Madison Symphony Orchestra Takes the Audience Beyond the Score® of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5
“Beyond the Score®: Sergei Prokofiev Symphony No. 5: Pure Propaganda?” starring American Players Theatre actors, with multimedia projections — the entire work performed in the second half — a single performance on Sunday, January 19, 2020
Madison, Wis. – Join the Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Music Director John DeMain as they present the story behind Prokofiev’s Symphony No.5 with “Beyond the Score®: Sergei Prokofiev Symphony No.5: Pure Propaganda?” on January 19, 2020 in Overture Hall.
“Beyond the Score®: Sergei Prokofiev Symphony No.5: Pure Propaganda?” is a multimedia examination of Russian composer’s musical celebration to the end of World War II. Starring American Players Theatre actors James Ridge, Colleen Madden, Marcus Truschinski, and Sarah Day, along with MSO pianist Dan Lyons, the concert experience features visual projections, photos, musical excerpts and a full performance in the second half of Symphony No.5 by the orchestra with John DeMain conducting.
Maestro John DeMain shares insights about the MSO presentation. “This is one of the great offerings of Beyond the Score. Three generations of great Russian composers influenced Sergei Prokofiev from childhood into his adult years, helping him create the most popular of his big symphonies, his fifth. I have so much fun working with the great actors from the American Players Theatre as they interweave the backstory with the orchestra. The visuals for this production are spectacular. After intermission, we play this wonderful symphony in its entirety.”
Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, published in 1944, is a musical celebration to the end of World War II. Taking inspiration from his experiences in America and his return to the Soviet homeland after the war, Prokofiev expresses the heroic, beautiful, and strong nature of music. This Beyond the Score production joins Prokofiev at the end of World War II and discovers his inspiration for Symphony No. 5. Incorporating war video footage and propaganda photos, the program presents the historical context behind the classical piece turned masterpiece.
Concert, Ticket and Event Details
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. Program notes are available online for viewing in advance of the concerts: http://bit.ly/msojan20programnotes
- Single Tickets are $16-$70 each and are on sale now at: https://madisonsymphony.org/event/beyond-the-score-2020-prokofiev/ through the Overture Center Box Office at 201 State Street, or by calling the Box Office at (608) 258-4141. Fees apply to online/phone sales.
- Groups of 10 or more can save 25% by calling the MSO office at (608) 257-3734. For more information, visit, https://www.madisonsymphony.org/groups.
- Seniors age 62 and up receive 20% savings on advance and day-of-concert ticket purchases in select areas of the hall.
Discounted seats are subject to availability, and discounts may not be combined.
ABOUT BEYOND THE SCORE®
For newcomers to classical music and longtime aficionados alike, each Beyond the Score® presentation is a dramatic exploration of a composer’s music. Through live actors, stunning visual projections and virtuosic fragments of live music performed by members of the orchestra, the compelling story of the composer’s life and art unfolds, illuminating the world that shaped the music’s creation. Beyond the Score presentations weave together theater, music and design to draw audiences into the concert hall and into a work’s spirit.
The program seeks to open the door to the symphonic repertoire for first-time concertgoers as well as to encourage an active, more fulfilling way of listening for seasoned audiences. At its core is the live format of musical extracts, spoken clarification, theatrical narrative, and hand-paced projections on large central surfaces, performed in close synchrony. After each program, audiences return from intermission to experience the resulting work performed in a regular concert setting, equipped with a new understanding of its style and genesis.
Beyond the Score® is a production of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Gerard McBurney, Creative Director for Beyond the Score®
ABOUT THE MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Madison Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 94th season in 2019–2020. 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. Learn more at madisonsymphony.org
Exclusive funding for this concert is provided by the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation.
Link to photos of John DeMain and the Madison Symphony Orchestra: http://bit.ly/mso19-20orchestraphotos
Link to MSO 19-20 concert and artist photos: http://bit.ly/mso19-20symphonyphotos
Link to 19-20 Madison Symphony season website pages: https://madisonsymphony.org/19-20
Link to January “Beyond the Score®: Sergei Prokofiev Symphony No.5: Pure Propaganda?” concert: https://madisonsymphony.org/event/beyond-the-score-2020-prokofiev/
Link to January “Beyond the Score®: Sergei Prokofiev Symphony No.5: Pure Propaganda?” concert photos: http://bit.ly/msojan20photos
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
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