Christian religion | The Well-Tempered Ear

NPR names relevant classical albums in a musical Diary of the Plague Year of the pandemic, racial protests, wildfires and hurricanes

December 29, 2020
Leave a Comment

PLEASE HELP THE EAR. IF YOU LIKE A CERTAIN BLOG POST, SPREAD THE WORD. FORWARD A LINK TO IT OR, SHARE IT or TAG IT (not just “Like” it) ON FACEBOOK. Performers can use the extra exposure to draw potential audience members to an event. And you might even attract new readers and subscribers to the blog.

By Jacob Stockinger

For an unusual and difficult year, NPR (National Public Radio) and critic Tom Huizenga have found a new and unusual way to recommend this past year’s top classical music recordings.

On the “Deceptive Cadence” blog for NPR, Huizenga kept a personal month-by-month diary of “music and mayhem.”

For last February, for example, this ancient image of The Dance of Death inspired contemporary composer Thomas Adès to compose his own “Totentanz” or Dance of Death. (You can hear an excerpt from the work in the YouTube video at the bottom.)

Some of the thematically-related music is modern or contemporary, some of it is from the Baroque or Classical era.

In June, as protests against the death of George Floyd (below top) flared up and spread worldwide, NPR names a recording of the “Negro Folk Symphony” by African-American composers William Dawson and Ulysses Kay (below bottom), thereby helping to rediscover Black composers whose works have been overlooked and neglected in the concert hall and the recording studio.

Devastating wildfires on the West Coast, Presidential impeachment and hurricanes on the Gulf Coast also found their way into the choices of music to listen to.

It is an unusual approach, but The Ear thinks it works.

See and hear for yourself by going to the sonic diary and listening to the samples provided.

Here is a link to the NPR album diary: https://www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2020/12/21/947149286/music-and-mayhem-a-diary-of-classical-albums-for-a-troubled-2020

But many roads, if not all, lead to Rome, as they say.

What is also interesting is that a number of the NPR choices overlap with ones listed by music critics of The New York Times as the 25 best classical albums of 2020.

Some choices also are found on the list of the nominations for the Grammy Awards that will be given out at the end of January.

In other words, the NPR diary can also serve as yet another holiday gift guide if you have gift cards or money to buy some new and notable CDs, and are looking for recommendations.

Here is a link to the Times’ choices, which you can also find with commentary and a local angle, in yesterday’s blog post: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/17/arts/music/best-classical-music.html

https://welltempered.wordpress.com/2020/12/27/the-new-york-times-names-the-top-25-classical-recordings-of-2020-and-includes-sample-tracks/

And here is a list to the Grammy nominations: https://welltempered.wordpress.com/2020/11/28/for-holiday-shopping-and-gift-giving-here-are-the-classical-music-nominations-for-the-63rd-grammy-awards-in-2021/

What do you think of the NPR musical diary of the plague year?

Do you find it informative? Accurate? Interesting? Useful?

Would you have different choices of music to express the traumatic events of the past year?

The Ear wants to hear.

