Name: Legacy
Start: 2025-03-16T14:30:00
Location: Overture Center for the Arts

From the enchanting notes of a Christmas tradition to the stirring chords of Beethoven, the Madison Symphony Orchestra's 2024-2025 season offers a rich tapestry of musical experiences. This season, audiences can bask in the festive glow of 'A Madison Symphony Christmas,' journey through Beethoven's masterpieces in 'Beethoven x3,' and feel the force with a live performance of 'Star Wars: A New Hope.' The season also explores timeless works by Strauss and Mozart in 'Legacy,' celebrates human connections in 'Yearnings,' and culminates with the jazz-infused brilliance of Gershwin. Join us at the Overture Center for the Arts for a season of unforgettable performances.

A Symphony of Seasons: Madison Symphony Orchestra's 2024-2025 Highlights

The Madison Symphony Orchestra presents an exciting season filled with diverse musical events, ranging from Beethoven's iconic compositions to the cinematic grandeur of Star Wars, the profound legacies of Mozart and Strauss, yearning themes in orchestral music, and the jazzy brilliance of Gershwin's classics. Each event is meticulously crafted to offer an unforgettable experience. Join us as we explore these captivating performances that promise to leave a lasting impact.

Madison Symphony Orchestra: A Season of Diverse Musical Masterpieces

The Madison Symphony Orchestra embarks on an exhilarating journey through classical and cinematic masterpieces in its upcoming season. From Beethoven's profound compositions to the timeless allure of Gershwin, each concert promises unique artistic experiences. Notable performers like Gil Shaham, John DeMain, and Michelle Johnson will grace the stage, delivering renditions that blend tradition with innovation. Whether it’s the groundbreaking orchestral performances or the enchanting scores from iconic films, the season is set to captivate audiences with its diversity and depth.

Madison Symphony Orchestra: A Season of Musical Mastery and Emotional Journey

Join us as we delve into the Madison Symphony Orchestra's 2025 season, a captivating blend of iconic cinematic music, classical masterpieces, and jazz-infused performances. From the grandeur of 'Star Wars: A New Hope' to the emotive power of Strauss and Mozart, the yearning for connection in 'Yearnings,' and the vibrant finale of Gershwin's works, this season is filled with musical diversity and excellence. Under the baton of renowned conductors with the accompaniment of world-class musicians, each performance promises to be an unforgettable experience.

A Melodic Journey: Discover the Madison Symphony Orchestra's 2025 Season Highlights

The Madison Symphony Orchestra invites you to an unforgettable season of music, exploring the profound impact of classical masterpieces and the dynamic evolution of orchestral music. With an array of captivating performances including the timeless pieces of Strauss and Mozart, the yearning harmonies of Barber, and the jazzy brilliance of Gershwin, this season promises to capture the hearts and minds of all music lovers. Join us as we embark on a sonic journey celebrating the legacy of the past and the innovative spirit of the present.

Madison Symphony Orchestra's Upcoming Season: A Journey Through Legacy, Yearnings, and Gershwin

Matt Boehler

Amanda Majeski

John DeMain

Kirsten Lippart

Martin  Luther Clark

Madison Symphony Orchestra

This spectacular annual celebration has become a joyful way to begin the holiday season in our community for concertgoers of all ages. It’s no wonder that Maestro DeMain is bringing two of his favorite soloists, soprano Alexandra LoBianco and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen, to share their gifts, for his 32nd season. The Madison Symphony Chorus, Madison Youth Choirs, and the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir join us to bring this special concert to life. You’ll experience the same blend of familiar and new once again this year. The experience starts with caroling in the lobby with the Chorus before each performance to set the mood. Bring your family and friends to share this beloved Madison tradition with us!

A Madison Symphony Christmas 2025

Overture Center for the Arts

Your Symphony’s new year begins with Gabriela Lena Frank’s Escaramuza (meaning “skirmish” in Spanish) — a dynamic and colorful work inspired by her Peruvian heritage. This spirited piece captures the energy of the lively Kachampa Andean dance celebrating the agility and strength of Inca warriors. Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier Suite is a symphonic distillation of his beloved opera, bursting with elegance, humor, and romantic nostalgia — sweeping waltzes and tender love duets that have enchanted audiences for more than a century. Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 is a monumental work that combines virtuosic piano passages with symphonic grandeur. One of our favorite pianists, the magisterial Yefim Bronfman, brings his formidable technique and interpretative depth to this masterpiece. The sheer beauty of this work will lift our spirits to start a new year together.

