Madison
Symphony Orchestra Program Notes by Michael Allsen
Comments on these pages are welcome—just send me a note at mike@allsenmusic.com.
Program
notes contained here are for the use of the Madison Symphony
Orchestra and its patrons, and other interested readers.
Any other use is forbidden without specific permission from the
author.
last update:
5/4/25
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| 2025-26
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Madison Symphony Orchestra - 100th Season |
| Sep.
19, 2025 |
Opening Night
Gala: Tchaikovsky, Romeo
and Juliet: Fantasy Overture / Tchaikovsky,
Piano Concerto No.1 / Tchaikovsky,
Theme and Variations from Suite No.3 downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Sep.
20, 2025 |
Cirque de la Symphonie downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Oct. 2, 2025 |
Organ Series 1 downloadable "large print" PDF version. read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Oct. 5, 2025 |
MSO at the Movies: Toy Story (score by Randy Newman) |
| Oct.
17-18-19, 2025 |
Subscription
1: Bates, Resurrexit / Franck, Symphonic
Variations / Mahler, Symphony No.2,
"Resurrection" downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Nov. 18, 2025 |
Organ Series 2 downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Nov.
21-22-23, 2025 |
Subscription
2: Theofanidis, Rainbow Body / Haydn,
Cello Concerto in D Major / Mussorgsky, Pictures
at an Exhibition (orc. Ravel) downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Dec.
5-6-7, 2025 |
Subscription
3: "A Madison Symphony Christmas" downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Jan.
23-24-25, 2026 |
Subscription
4: Frank, Escaramuza / Strauss,
Suite from "Der Rosenkavalier" / Brahms,
Piano Concerto No.2 downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Feb.20-21-22, 2026 | Subscription
5: Mendelssohn, Overture to "A Midsummer Night's Dream" /
Korngold, Violin Concerto / Debussy,
Prelude to "The Afternoon of a Faun" / Stravinsky,
Petrushka (1947 version) downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Feb. 24, 2026 |
Organ Series 3 downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Mar.
20-21-22 , 2026 |
Subscription
6: Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry
Pranks / Mozart, Piano Concerto
No.25 / Ortiz,
Téenek – Inventiones del territorio / Respighi,
Pines of Rome downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Mar. 28-29, 2026 |
MSO at the Movies: Indiana Jones
and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (score by John
Williams) |
| Mar. 31, 2026 |
Organ Series 4 downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| Apr.
10-11-12, 2026 |
Subscription
7: López, Fiesta! Four Pop Dances for Orchestra
/ Rodrigo, Concierto Arajuanez /
Sibelius, Symphony No.2 downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| May
1-2-3, 2024 |
Subscription
8: Beethoven, Symphony No.5,
/ Jake Heggie/Gene Scheer, EARTH: A Choral
Symphony (world premiere) downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| June
14, 2026 |
Centennial
Festival Concert: Shostakovich, Festive Overture
/ Sarasate, Fantasy on Bizet's "Carmen "
/ Gershwin, An American in Paris / Holst.
The Planets (selections) / Beethoven, Symphony
No.9 (choral finale) downloadable "large print" PDF version read online at madisonsymphony.org |
| 2024-25
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Madison Symphony Orchestra - 99th Season |
| Sep.
20-21-22, 2024 |
Coleman,
Umoja: Anthem of Unity / Jongen, Symphonie Concertante /
Tchaikovsky, Variations on a Rococo Theme
/ Falla, Suite No.2 from "The
Three-Cornered Hat" |
| Oct. 3, 2024 |
Organ Series No.1 |
| Oct.
18-19-20, 2024 |
Clyne,
This Midnight Hour / Vaughan Williams, The
Lark Ascending / Ravel, Tzigane
/ Berlioz, Symphonie fantastique |
| Nov. 21, 2024 |
Organ Series No.2 |
| Nov.
15-16-17, 2024 |
Leshnoff,
Rush for Orchestra / Grieg, Piano
Concerto / Shostakovich, Symphony No,5 |
| Nov. 23, 2024 |
MSO at the Movies: Coco (score by
Michael Giacchino) |
| Dec.