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #AbrahamLincoln, #African-AmericanComposer, #AlvinCole, #AmericanClassics, #AnnaClyne, #BaroqueMusic, #BerlinerBarockSolisten, #BerlinGermany, #BertrandChamayou, #Blackcomposers, #BlackMusic, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #BritishComposer, #BryceDessner, #C.E.P.Bach, #CarlPhilippEmanuelBach, #CarnegieHall, #CelloConcerto, #ChamberMusic, #ChoralMusic, #ChristianReligion, #ClariceJensen, #Classicalera, #ConcertHall, #ContemporaryMusic, #CoronavirusPandemic, #COVID-19, #DanceofDeath, #DavidLang, #DeceptiveCadence, #DonaldNally, #DonaldTrump, #DriftMutiply, #ElectronicMusic, #EnslavedPeople, #FacebookPost, #FacebookPosting, #FemaleComposer, #FerruccioBusoni, #FredericChopin, #FrenchMusician, #GeorgeFloyd, #GoodNight, #GrammyAward, #GrammyNominations, #GulfCoast, #HolidayGiftGuide, #HumanVoice, #iIanoConcerto, #InbalSegev, #JacobStockinger, #JesusChrist, #JonasKaufmann, #JustConstellations, #KirillGerstein, #LeopoldStokowski, #LeosJanacek, #LithuanianNationalSymphony, #LiveMusic, #LondonEngland, #LondonPhilharmonic, #MarinAlsop, #MassProtests, #MichaelHarrison, #MusicCritic, #MusicCritics, #NationalPublicRadio, #NaxosRecords, #NewMusic, #NewYorkCity, #NewYorkPhilharmonic, #NewYorkTimes, #OlegBezborodko, #OperaMusiclibretto, #OrchestralMusic, #PaulMoravec, #PhiladelphiaPennsylvania, #PianoConcertino, #PoliceShooting, #PoliticallyRelevant, #PresidentTrump, #ProtectYourselfFromInfection, #RacialJustice, #RecordedMusic, #RecordingStudio, #RoomfulofTeeth, #SanctuaryRoad, #SarahKirklandSnider, #SocialJustice, #SociallyRelevant, #SocialMedia, #SystemicRacism, #TenorSinger, #TheCrossing, #TheEar, #TheodoreRoosevelt, #ThomasAdès, #TomHuizenga, #TristanPerich, #UkrainianComposer, #UndergroundRailroad, #UnitedKingdom, #UnitedStates, #ValentinSilvestrov, #VikingurOlafsson, #VocalMusic, #WestCoast, #WilliamDawson, #WilliamGrantStill, #YouTubevideo, 2020, 2021, Abraham Lincoln, Adès, African American, Album, Alsop, Alvin Cole, American, American Classics, ancient, angle, anicent, Anna Clyne, April, Arts, audience, August, award, Bach, Baroque, Baroque music, beauty, behvaior, Berlin, Berliner Barock Solisten, Bertrand Chamayou, best, black, black music, blog, bond, British, British composer, Bryce Dessner, Busoni, C.P.E. Bach, cadence, California, call, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Carnegie Hall, Catholic, cautionary, cellist, Cello, Cello Concerto, Chamber music, Child, Choir, Chopin, choral music, Christ, Christian religion, Christianity, Clarice Jensen, Classical era, Classical music, classicalmusic, Clyne, comfort, commentary, compelling, composer, Concert, concert hall, concerto, conductor, confrontation, Constellation, contemporary, coronavirus, dance, Dance of Death, David Lang, Davidsen, deals]new, death, December, Deceptive Cadence, diary, difficult, Donald Nally, Donald Trump, Drift Multiply, Early music, electronic, email, enslaved, enslaved people, ephemeral, escape, excerpt, Facebook, faith, fatal, fauna, February, Feburary, female, female composer, Ferruccio Busoni, flared, flora, folk, forward, fragility, France, Frédéric Chopin, freedom, French, George Floyd, Gerstein, gift, gift card, God, good night, Grammy, Gulf Coast, harmonie, Harrison, Holiday, holiday gift, holiday gift guide, hope, horrifying, human, human voice, Hurricane, image, impreachment, Inbal Segev, infection, inspire, Jacob Stockinger, Janacek, January, Jensen, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonas Kaufmann, June, Just Constellations, Kaufmann, Kirill Gerstein, l, Leopold Stokowski, Leos Janacek, life, like, Lincoln, link, Lise Davidsen, listen, Lithuania, Lithuanian National Symphony, live concert, live music, Living composer, living composers, local, London, London Philharmonic, lullaby, Marin Alsop, Masonic, mass, mayhem, me, mesmerizing, Michael Harrison, money, Moravec, Mother, motorcycle, Music, music critic, National Public Radio, nature, Naxos, Naxos Records, Negro, nerves, New Music, New York City, New York Philharmonic, New York Times, nocturnal, nocturne, nominations, November, NPR, October, Olafsson, Oleg Bezborodko, opera, oratorio, Orchestra, orchestral, pandemic, Paul Moravec, People, Perich, personal, Philadelphia, Pianist, Piano, Piano Concertino, planet, poetic, police shooting, Politics, positive, post, posting, precise, precision, President, President Trump, programming, protect, Protect Yourself From Infection, protest, race, racial justice, racism, rally, reality, recorded music, recording, recording studio, rediscover, relevant, Religion, repetition, response, Revelation, rising, Roomful of Teeth, sanctuary, Sanctuary Road, Sarah Kirkland Snider, September, share, signature, Silvestrov, sing, singer, smart, smooth, social justice, social media, solitude, sonic, sorrow, soundtrack, spread, statues, studio, sweet, symphony, systemic racism, tag, tangy, tenor, terminal, test, texture, The Crossing, The Ear, thematic, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Ades, thrill, times, Tom Huizenga, top, Totentanz, traditional, traumatic, trial, Tristan Perich, troubled, U.K., Ukraine, Ukrainian, Ukrainian composer, Ulysses Kay, Underground Railroad, unite, United Kingdom, United States, unusual, Valentin Silvestrov, Vikingur Olafsson, Violin, violinist, vocal music, voice, west coast, wildfire, William Dawson, William Grant Still, Wisconsin, witty, woman, work, worldwide, year, yesterday, YouTube

Classical music: You be the critic. Was there a specific piece or an entire concert of holiday music that you especially liked – or disliked — this year?

December 26, 2018
Leave a Comment

IF YOU LIKE A CERTAIN BLOG POST, PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. FORWARD A LINK TO IT OR, SHARE or TAG IT (not just “Like” it) ON FACEBOOK. Performers can use the extra exposure to draw potential audience members to an event.

By Jacob Stockinger

Well, Hanukkah, the winter solstice and Christmas are over and we’ve just about made it through another holiday time, with Kwanzaa and New Year’s still to come.

Holiday music, especially choral music, is undeniably popular during holiday season.

Year after year, the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas program (below is a photo by Peter Rodgers) – which uses local and ethnically diverse talent and well as imported guest vocal artists — usually comes close to selling out three performances in Overture Hall.

And year after year for a decade, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Festival Choir plus guest soloists (below) sell out their one performance of “Messiah” at the Blackhawk Church in Middleton.

Plus, there are lots of other holiday events – including the Madison Bach Musicians with Baroque chamber music favorites and the Madison Choral Project with spoken word narration and new music as well as programs of traditional carols and hymns– that drew good crowds or even full houses.

There are so many holiday music events, in fact, that it can often be hard to choose.

