Recent News & Stories
Heroic Piano & Premiere, featuring Benjamin Grosvenor
Our February concerts feature the first performance by the Madison Symphony of Jessie Montgomery’s Coincident Dances, composed in 2017. I first learned about Ms. Montgomery with her work with the Sphinx organization, dedicated to promoting African American and Latinx musicians. I also learned of her appointment as composer-in-residence with the Chicago Symphony. Reading Montgomery’s own notes about Coincident Dances being inspired by her walking through streets of New York and hearing eclectic musical styles emerging from apartment windows reminded me of my own experience, when I would walk home from Juilliard or work when I was a student in that noisy but wonderful city.
Also, extremely exciting for me is the anticipation of Benjamin Grovesnor’s debut with us playing the great C minor concerto of Beethoven. The young British pianist is quite the superstar among pianists in Europe, and it’s a real coup to have been able to engage him for our Madison concerts.
Finally, it’s been 10 years since we have programmed Dvořák’s wonderful sixth symphony, a work that firmly established him as a composer on the world stage. I’ve grown more and more fond of Dvořák over the years, as his total musical output is nothing short of amazing. Using his Bohemian heritage as a source for his musical ideas, he uniquely weaves these ideas into a great symphonic masterwork. This piece is a fitting close to what I know will be a very rewarding series of concerts.
— John DeMain, Music Director
Recent Media Coverage
Plus, watch two brand new interviews with Benjamin Grosvenor below!
WATCH: In an exclusive interview with the MSO, Benjamin Grosvenor talks about his experience rehearsing with John DeMain and the orchestra, how he practices, and why he chose to play the piano over the cello. He also talks about Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, which he performs with us February 17, 18, and 19!
WATCH: John Stofflet interviewed Benjamin Grosvenor on the 5:00 p.m. NBC15 news on Thursday February 16.
Other Recent News & Stories
New February Organ Program! Greg Zelek & Mark Hetzler
Tuesday, February 28, 7:30 p.m
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, Alcée Chriss will no longer be able to perform as scheduled on Tuesday, February 28th. We will look forward to having him back at a future date. However, I am excited to announce that in its place, I have the pleasure of performing alongside the great trombonist, Mark Hetzler, who last performed with me in the successful Organ and Diapason Brass concert that closed our last season. Mark and I can’t wait to have a blast with you all at this unique Organ and Trombone concert. See you there!” — Greg Zelek, Principal Organist
All tickets to this concert are just $25. Learn more and join us!
The Final Forte
Wednesday, March 8
Join us in Overture Hall on Wednesday, March 8 as four of Wisconsin’s brightest young musicians compete for top honors in the concluding round of our Bolz Young Artist Competition! Discover more about the four soloists, plus register to attend this free event that will also be broadcast live on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio.
Best of Madison
Nominations for Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison 2023 are now open! You can write in your vote for the Madison Symphony Orchestra in the Classical Music Group and Performing Arts Group categories, every day through February 28. Visit Channel 3000’s website to vote!
Partner Story, Capital City Hues: Charting the Course for the Symphony
Thank you to Jonathan Gramling for interviewing our Executive Director Robert Reed in the latest issue of Capital City Hues! Part one of this story appeared on the cover of their February 6, 2023 issue and the full text of the article can be found on our website.
Concert on the Green
Monday, June 19
Registration is now open for Concert on the Green! Join us for a memorable day of golf and a magical evening of entertainment at Bishops Bay Country Club. Highlights include a golf tournament, celebrity guest Mike Leckrone, cocktail party, dinner, and the Let Freedom Ring concert in celebration of Juneteenth. Golf and dinner packages are $395 per person, or take advantage of our new evening-only Early Bird price of $195 per person through April 3 (increases to $225 on April 4). Discover more and register now.