6-7-8, 2024 |
"A Madison Symphony Christmas" |
| Jan.
17-18-19, 2025 |
Beethoven,
Leonore Overture No.3 / Beethoven, Triple
Concerto / Beethoven, Symphony No.2 |
| Feb. 22-23, 2025 |
MSO at the Movies: Star Wars: A New Hope (score by John Williams) |
| Feb. 25, 2025 |
Organ Series No.3 |
| Mar.
14-15-16, 2025 |
Strauss,
Don Juan / Strauss, Four Last Songs
/ Mozart,
Requiem |
| Apr. 3, 2025 |
Organ Series No.4 |
| Apr.
11-12-13, 2025 |
Barber, Second
Essay for Orchestra / Puts, Contact
/ Prokofiev, Selections from "Romeo and
Juliet" |
| May
9-10-11, 2024 |
Gershwin,
Cuban Overture, / Gershwin, Piano
Concerto in F / Gershwin, Porgy and
Bess: A Concert of Songs (arr. Bennett) |
| 2023-24
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Madison Symphony Orchestra - 98th Season |
| Sep. 22-23-24, 2023 |
Copland,
Appalachian Spring / Gershwin, Rhapsody
in Blue / Adams, The Chairman Dances /
Hanson, Symphony No.2 (Romantic) |
| Oct. 6, 2023 |
Organ Series No.1 |
| Oct.
20-21-22, 2023 |
Bernstein,
Dance Variations from "Fancy Free" / Shostakovich,
Violin Concerto No.1 / Brahms, Piano
Quartet in G minor (orch. Schoenberg) |
| Nov. 11, 2023 |
Organ Series No.2 |
| Nov.
17-18-19, 2023 |
Mozart, Symphony
No.35 (Haffner) / Schumann, Piano
Concerto / Dawson, Negro Folk Symphony |
| Dec.
1-2-3, 2023 |
"A Madison Symphony Christmas" |
| Jan.
19-20-21, 2024 |
Mozart, Piano
Concerto No.24 / Mahler, Symphony
No.5. |
| Feb. 20, 2024 |
Organ Series No.3 |
| Feb. 24, 2024 |
MSO at the Movies: Pixar in Concert™ |
| Mar.
15-16-17, 2024 |
Higdon, Loco
/ Kabalevsky, Cello Concerto No.2 /
Dvořák Symphony No.9
(From the New World) |
| Apr.
12-13-14, 2024 |
Verdi,
Requiem |
| Apr. 19, 2024 |
Organ Series No.4 |
| May
1-2-3, 2024 |
Moncayo,
Huapongo / Falla, Nights in the
Gardens of Spain / Revueltas, Suite from
"La noche de los Mayas" / selections from Mariachi
de los Camperos |
| 2022-23 | Madison Symphony Orchestra - 97th Season |
| Sept.
23-24-25, 2022 |
Mozart, Oboe
Concerto / Beethoven Symphony No.9
(Choral) |
| Sept. 27, 2022 |
Organ Series No.1 |
| Oct.
14-15-16, 2022 |
Strauss,
Death and Transfiguration / Barber, Violin
Concerto / Mendelssohn, Symphony No.3
(Scottish) |
| Oct. 25, 2022 |
Organ Series No.2 |
| Nov.
11-12-13, 2022 |
Márquez,
Danzón No.2 / Bruch, Concerto for Two
Pianos / Tchaikovsky, Symphony No.6
("Pathétique") |
| Dec.
2-3-4, 2022 |
"A Madison Symphony Christmas" |
| Jan.
20-21-22, 2023 |
Schubert,
Symphony No.3 / Bartók, Suite from "The
Miraculous Mandarin" / Rachmaninoff, Piano
Concerto No.3 |
| Feb.
17-18-19, 2023 |
Montgomery,
Coincident Dances / Beethoven, Piano
Concerto No.3 /
Dvořák, Symphony No.6 |
| Feb. 28, 2023 |
Organ Series No.3 |
| Mar.
19, 2023 |
"Beyond the
Score" - Mahler, Symphony No.4 |
| Apr.
