FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2019 (updated, October 7, 2019)
Violinist Rachel Barton Pine Debuts with the Madison Symphony Orchestra — Featuring an All-Russian Program
“Rachel Barton Pine Plays Khachaturian” concerts, October 18-20
Madison, Wis. – Violinist Rachel Barton Pine makes her long-overdue debut with the Madison Symphony Orchestra with Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto in D minor. The concert opens with Prokofiev’s Suite from Lieutenant Kijé and concludes with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9.
Performances will be held on Friday, October 18th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 19th at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, October 20th at 2:30 p.m. in Overture Hall, at 201 State Street.
Maestro John DeMain shares his insights on the world-renowned violinist: “There will be great discoveries in our all-Russian concert, starting with the MSO debut of virtuoso violinist Rachel Barton Pine playing the Khachaturian Violin Concerto, a big, bold and beautiful work in its MSO premiere. Lieutenant Kijé is sure to delight you with its wonderful melodies and infectious rhythms. Shostakovich has become a favorite with our audiences, and his ninth symphony is delightfully upbeat.”
Lieutenant Kijé is the fictional protagonist of an anecdote about the reign of Emperor Paul I of Russia. The story was used as the basis of a novella by Yury Tynyanov published in 1928 and filmed in 1934 with music by Sergei Prokofiev. The plot is a satire on bureaucracy and is often parodied in fictional works making fun of bureaucracies, most famously in the form of the M*A*S*H episode “Tuttle,” featuring a fictional captain of similar provenance.
A myriad of the themes in Violin Concerto in D minor are evocative of Khachaturian’s native Armenia. Although the folk melodies aren’t played explicitly, one can hear the Armenian roots through the oriental essence of the scales and the rhythmic range of the featured dances. This tremendous piece won the Stalin Prize in 1941, becoming one of Khachaturian’s favorites.
Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9 is entirely unlike his other symphonies. In fact, it completely disregards the expectations for its programmatic elements. Shostakovich’s prior two symphonies are thematically tied to the ongoing war, therefore the public presumed that the ninth symphony would be a grand culmination to Stalin and mark the war’s end. Instead, the composer produced a short, neoclassical work that generated an abundance of controversy.
About Rachel Barton Pine
In both art and life, violinist Rachel Barton Pine has an extraordinary ability to connect with people. Celebrated as a leading interpreter of great classic and contemporary works, her performances combine her innate gift for emotional communication and her scholarly fascination with historical research. She plays with passion and conviction, thrilling audiences worldwide with her dazzling technique, lustrous tone, and infectious joy in music-making.
Pine’s 2018–19 season included concerts with the Columbus, Phoenix, Ann Arbor, Princeton, HiltonHead, Springfield, Chippewa Valley, and Illinois Symphonies; the New Mexico and Reno Philharmonics; the Heartland Festival, Philharmonia Baroque, and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestras; Mercury Houston, Orchestra Kentucky, and Syracuse Symphoria. Internationally, she performs with Belo Horizonte and Teatro Municipal (Sao Paolo) Orchestras, Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne, and the Tel Aviv Soloists.
Ms. Pine was recently named the recipient of the Cedille Records Musical Partnership Award for her Rachel Barton Pine Foundation. The Foundation was recognized as an organization that has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the classical music community in Chicago. Cedille noted the Foundation’s “support of the Chicago musical community’s most valuable asset — its musicians and composers.” Presented the award by Ruth Bader Ginsburg — whose son, Jim Ginsburg, founded Cedille — Rachel began her Foundation in 2001 to provide instruments and instruction to children who might not otherwise be able to afford them.
Read our Artist Story online about how Ms. Pine overcame adversity to conquer her goals: https://madisonsymphony.org/19-20-artist-story-rachel-barton-pine-overcomes-adversity/
Concert, Ticket and Event Details
The lobby opens 90 minutes prior to each concert. One hour before each performance, Michael Allsen will lead a 30-minute Prelude Discussion in Overture Hall to enhance concertgoers’ understanding and listening experience. It is free to ticketholders. The Symphony recommends concert attendees arrive early for each performance to make sure they have time to pass through Overture Center’s security stations, and so they can experience the Prelude Discussion. Program notes for the concerts are available online: http://bit.ly/msooct19programnotes.
- Single Tickets are $19-$95 each and are on sale now at: https://madisonsymphony.org/event/rachel-barton-pine-plays-khachaturian/ 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.
- Student rush tickets can be purchased in person on the day of the concert at the Overture Center Box Office at 201 State Street. Students must show a valid student ID and can receive up to two $15 or $20 tickets. More information is at: https://www.madisonsymphony.org/studentrush
- Seniors age 62 and up receive 20% savings on advance and day-of-concert ticket purchases in select areas of the hall.
- Flex-ticket booklets of 8-10 vouchers for 19-20 symphony subscription concerts are available. Learn more at: https://madisonsymphony.org/flex
- Subscriptions for the 2019–2020 season are available now. Learn more at: https://madisonsymphony.org/19-20
Discounted seats are subject to availability, and discounts may not be combined.
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. Learn more at madisonsymphony.org.
Presenting sponsorship for the October concert is provided by the Steinhauer Charitable Trust. Major funding provided by The Gialamas Company, Inc. and Madison Gas & Electric Foundation, Inc. Additional funding provided by DeWitt LLP, John A. Johnson Foundation, a component fund of the Madison Community Foundation, Barbara J. Merz, Rodney Schreiner and Mark Blank, Selma Van Eyck, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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 October “Rachel Barton Pine Plays Khachaturian” concerts: https://madisonsymphony.org/event/rachel-barton-pine-plays-khachaturian/
Link to photos for October “Rachel Barton Pine Plays Khachaturian” concerts: http://bit.ly/msooct19
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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