So here is what The Ear is asking: You be the critic.

Please tell us if there was a particular piece of music you especially enjoyed – say, Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” or George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” or violin concertos by Arcangelo Corelli – music you really liked or disliked?

For next year, what do you recommend that people should keep an eye and ear out for, including programs on Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television as well as on other TV and radio stations?

Similarly, was there a specific program or event – an entire program or concert – that surprised you for better or worse?

Given the limited time that most people have during the holidays, what holiday concerts should people plan on attending or avoid next year?

Often the public trusts other audience members more than they trust professional critics.

So here is a chance for you to be a critic and to direct the public’s attention as well as to thank certain performers and groups for what you see as the Best Holiday Music of 2018.

The Ear wants to hear.

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #ArcangeloCorelli, #BaroqueMusic, #BlackhawkChurch, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #BlogReview, #ChoralMusic, #ChristianChurch, #ChristianReligion, #ChristmasOratorio, #EthnicDiversity, #FacebookPost, #FacebookPosting, #FestivalChoir, #FestivalChoirofMadison, #GeorgeFridericHandel, #GuestArtist, #HallelujahChorus, #Handel'sMessiah, #HolidayMusic, #HolidaySeason, #LivingComposers, #MadisonBach Musicians, #MadisonChoralProject, #MadisonSymphonyOrchestra, #MiddletonWisconsin, #NewMusic, #NewYear, #NewYear's, #OvertureHall, #RadioStation, #SpokenWord, #TelevisionStation, #TraditionalMusic, #ViolinConcerto, #WinterSolstice, #WisconsinChamberOrchestra, #WisconsinPublicRadio, #WisconsinPublicTelevision, #YouTubevideo, Arcangelo Corelli, Arts, Bach, Baroque, Baroque music, Blackhawk Church, blog, Carol, Cello, Chamber music, choral music, Christian religion, Christmas, Christmas Oratorio, church, Classical music, composer, concerto, decade, diversity, ear, Early music, ethnic, eye, Facebook, Festival Choir, Festival Choir of Madison, Festval Choir, Franz Schubert, George Frederic Handel, George Frideric Handel, groups, guest artist, Hallelujah Chorus, Hanukkah, Holiday, hymn, Jacob Stockinger, Kwanzaa, living composers, Madison, Madison Choral Project, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Messiah, Middleton, Mozart, Music, narration, New Year's, NPR, Orchestra, Overture Hall, performers, Piano, post, posting, professional, program, public, Radio, Religion, review, Season, singer, singers, soloists, Sonata, song, spoken word, station, sung, symphony, talent, Television, traditional, TV, United States, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Viola, Violin, Violin concerto, vocal music, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, wisconsin public radio, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, year, you, YouTube

Classical music: Here are playlists of the best classical music for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. What music would you choose?

December 24, 2018
1 Comment

REMINDER: A well-edited one-hour excerpt of the recent Christmas concert by the Madison Symphony Orchestra will air on Wisconsin Public Television at 9:30 p.m. this Tuesday, on Christmas Night. The Ear saw the first airing of the broadcast and highly recommends it. Both the programming and the performing are top-notch. It is a perfect way to wrap up your holiday.

By Jacob Stockinger

Today is Christmas Eve and tomorrow is Christmas Day.

Some people celebrate tonight and some people celebrate tomorrow.

But no matter when you mark the holiday with gifts, gathering and special food, great music has an integral place in the celebration.

Indeed, music seems nothing less than a great gift to the entire world. As the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.”

To help you celebrate, here are playlists of the best classical music, from Medieval times through Baroque music up to living composers, for marking Christmas.

Here are two playlists, with a total of two hours of music, already compiled and available on YouTube. Be sure to hit SHOW MORE at the top to see the complete title, composer’s name and timing of the selections:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrFCdi7apV8&list=PLcGkkXtask_cCaCLkrmuDUfukHct9eut-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voIrzsxeE6w

And perhaps best of all, here are several lists in the same place from famed classical radio station WQXR in New York City. They not only have generous sound samples, but also allow you to choose what genre of music you prefer — say, choral music or brass music or piano music to string quartet chamber music:

https://www.wqxr.org/story/essential-christmas-recordings/

What music would you choose as favorite Christmas fare?

The Ear wants to hear.

Enjoy! And Merry Christmas to all!