14-15-16, 2023 |
Britten,
Four Sea Interludes from "Peter Grimes" / Saint-Saëns,
Violin Concerto No.3 / Brahms, Symphony
No.2 |
| Apr. 18, 2023 |
Organ Series No.4 |
| May
5-6-7, 2023 |
Price,
Symphony No.3 / Orff, Carmina Burana |
| 2021-22 | Madison Symphony Orchestra - 96th Season | |
| Sept.
24-25-26, 2021 |
Elgar, Introduction
and Allegro / Poulenc, Concerto for
Organ, Strings, and Timpani / Tchaikovsky, Serenade
for String Orchestra |
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| Oct.
15-16-17, 2021 |
Ravel, Alborada
del grazioso / Rachmaninoff, Rhapsody on
a Theme of Paganini / Beethoven, Symphony
No.3 ("Eroica") |
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| Oct. 19, 2021 |
Organ Series No.1 |
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| Nov.
12-13-14, 2021 |
Honegger,
Rugby /
Dvořák, Cello Concerto
/ Walker, Lyric for String Orchestra / Grofé,
Grand Canyon Suite |
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| Dec.
3-4-5, 2021 |
"A Madison Symphony Christmas" | |
| Jan.
21-22-23, 2022 |
Kabalevsky,
Colas Breugnon Overture / Marsalis, Violin
Concerto in D / Saint-Saëns, Symphony
No.3 ("Organ") |
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| Feb
13, 2022 |
"Beyond the Score" - Stravinsky, Rite of Spring | |
| Feb. 15, 2022 |
Organ Series No.2 |
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| Mar.
11-12-13, 2022 |
Rachmaninoff,
Isle of the Dead / Kodály, Háry János
Suite / Beethoven, Violin Concerto |
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| Mar. 15, 2022 |
Organ Series No.3 | |
| Apr. 8-9-10, 2022 | Haydn, Violin Concerto No.4 / Beethoven, Missa Solemnis | |
| May
6-7-8, 2022 |
Beethoven,
Egmont Overture / Beethoven, Piano
Concerto No.5, "Emperor" / Beethoven, Symphony
No.5 |
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| May 20, 2022 |
Organ Series No.4 |
| 2020-21 | Madison Symphony Orchestra - 95th Season |
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NOTE:
concerts by the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Chorus were
suspended in 2020-21, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most of the repertoire planned for the season appears in
2021-22. |
| 2019-20 |
Madison Symphony Orchestra - 94th Season |
| Sept.
27-28-29, 2019 |
Wagner,
Overture and Venusburg Music from "Tannhäuser" / Barber,
Toccata Festiva / Debussy, Prelude to
"The Afternoon of a Faun" / Dvorák, Symphony
No.7 |
| Oct.
18-19-20, 2019 |
Prokofiev,
Suite from "Lieutenant Kijé" / Khachaturian,
Violin Concerto / Shostakovich, Symphony
No.9 |
| Nov.
8-9-10, 2019 |
Kernis, Newly
Drawn Sky / Prokofiev, Piano Concerto
No.3 / Schumann, Symphony No.2 |
| Dec.
13-14-15, 2019 |
"A Madison Symphony Christmas" |
| Jan.
19, 2020 |
"Beyond the Score" - Prokofiev, Symphony No.5 |
| Feb.
14-15-16, 2020 |
Berlioz,
Le Corsaire / Brahms, Double Concerto
/ Copland, Symphony No.3 |
| Mar.
6-7-8, 2020 |
Haydn, Symphony
No.96 ("Miracle") / Mendelssohn, Violin
Concerto / Strauss, Ein Heldenleben |
| Apr.
