FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2019 (updated, July 2, 2019)
The Madison Symphony Orchestra Announces its 2019–2020 Overture Concert Organ Season
Madison, Wis. – The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) invites audiences to experience another year of music on the Overture Concert Organ in the 2019–2020 subscription season. Subscriptions are available now, and single tickets will go on sale to the public Saturday, August 10, 2019.
“I know this next organ season will be another thrilling year of music that will give our listeners an opportunity to hear the organ in four very unique and breathtaking concerts,” said MSO Principal Organist and Curator of the Overture Concert Organ Greg Zelek. “Each of our guest soloists will be making their Overture Hall debut, which gives our audience an opportunity to experience something new and memorable.”
“The support from our audience is remarkable and I am appreciative for the admiration that so many Madisonians have for this great art form,” Zelek added. “I look forward to seeing so many familiar faces, as well as making new friends for our Mighty Klais and our organ program this upcoming season.”
The 2019–2020 concert organ season opens on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 with the The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge. The 25-voice choir will be conducted by Stephen Layton and accompanied by a Trinity Organ Scholar organist on the Mighty Klais.
The series continues Tuesday, October 22, 2019 with St. Patrick’s Cathedral Organist Michael Hey and Violinist Christiana Liberis, demonstrating the versatility of the organ with a diverse program of music for both violin, as well as solo organ, including Bach’s famous Violin Concerto in E Major and Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro.
Argentinian Organist Hector Olivera resumes the 2020 organ subscription series Tuesday, February 11, 2019. His debut performance at Overture Hall will feature organ classics, such as J.S. Bach’s Passacaglia in C minor, as well as transcriptions like Oblivion by another Argentine native, Astor Piazzola. He will close the concert with an improvisation on a submitted theme from the audience.
The conclusion of the season brings together The Diapason Brass & Timpani with Greg Zelek on the Mighty Klais. This unique program will include Gigout’s Grand Choeur Dialogue, a transcription of Rachmaninoff’s famous Vocalise performed on horn, and an arrangement of Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor for organ and timpani. Audiences will enjoy the expressive and fluid partnership of MSO’s Principal Trumpet, John Aley and the newly appointed trumpet professor at UW–La Crosse, Matthew Onstad; the warm sounds of MSO’s Principal Horn, Linda Kimball; the creative flair of UW–Madison trombone professor, Mark Hetzler; the thrilling facility of MSO’s Principal Tuba, Joshua Biere; and the thunderous rhythm of MSO’s Principal Timpani, John Jutsum.
ABOUT THE OVERTURE CONCERT ORGAN SEASON
The Overture Concert Organ is owned by the Madison Symphony Orchestra and is the stunning backdrop of all MSO concerts. It is programmed and curated by MSO Principal Organist, Greg Zelek. In addition to the Overture Concert Organ Season, the organ is featured in a variety of free events, such as the community Carol and Hymn Sings, and summer Farmers’ Market Organ Concerts. Learn more: madisonsymphony.org/about/mission-history.
The 19-20 Organ Performance Season is composed by Greg Zelek and features guest musicians on both the Overture Concert Organ and accompanying instruments. This season, esteemed organists and guests convey power and emotion through the impressive Klais Organ, providing a venue for one of the most significant and recently commissioned organ installations in the county. Discover more about the 19-20 season: madisonsymphony.org/organ19-20.
Support for all Overture Concert Organ programs is provided by the Diane Endres Ballweg Fund. With a gift from Pleasant T. Rowland, the Madison Symphony Orchestra commissioned the Overture Concert Organ, which is the stunning backdrop of all MSO concerts.
ABOUT THE MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Madison Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 94th season in 2019–2020 under the leadership of Music Director John DeMain. 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 masterworks and top-tier guest artists from around the world. Find more information at madisonsymphony.org.
Link to MSO Overture Concert Organ Season Series 19-20 photos: http://bit.ly/mso19-20organphotos
Programs, dates, and artists are subject to change.
CONTACT:
Peter Rodgers, Director of Marketing
Phone: (608) 260-8680 x226
Mobile: (415) 713-0235
Email: prodgers@madisonsymphony.org
Additional information, detailed artist bios, and other photos available upon request.
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