Heartbeat

Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a decidedly playful overture by a very youthful Felix Mendelssohn (composed when he was just 17 years old). This sparkling work captures the magic of the fairy kingdom, the humor of the lovers’ entanglements, and the grandeur of Theseus’ court. Violinist Rachel Barton Pine returns to play Korngold’s Violin Concerto — a lush and romantic work that glows with cinematic beauty and emotional depth — bridging the worlds of classical music and Hollywood film scores. Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune is dreamlike music inspired by Stéphane Mallarmé’s poem about a faun’s sensual reverie that paints a lush and languid musical landscape, and a sense of wonder. Stravinsky’s ballet Petrushka tells the story of a tragic puppet brought to life by a magician, set against the vibrant backdrop of a Russian fair. All four of these lively pieces of music will fill us with a lightness of being.

Playful Pursuits

Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks is a mischievous tone poem that follows the antics of a legendary trickster. From daring escapades to clever pranks, the music captures Till’s irreverent spirit with virtuosic orchestral writing and humor. Emanuel Ax returns to lend his mastery and lyricism to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 — a work filled with grandeur and elegance composed at the height of his creative genius. Grammy winning composer Gabriela Ortiz grew up steeped in the indigenous music of her native Mexico. Her Téenek channels the spirit of the Huasteca region of Mexico. Respighi’s Pines of Rome is a symphonic masterpiece that paints a vivid portrait of Italy’s Eternal City through its famous pine trees — opening with a scene of children at play, and ending with a depiction of a Roman Army on the march. This work’s dramatic orchestration, including offstage brass and bird calls, creates a sensory experience like no other. You’ll feel energy, power, and sense of place in each piece of music at this concert.

Force of Nature

Madison Symphony Orchestra’s MSO at the Movies presents Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert featuring John Williams’ GRAMMY® Award-winning score performed live to the film led by conductor Kyle Knox at Overture Hall.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert

Peruvian composer Jimmy López’s Fiesta! Four Pop Dances for Orchestra is a vibrant and exhilarating celebration of life, culture, and happiness. Filled with pulsating rhythms, bold colors, and infectious energy, it draws from the rich traditions of Latin American music and ends with a blazing Techno finale. Rodrigo’s Concierto Andaluz performed by the world-renowned Los Angeles Guitar Quartet celebrates the spirit of Andalusia, a region in southern Spain with its lively rhythms and soulful melodies. Each movement captures a unique aspect of Spanish culture, from the exuberance of a flamenco dance to the delicate beauty of a serenade. This work shines as a testament to Rodrigo’s genius and the flavorful allure of Spanish music. Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 is a powerful work often described as the “Symphony of Independence.” It is deeply rooted in the Finnish composer’s national identity, filled with moments of lyrical beauty and triumphant resolve. We’ll come away from this concert feeling the rhythms of living through music.

Four the Soul

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is often described as “fate knocking at the door.” The symphony reflects his personal struggle with adversity and his triumph over despair — bursting with vitality, defiance, and an unshakable belief in the human spirit — transcending its time and place to become a symbol and voice of resilience, freedom, and hope. Looking to the future, the MSO has commissioned composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer to create a world premiere work in celebration of our 100th Anniversary. EARTH: A Choral Symphony will celebrate our beautiful planet and humanity’s place on it. Composed in four movements, the piece explores themes of truth and possibility, with each movement touching on a different aspect of the wonder of Earth and our place in its story. John DeMain and the Madison Symphony Orchestra, famed Met Opera soprano Ailyn Pérez, and three choruses, will weave together elements of the story in these world premiere performances. We invite you to witness the birth of this dramatic new work that will speak of our Earth, the vibrant place we share together.

Voices Eternal

Following the conclusion of our 25/26 subscription season, join us for “A Community Gift and Dream — for the Love of Music” June 13-14, 2026.

A Community Gift and Dream — for the Love of Music

The lasting impact of two composers, Richard Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is explored through their final works in this concert. After opening with one of Strauss’ great tone poems Don Juan, soprano Amanda Majeski takes the stage with the orchestra for what Strauss himself called his Four Last Songs. Majeski, mezzo-soprano Kirsten Lippart, tenor Martin Luther Clark, bass Matt Boehler, and the Madison Symphony Chorus come together for Mozart’s Requiem, the work he wrote from his death bed and left unfinished. When he passed, his associate Franz Xaver Süssmayr completed the composition. It lives on as one of the most profoundly beautiful works ever created.

Legacy

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