FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 15, 2023 (updated September 3, 2023)
Madison Symphony Orchestra Presents its Season-Opening Concerts: “American Rhapsody” on September 22, 23 & 24, in Overture Hall Featuring the MSO Debut of Pianist Terrence Wilson
The 2023-2024 season celebrates John DeMain’s 30th anniversary
Madison, Wis. – The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) opens its 2023-2024 season with “American Rhapsody” in Overture Hall on September 22, 23 and 24, 2023. The all-American program begins with Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring followed by George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue featuring the MSO debut of pianist Terrence Wilson. After intermission the program continues with John Adams‘ The Chairman Dances and Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2.
“This all-American concert features four composers whose music I’ve so enjoyed both conducting and listening to over the years,” Music Director John DeMain expressed. “Copland’s Appalachian Spring is such a beloved work and distinctly American in character. Rhapsody in Blue is a piece I performed with orchestras years ago and is a perennial favorite. The Chairman Dances was a prequel to John Adams’ opera Nixon in China, of which I had the privilege to conduct the world premiere performance. Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2 (Romantic) is way overdue for the MSO and our audiences to experience. In fact, I have received many requests to perform this work of great beauty and passion. And, of course, you won’t want to miss the MSO debut of the sensational pianist Terrence Wilson.”
Symphony Concert, Ticket and Event Details
Three performances of the “American Rhapsody” concerts will take place Friday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 24 at 2:30 p.m. More information is found at https://madisonsymphony.org/rhapsody
Single tickets are on sale now through the Overture Center Box office ($15-$102). Tickets can be purchased online at overture.org, in-person or by phone by calling (608) 258-4141 during Box Office hours. $15 student rush tickets may be purchased beginning the Friday of the concert weekend through the performance time on each day at the Overture Box Office. Note that fees apply to online and phone orders. No fees for in-person purchase at the Overture Box Office, 201 State Street.
The lobby opens 90 minutes prior to each concert. The Symphony recommends concert attendees arrive early for each performance to make sure they have time to pass through Overture Center’s security stations. All ticket holders are welcome to attend a free half-hour pre-concert talk one hour before each performance by Randal Swiggum in Overture Hall.
Drinks are now allowed in Overture Hall
As of this season, drinks are allowed inside Overture Hall during all Madison Symphony Orchestra concerts and Overture Concert Organ performances. Refreshments may be purchased at bars and concession stands located around the Overture Hall lobby before each concert and during intermission. Please enjoy food in the lobby and unwrap any candy or cough drops before the performance begins.
Health & Safety Precautions
Masks and proof of COVID-19 vaccination are not currently required to enter Overture Center for the Arts. More information about the many safety protocols can be found at overture.org/health, and madisonsymphony.org/health.
About Terrence Wilson
Acclaimed by the Baltimore Sun as “one of the biggest pianistic talents to have emerged in this country in the last 25 years” pianist Terrence Wilson has appeared as soloist with the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Washington, DC (National Symphony), San Francisco, St. Louis, and with the orchestras of Cleveland, Minnesota, and Philadelphia and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Conductors with whom he has worked include Christoph Eschenbach, Alan Gilbert, Neeme Järvi, Jesús López-Cobos, Lawrence Renes, Robert Spano, Yuri Temirkanov, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Gunther Herbig and Michael Morgan.
An active recitalist, Terrence Wilson made his New York City recital debut at the 92nd Street Y, and his Washington, DC recital debut at the Kennedy Center. In the US he has given recitals at Lincoln Center in New York City (both Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher Hall), the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, the Caramoor Festival in Katonah, NY, San Francisco’s Herbst Theatre, and for the La Jolla Chamber Music Society. An avid chamber musician, he performs regularly with the Ritz Chamber Players. Festival appearances include the Blossom Festival, Tanglewood, Wolf Trap, with the San Francisco Symphony at Stern Grove Park, and an appearance with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra on July 4, 2015 before an audience of over fifteen thousand.
Terrence Wilson has received numerous awards and prizes, including the SONY ES Award for Musical Excellence, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Juilliard Petschek Award. In 2011, Wilson was nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Instrumental Soloist With an Orchestra” for his (world premiere) recording with the Nashville Symphony conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero of Michael Daugherty’s Deus ex Machina for piano and orchestra — written for Wilson in 2007. Terrence Wilson is a graduate of The Juilliard School, where he studied with Yoheved Kaplinsky. He has also enjoyed the invaluable mentorship of the Romanian pianist and teacher Zitta Zohar. A native of the Bronx, he resides in Montclair, New Jersey.
About the Madison Symphony Orchestra
The Madison Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 98th season in 2023–2024. The MSO has grown to be one of America’s leading regional orchestras, providing Madison and south-central Wisconsin with cultural and educational opportunities to interact with great symphonic repertoire and top-tier guest artists from around the world. 2023–2024 is Music Director John DeMain’s 30th anniversary season. The MSO’s 100th anniversary season celebration will take place during the 2025–2026 season. Learn more at madisonsymphony.org
Presenting Sponsorship for “American Rhapsody” is provided by Marvin J. Levy. Major Sponsorship provided by Myrna Larson, Stephen D. Morton, Lake Ridge Bank, Elaine and Nicholas Mischler and Nancy Mohs. Additional funding is provided by Melinda V. Heinritz, in loving memory of Alicia L. Goehring, Dr. Thomas and Leslie France, von Briesen & Roper, s.c., and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Contact: Peter Rodgers, Director of Marketing
Phone: (608) 260-8680 x226
Mobile: (415) 713-0235
Email: prodgers@madisonsymphony.org
Web: madisonsymphony.org
Link to 23-24 symphony season photos: https://bit.ly/mso23-24symphonyphotos
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