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #AntonioVivaldi, #ArcangeloCorelli, #ArvoPärt, #BaroqueMusic, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #BrassMusic, #CatholicMass, #ChamberMusic, #ChoralMusic, #ChristianReligion, #ChristmasDay, #ChristmasEve, #ChristmasMusic, #Christmasnight, #ChristmasOratorio, #DietrichBuxtehude, #FacebookPost, #FacebookPosting, #FelixMendelssohn, #FriedrichNietzsche, #GeorgeFridericHandel, #JeanSibelius, #JesusChrist, #JohannSebastianBach, #LivingComposers, #LudwigVanBeethoven, #MadisonSymphonyOrchestra, #Marc-AntoineCharpentier, #MedievalMusic, #MerryChristmas, #MessiahOratorio, #NewMusic, #NewYorkCity, #PeterIlyichTchaikovsky, #PianoMusic, #RalphVaughanWilliams, #RomanCatholic, #RomanCatholicism, #StringQuartet, #TheEar, #TheNutcracker, #TraditionalMusic, #WisconsinPublicTelevision, #WolfgangAmadeusMozart, #WQXRradio, #YouTubevideo, air, Arab, Arcangelo Corelli, Arts, Arvo Part, audience, Bach, Baroque, Baroque music, Beethoven, blog, brass music, Broadcast, Buxtehude, Carol, Catholicism, Cello, Chamber music, Charpentier, choral music, Christ, Christian religion, Christianity, Christmas Day, christmas eve, Christmas music, Christmas Night, Christmas Oratorio, Classical music, Compact Disc, composer, concerto, conductor, dance, dvent, Early music, enjoy, excerpt, Facebook, food, Friedrich Nietzsche, gathering, genre, George Frideric Handel, German, gift, hymn, integral, Jacob Stockinger, Jesus Christ, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, life, like, Living composer, Madison, Madison Symphony Orchestra, mass, Medelssohn, Medieval music, Merry Christmas, Messiah, name, New Music, New York City, Nutcracker, performer, performing, philosopher, Piano, piano music, playlist, post, posting, programming, share, Sibelius, String quartet, tag, Tchaikovsky, The Ear, timing, title, today, tomorrow, traditional music, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, University of Wisconsin–Madison, vaughan williams, Viola, Violin, Vivaldi, vocal music, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Television, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, world, WQXR, YouTube

Classical music: The Madison Choral Project will sing and celebrate young people’s “Hope for the Future” at its concerts this Saturday night and Sunday afternoon

December 13, 2018
Leave a Comment

By Jacob Stockinger

Christmas is for the children, goes the old saying — and in more than one way such as gift-giving. The birth of Jesus represents the birth of hope and salvation in Christianity.

Other holiday traditions can claim the same — the extra light theme of Hanukkah in Judaism and the harvest theme of the African celebration of Kwanzaa, for example — and of course the New Year will soon be here with its promise of hope and change.

Now the critically acclaimed and professional Madison Choral Project (below top, in a photo by Ilana Natasha) and its founder, artistic director and conductor Albert Pinsonneault – who used to teach at Edgewood College and now works at Northwestern University near Chicago while living in Madison – has taken that saying to a new level and given it new meaning.

You can hear the results for yourself this Saturday night, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon, Dec, 16, at 3 p.m. in Madison, and at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night, Dec. 18, in Milwaukee.

The Madison performances are at Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 East Gorham Street. The Milwaukee performance is at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 812 Jackson St.

Tickets are $24 in advance online; $28 at the door. Students with ID are $10. Preferred seating is $40.

The theme of the sixth holiday concert by MCP is “Hope in the Future,” which is relevant at any time but seems particularly so this year. So it includes specially commissioned writings by young people, middle school and high school students from grades 6 through 12. Their work will be read by Noah Ovshinsky (below), the news director at Wisconsin Public Radio.

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, so The Ear wants instead to direct you to a fine story about the MCP concert by reporter Gayle Worland for The Wisconsin State Journal.

There you will find out much more about the identities of the young writers, with a couple of examples of their work, and the inspiration or background of the theme that Pinsonneault (below) came up with.

Here is a link:

https://madison.com/wsj/entertainment/music/madison-choral-project-offers-young-vision-of-hope/article_9aff921e-2446-51d7-9c8c-5195e41f4b32.html

Unfortunately, what you will not find in that story or at the MCP’s home web page is the music program. No composers or specific works are mentioned.

But judging from past performances, you can count on outstanding repertoire of both classics and new music.

For more information about the MCP and its past concerts as well as it personnel and singers, go to: http://themcp.org

Here is a sample of the outstanding work by the Madison Choral Project:

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #AfricanHoliday, #AlbertPinsonneault, #ArtisticDirector, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #CathedralofSt.JohntheEvangelist, #ChamberChoir, #ChristianChurch, #ChristianReligion, #ChristPresbyterianChurch, #EdgewoodCollege, #FacebookPost, #FacebookPosting, #GayleWorland, #HighSchool, #HolidayConcert, #HolidayMusic, #HolidaySeason, #JesusChrist, #JewishHoliday, #MadisonChoralProject, #MiddleSchool, #MilwaukeeWisconsin, #NewMusic, #NewsDirector, #NewYear, #NoahOvshinsky, #NorthwesternUniversity, #WisconsinPublicRadio, #WisconsinStateJournal, #YoungPeople, African, Albert Pinsonneault, Artistic director, Arts, Baroque, birth, blog, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Chamber choir, Chamber music, change, Chicago, children, Choir, choral music, Christ Presbyterian Church, Christian church, Christian religion, Christianity, Christmas, Classical music, composer, conductor, dawn, Early music, Edgewood College, Facebook, founder, Gayle Worland, Hanukkah, harvest, high school, Holiday, holiday concert, holiday music, hope, Jacob Stockinger, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Judaism, Kwanzaa, light, like, link, Madison, Madison Choral Project, meaning, Middle school, Milwaukee, motif, Music, narrator, New Music, New Year, news, Noah Ovshinsky, Northwestern University, post, posting, Presbyterian, professional, promise, read, reader, Religion, reporter, salvation, share, story, Student, tag, theme, ticket, time, United States, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, University of Wisconsin–Madison, vocal music, Wisconsin, wisconsin public radio, Wisconsin State Journal, year, young people, YouTube

Classical music: Need a break from holiday shopping or final exams? A FREE “Just Bach” midday concert TODAY marks Christmas. On Friday at noon a free concert features violin music of Mozart and Ravel.

