening pleasure as it is difficult for all of us to absorb every detail of a composition on first hearing.
John DeMain
Photo by Bill Fritsch/ HarperFritsch Studios
I hope you will join us for this sumptuous feast of French music that is sure to warm our hearts as the cold of winter settles in.
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Have lunch with Sara Sant'Ambrogio and hear her talk about the music . . .
at the Magic of Music Lunch!
FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2015 Nakoma Golf Club Doors open at 11:40 a.m. Lunch begins at noon
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT: madisonsymphony.org/magic 1
PRELUDE DISCUSSION One hour before each concert in Overture Hall Speaker: John DeMain MSO Music Director
Major funding provided by
Barbara Ryder DeEtte Beilfuss-Eager and Leonard P. Eager, Jr., in memory of Karen “Lovey” Johnson Rosemarie Blancke
Additional funding provided by
Martha and Charles Casey Sunseed Research, LLC
with funds from the Sta and the National Endo
with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.