3-4-5, 2020 |
Dvorák, Requiem |
| May
1-2-3, 2020 |
Weber, Overture to "Euryanthe" / Stravinsky, Petrushka / Brahms, Piano Concerto No.1 |
| 2018-19 | Madison
Symphony Orchestra - 93rd Season |
| Sept. 28-29-30, 2018 |
Higdon, Fanfare Ritmico / Prokofiev, Excerpts from "Romeo and Juliet" / Brahms, Piano Concerto No.2 |
| Oct. 19-30-21, 2018 |
Oesterle,
Home / Elgar,
Cello Concerto
/ Tchaikovsky, Symphony No.5 |
| Nov. 9-10-11, 2018 |
Bernstein,
Overture to "Candide"
/ Bernstein, Three Dance
Episodes from "On the Town" / Bernstein,
Symphony No.2, Age of Anxiety / Beethoven,
Symphony No.7 |
| Nov. 30, Dec. 1-2, 2018 |
"A Madison
Symphony Christmas" |
| Jan. 20, 2019 |
"Beyond the Score" - Mendelssohn,
Symphony No. 4 (Italian) |
| Feb. 15-16-17, 2019 |
Harbison, The Most Often Used Chords
/ Brahms, Violin
Concerto / Mussorgsky/Ravel, Pictures at an Exhibition |
| Mar. 8-9-10, 2019 |
Schubert,
Symphony No.8 (Unfinished) / Prokofiev,
Violin Concerto No.2 / Debussy, Rhapsody
for Clarinet and Orchestra / Vaughan
Williams, Tuba Concerto / Gershwin,
An American in Paris |
| Apr. 12-13-14, 2019 |
Mozart,
Symphony No. 38 (Prague) / Strauss,
Burleske / Ravel, Piano
Concerto in G / Debussy, La
Mer |
| May 3-4-5, 2019 |
Mahler,
Symphony No.8 |
| 2017-18 | Madison Symphony Orchestra - 92nd Season |
| Sept.
15-16-17, 2017 |
Bach/Stokowski, Toccata
and Fugue in D minor / Mendelssohn, Symphony
No.5 (Reformation) / Berlioz,
Harold in Italy |
| Oct.
20-21-22, 2017 |
Ravel, Mother Goose
Suite / Barber, Piano Concerto
/
Dvořák , Symphony No.9
(From the New World) |
| Nov.
17-18-19, 2017 |
Copland, Billy the Kid
Suite / Brubeck, Affinity:
Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra / Rodrigo,
Concierto de Aranjuez / Falla,
Three-Cornered Hat (complete ballet) |
| Dec. 1-2-3,
2017 |
“A Madison Symphony Christmas” |
| Jan. 19-20-21, 2018 |
Prokofiev, The Love for Three Oranges:
Symphonic Suite / Tchaikovsky, Violin
Concerto / Rachmaninoff, Symphony
No.3 |
| Feb.
16-17-18, 2018 |
Rossini, Overture to
"Semiramide" / Walton, Cello
Concerto / Brahms, Symphony No.1 |
| Mar. 18, 2018 |
"Beyond the Score" - Elgar, Enigma Variations |
| Apr.
13-14-15, 2018 |
Britten, Sinfonia da
requiem /
Dvořák , Violin Concerto
/ Schumann, Symphony No.1 (Spring) |
| May 4-5-6,
2018 |
Mozart, Overture
to "Don Giovanni" / Mozart, Piano
Concerto No.22 / Janácek, Glagolitic
Mass |
| 2016-17 |
Madison
Symphony Orchestra - 91st Season |
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Enescu,
Romanian Rhapsody No.1 / Corigliano,
Chaconne from "The Red Violin" / Holst,
The Planets |
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Elgar,
In the South (Alassio) / Bruch,
Violin Concerto No.1 / Kraggerud,
Three Postludes from "Equinox" /
Beethoven, Symphony No.6 (Pastorale) |
| Nov. 11-12-13, 2016 |
Debussy, Printemps / Mozart,
Concerto for Two Pianos / Shostakovich,
Symphony No.5 |
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“A Madison Symphony Christmas” |
| Jan. 14-15, 2017 |
"Beyond the
Score" - Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade |
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Barber,
Second Essay / Saint-Saëns, Piano
Concerto No.5 / Tchaikovsky, Symphony
No.6 (Pathétique) |
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Beethoven,
Egmont Overture / Hummel, Trumpet
Concerto / Strauss, An
Alpine Symphony |
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Schumann,
Manfred Overture / Lutoslawski,
Concerto for Orchestra / Rachmaninoff,
Piano Concerto No.3 |
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Stanford,
Concert Piece for Organ and Orchestra /
Brahms, German Requiem |