December 12, 2018
2 Comments

By Jacob Stockinger

Need a break from holiday shopping or final exams this week? Today’s post brings announcements of two short and appealing midday concerts:

TODAY

Just Bach is a new monthly series of hour-long concerts in Madison celebrating the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

The series continues with an end-of-semester performance at 1 p.m. TODAY, Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Luther Memorial Church, 1021 University Ave.

Admission is free with goodwill offerings accepted. Audience members are permitted to eat and drink during the performance.

Next semester’s dates are Jan. 23, Feb. 20, March 13, April 24 and May 29.

The orchestra of baroque period-instrument specialists will be led by concertmaster Kangwon Kim.

The goal of this series is to share the immense range of Bach’s vocal and instrumental repertoire with the Madison community at large. The period-instrument orchestra will bring the music to life in the manner and style that Bach (below) would have conceived.

The audience will be invited to sing along during the opening hymns and the closing cantata chorales.

Here is the complete program for today’s concert:

BWV 729: In dulci jubilo (Mark Brampton Smith, organ)

Chorale: Wie soll ich dich empfangen (How shall I embrace You?) from Part I of the Christmas Oratorio (All sing)

BWV 61: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Now come, Savior of the Heathen)

Chorale: Ich will dich mit Fleiss bewahren (I will cherish you assiduously) from Part III of the Christmas Oratorio (All sing)

Aria from BWV 213: Schlafe, mein Liebster (Sleep, my beloved)

Chorale: Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern Stall (Look there, there He lies in a dark stall) from Part II of the Christmas Oratorio (All sing)

Duet from BWV 110: Ehre sei Gott (Glory be to God)

SELECTIONS FROM PART IV OF BACH’S “CHRISTMAS ORATORIO”:

Recit and Chorale: Immanuel, o suesses Wort! (Emmanuel, oh sweet word!)

Aria: Floesst, mein Heiland, floesst dein Namen (My Saviour, Your name instills)

Recit and Chorale: Wohlan, dein Name soll allein (Well then, Your name alone)

Aria: Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben (I will live only to honor You)

Chorale: Brich an, o schoenes Morgenlicht (Break forth, oh beautiful morning light) from Part II of the Christmas Oratorio (All sing). You can hear it in the YouTube video at the bottom, performed by the critically acclaimed Sir John Eliot Gardiner, the English Baroque Soloists and the Monteverdi Choir, sung to pictures of Bach’s own manuscript.

Singers are Sarah Brailey and Elisheva Pront, sopranos; Cheryl Bensman-Rowe, mezzo-soprano; Wesley Dunnagan, tenor; and UW-Madison Professor Paul Rowe, bass.

The orchestra includes: Kangwon Lee Kim (below) and Nathan Giglierano, violins; Marika Fischer Hoyt and Micah Behr, violas; James Waldo, cello; and Mark Brampton Smith, organ.

FRIDAY

This Friday, Dec. 14, from 12:15 to 1 p.m. the FREE Friday Noon Musicale at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, 900 University Bay Drive, will features violinist Wendy Adams and pianist Ann Aschbacher.

The duo will perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Violin Sonata No. 35, K. 526 – which you can hear in the YouTube video at the bottom — and Maurice Ravel’s Violin Sonata No. 2

Here is some background:

The First Unitarian Society of Madison presents “Friday Noon Musicales,” a distinguished artist recital series now in its 31st season.

Talented area musicians play most every Friday, from October through May. Mostly classical music, but Broadway, jazz, folk and other styles are presented at times as well. Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and live music.

Concerts are free and open to the public. No ticket is required. All performances 12:15–1 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, 900 University Bay Drive.

Visit https://fusmadison.org/music for upcoming featured artists.

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #BaroqueMusic, #BaroqueOratorio, #BassSinger, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #BroadwayMusic, #BroadwayMusical, #CherylBensman-Rowe, #ChoralMusic, #ChristianChurch, #ChristianReligion, #ChristmasHoliday, #ChristmasOratorio, #EnglishBaroqueSoloists, #FacebookPost, #FacebookPosting, #FinalExam, #FirstUnitarianSocietyofMadison, #FolkMusic, #GermanLanguage, #HistoricallyInformedPerformancePractices, #HolidaySeason, #HolidayShopping, #InstrumentalMusic, #InstrumentalPlayer, #JazzMusic, #JesusChrist, #JohannSebastianBach, #JohnEliotGardiner, #JustBach, #KangwonKim, #LiveMusic, #LutherMemorialChurch, #MarikaFischerHoyt, #MauriceRavel, #MeadWitterSchoolofMusic, #Mezzo-sopranoSinger, #MiddayConcert, #MonteverdiChoir, #MusicCritic, #OrganMusic, #PaulRowe, #PeriodInstrument, #SarahBrailey, #SingAlong, #SopranoSinger, #TenorSinger, #UniversityofWisconsin-Madison, #UWProfessor, #ViolinMusic, #ViolinSonata, #VocalMusic, #WolfgangAmadeusMozart, #YouTubevideo, acclaimed, admission, aria, Arts, audience, Bach, Baroque, bass, Broadway music, Broadway musical, Cantata, cellist, Cello, Chamber music, cherish, Cheryl Bensman Rowe, choral music, Chorale, Christ, Christian, Christian religion, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Christmas Oratorio, Classical music, coffee, community, complimentary, composer, Concert, concertmaster, drink, Early music, eat, embrace, English Baroque Soloists, Facebook, final exam, First Unitarian Society of Madison, folk, forward, free, German language, good will, goodwill, historically informed performance practices, holiday season, hymn, instrumental, instrumental music, instrumentalist, Jacob Stockinger, Jazz, Jesus, Johann Sebastian Bach, John Eliot Gardiner, Just Bach, Kangwon Kim, light, link, live music, Luther Memorial Church, Madison, manuscript, Marika Fischer Hoyt, Maurice Ravel, May, Mezzo-soprano, Midday, Monteverdi Choir, morning, Music, music critic, musicale, Musician, name, October, Orchestra, organ, Paul Rowe, performance, period-instrument, Pianist, Piano, professor, recital, Religion, Sarah Brailey, saviour, score, semester, series, share, Shopping, sing, singer, Singing, Sonata, song, soprano, style, tag, tea, tenor, ticket, United States, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, University of Wisconsin–Madison, UW-Madison, video, Viola, Violin, violinist, vocal music, Wisconsin, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, YouTube

Classical music: The UW-Madison Choral Union and UW Symphony Orchestra perform the Duruflé Requiem and Kodaly “Te Deum” this coming Saturday and Sunday nights

December 5, 2018
3 Comments

By Jacob Stockinger

In Mills Hall this coming Saturday night, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. and Sunday night, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m., the University of Wisconsin-Madison Choral Union (below, in a photo by John W. Barker) and the UW Symphony Orchestra will perform two works: the Requiem by Maurice Duruflé; and the “Te Deum” by Zoltan Kodaly.

The Choral Union is a campus and community choral group that performs once each semester. This spring, it will take part in three performances of the Symphony No. 8, “The Symphony of a Thousand,” by Gustav Mahler with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, where conductor Beverly Taylor is the choral director.

In addition to the chorus and the orchestra there are student soloists.

In the Duruflé Requiem, the student soloists are: Michael Johnson, baritone; and Chloe Flesch, mezzo-soprano (below).

In the Kodaly “Te Deum,” the student soloists are: Jing Liu, soprano; Chloe Flesch, mezzo-soprano; Benjamin Hopkins, tenor; and bass Ben Galvin.

Tickets cost $17 for the public, $8 for students.

For more information about the works as well as a YouTube video preview of the Kodaly and information about how to obtain tickets in advance or at the door, go to: https://www.music.wisc.edu/event/choral-union-the-durufle-requiem/

Beverly Taylor (below), the longtime director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Mead Witter School of Music who will lead the performances, recently spoke to The Ear about the concert:

“I plan to retire in May 2020, so I’m picking some great music for my last few Choral Union concerts!

“I’ve always wanted to do the Duruflé Requiem, which Bruce Gladstone performed in Luther Memorial Church a few years ago in the organ version. But I knew we couldn’t get a good organ on stage in Mills Hall and still have room for the orchestra.

“I hadn’t realized that Duruflé (below) had written a full orchestra version without the organ, which is replaced by the woodwinds. So it seemed a wonderful piece to do. (You can hear the Kyrie movement from the Durufle Requiem in the YouTube video at the bottom.)

“Since I have the symphony orchestra only one semester, I ignore holiday music when it comes to programming for the Choral Union, and try to assemble a wonderful evening.

“The Duruflé piece sounds like music by Gabriel Fauré and other late French church works, with its less dramatic text choices and its warmth, lush color and tide-like swells and diminuendos.

“I’ve done the “Te Deum” by Kolday (below) twice before over my 24 years here. It continues to be a favorite, and I use it because I like it, because it’s about 20 minutes long and a good companion piece, and because it shows off the Choral Union so beautifully.

“It’s a work of great contrasts, from a thrilling opening to a quiet middle based on a Hungarian folksong, to a next-to-final fugato and to a very quiet ending.

“The only problem with this program? Both pieces end quietly! Can we still get a burst of applause?”

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #BeverlyTaylor, #BlogInterview, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #BruceGladstone, #ChloeFlesch, #ChoralMusic, #ChoralUnion, #ChristianChurch, #ChristianReligion, #ContrapuntalMusic, #FacebookPost, #FacebookPosting, #FolkMusic, #Frenchcomposer, #FrenchMusic, #GabrielFaure, #GustavMahler, #HolidayMusic, #HungarianComposer, #JohnW.Barker, #LutherMemorialChurch, #MadisonSymphonyChorus, #MadisonSymphonyOrchestra, #MartinLuther, #MauriceDuruflé, #MeadWitterSchoolofMusic, #Mezzo-sopranoSinger, #OrchestralMusic, #OrganMusic, #RomanCatholicism, #SopranoSinger, #SymphonyofaThousand, #SymphonyOrchestra, #TeDeum, #TenorSinger, #UniversityofWisconsin-Madison, #UWChoralUnion, #UWSymphonyOrchestra, #VocalMusic, #WoodwindSection, #YouTubevideo, #ZoltanKodaly, applause, Arts, baritone, bass, Beverly Taylor, blog, Bruce Gladstone, Campus, Cello, Chloe Flesch, choral music, Choral Union, Christian, Christian religion, church, Classical music, color, community, companion, composer, conductor, contrapuntal, counterpoint, director, Durufle, Facebook, Faure, Folk music, folksong, France, French music, fugato, Gabriel Fauré, Gustav Mahler, Holiday, holiday music, Hungary, information, interview, Jacob Stockinger, Kyrie, Luther Memorial Church, Lutheranism, Madison, Madison Symphony Chorus, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Martin Luther, Maurice Durufle, Mead Witter School of Music, Mezzo-soprano, movement, Music, Orchestra, organ, performance, post, posting, quiet, Requiem, retire, Retirement, Roman Catholicism, semester, soloist, soprano, Student, swells, symphony, Symphony of a Thousand, symphony orchestra, Te Deum, tenor, text, thrilling, ticket, United States, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, University of Wisconsin–Madison, UW Choral Union, UW Symphony Orchestra, vocal music, warmth, Wisconsin, wonderful, woodwinds, YouTube, Zoltan Kodaly

Classical music: The Madison Bach Musicians will give their eighth annual Baroque Holiday Concert this Saturday night

December 3, 2018
2 Comments

By Jacob Stockinger

The Madison Bach Musicians will give their eighth annual Baroque Holiday Concert (below in a 2014 photo by Kent Sweitzer) on this coming Saturday night, Dec. 8, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1609 University Avenue, near Camp Randall Stadium.

The critically acclaimed and well attended annual concert will follow the usual format with a 7:15 p.m.  lecture by founder, artistic director and keyboardist Trevor Stephenson (below) followed by the concert at 8 p.m.

A critically acclaimed chamber ensemble of voices and period instruments will perform masterworks from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Performers include: Hannah De Priest, soprano; Margaret Fox, mezzo-soprano; Ryan Townsend Strand, tenor; Matthew Chastain, bass-baritone; Arash Noori, theorbo; Katherine Shuldiner, viola da gamba; and Trevor Stephenson, harpsichord.

The Ear asked Stephenson: Why are vocal music and Baroque music both so popular during the holiday season?

He answered: “Many holiday traditions focus on soulfulness and reflection. So, as my great-grandmother used to say, “Pay attention to the singing, it is closest to the soul.””

“On top of this, Baroque music—as one of the great achievements of Western culture—is a natural when reflecting upon the past,” Stephenson adds. “Baroque music is also festive and uplifting, and there is, I believe, some message within its intricacies and design that suggests that there is “a beautiful crystalline structure within which we all live.” (These words come from my colleague Norman Sheppard.)

“This concert marks the Madison Bach Musicians’ eighth consecutive year in the magnificent setting of the First Congregational Church. I simply cannot imagine a better acoustic and spiritual ambiance for this music. (Below is a performance from the 2016 concert in the same church.)

“The program will progress in chronological order from the very early 16th century up to the middle 18th century, from Josquin des Prez to Johann Sebastian Bach.

“We’ll start with the Kyrie and Gloria movements from one of Josquin’s last completed masterworks, the Missa Pange Lingua (c. 1515). Martin Luther’s praise for Josquin’s compositional genius was boundless: “Joaquin (below) is the master of the notes. The notes must do as he wills; as for other composers, they have to do as the notes will.”

“MBM is thrilled that virtuoso lutenist Arash Noori (below) from New York City will join us for this concert; second on the program, Noori will perform (on theorbo, which is a mega-lute) Niccolo Piccinni’s sparkling Toccata Chromatic and Gagliarda Prima published in the early 17th century.

“We’ll follow this with three musical gems for vocal quartet and continuo from the Kleine geistliche Konzerte (Short Spiritual Concerts, 1636−1639) that Heinrich Schütz (below) composed specifically for small ensembles, which were all that were available during the devastation of the Thirty Years’ War (1618−1648).

“The second half of the program is devoted to works by Bach. We’ll start with the exquisite Sonata in G major for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord; gambist extraordinaire Kate Shuldiner (below) from Chicago will be featured and I’ll accompany her at the harpsichord.

“We’ll follow this with two Christmas songs from the Schemelli Songbook—a collection published in 1736 of more than 60 spiritual songs for which Bach wrote most of the harmonizations and contributed several great original tunes to boot.

“Soprano Hannah De Priest (below top) and mezzo-soprano Margaret Fox (below bottom) will be featured in the bouncy and charming duet, Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten (from Cantata 78, “We hasten, with weak, yet eager steps, O Jesus, O Master, to You, for help!”), which you can hear in the YouTube video at the bottom.) Bach not only worshipped God, but also felt comfortable enough in the relationship to occasionally party; this work is an ingenious fusion of high art and polka romp!

“The concert will conclude with Bach’s glorious motet, Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (Praise the Lord, All Ye Nations). It was Mozart who — when he journeyed to Leipzig in 1789, or 39 years after Bach’s death, and heard the Thomaskirche choir perform a Bach motet, from memory, no less — exclaimed, “Now here is something one can learn from!””

TICKET INFORMATION

Advance-sale discount  tickets are $30 general admission.

Tickets are also available at  Orange Tree Imports and the Willy Street Coop East and West.

You can also purchase advance tickets online: www.madisonbachmusicians.org

Tickets at the door are  $33 for general admission, $30 for seniors 65 and over. Student Rush tickets are $10 and will be on sale 30 minutes before the 7:30 p.m. lecture.

For more information, go to: www.madisonbachmusicians.org

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #ArashNoori, #ArtisticDirector, #BachCantata, #BaroqueMusic, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #CampRandallStadium, #ChamberMusic, #ChoralMusic, #ChristianChurch, #ChristianReligion, #ChristmasSong, #CriticallyAcclaimed, #FacebookPost, #FacebookPosting, #FirstCongregationalUnitedChurchofChrist, #Great-Grandmother, #HarpsichordContinuo, #HeinrichSchütz, #HighArt, #HolidayConcert, #HolidayMusic, #HolidaySeason, #JesusChrist, #JohannSebastianBach, #JosquindesPrez, #LeipzigGermany, #MadisonBachMusicians, #MartinLuther, #Mezzo-sopranoSinger, #NewYorkCity, #NiccoloPiccinni, #OrangeTreeImports, #PeriodInstruments, #SeniorCitizen, #SopranoSinger, #SpiritualMusic, #StudentRush, #TenorSinger, #TheLord, #ThirtyYearsWar, #ThomasKirche, #TrevorStephenson, #VioladaGamba, #VocalMusic, #WillySt.Coop, #WillyStreetCo-op, #WolfgangAmadeusMozart, #YouTubevideo, acclaimed, accompany, acoustics, adult, ambiance, Arash Noori, Artistic director, Arts, Bach, Baroque, Baroque music, bass-baritone, beautiful, blog, Camp Randall Stadium, Cantata, Chamber music, Chicago, choral music, Christian, Christian religion, Christmas, chromatic, church, Classical music, composer, Concert, continuo, critically, death, design, devastation, Early music, Facebook, festive, First Congregational United Church of Christ, forward, founder, fusion, gem, genius, Germany, Gloria, harmony, harpsichord, Heinrich Schütz, Holiday, Jacob Stockinger, Jesus Christ, Johann Sebastian Bach, Josquin Des Prez, Kyrie, learn, Leipzig, link, live, Lord, lute, Madison, Madison Bach Musicians, Martin Luther, mass, Master, masterwork, message, Mezzo-soprano, motet, Mozart, Music, New York City, notes, Orange Tree Imports, period-instrument, Piccinni, polka, praise, Quartet, reflection, Religion, romp, Season, senior, share, singbook, Singing, Sonata, soprano, soul, soulfulness, spiritual, structure, Student, tag, tenor, theorbo, Thirty Years War, Thomas Kirche, ticket, toccata, tradition, Trevor Stephenson, tune, United States, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, University of Wisconsin–Madison, uplifting, viola da gamba, vocal music, war, Wisconsin, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, word, YouTube

Classical music: Holiday carols, gospel music and classical music mix at the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concerts this weekend — which will air later on Wisconsin Public Television for the first time

November 26, 2018
1 Comment

IF YOU LIKE A CERTAIN BLOG POST, PLEASE FORWARD A LINK TO IT OR, SHARE or TAG IT (not just “Like” it) ON FACEBOOK. Performers can use the extra exposure to draw potential audience members to an event.

By Jacob Stockinger

You have to hand it to the Madison Symphony Orchestra for embracing the community and putting on a memorable show.

When it comes to celebrating the holidays – and yes, the MSO does use the Christmas word – the MSO does so with a big variety of musical styles and a wide diversity of performers. That might explain why the concerts usually sell out year after year.

Beginning with caroling in the lobby before the concert to the sing-along finale, where music director and conductor John DeMain and the Madison Symphony Orchestra don their Santa hats (below, in a photo by Peter Rodgers) and more, “A Madison Symphony Christmas” is a joyous time for all.

Christmas classics are interwoven with enchanting new holiday music featuring members of the Madison Symphony Chorus, the Madison Youth Choirs and the Mount Zion Gospel Choir as well as guests soloists soprano Cecilia Violetta Lopez and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelson.

This tradition marks the embrace and start of the holiday season for many people in Madison.

Performances of “A Madison Symphony Christmas”will be held in Overture Hall, 201 State Street, on Friday night, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday night, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday afternoon, Dec. 2, at 2:30 p.m. Ticket details are below.

In addition, 45 minutes before each concert, audiences are invited to share the spirit of the holiday season singing carols along with the Madison Symphony Chorus.

TV PREMIERE

For the first time, “A Madison Symphony Christmas”can be experienced again in December — airing on Wisconsin Public Television (NOT Wisconsin Public Radio as mistakenly listed in an earlier edition) on Monday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m., and on Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 9:30 p.m.

“Our annual Christmas concert has become a very meaningful experience for everyone involved — the choruses, orchestra musicians, singers and the audience,” says DeMain. “With the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, Madison Youth Choirs, and Madison Symphony Chorus joining our internationally acclaimed opera singers, and climaxing with the entire audience participating in our Christmas carol sing-along — one cannot help but leave the Overture Hall with a feeling that the holiday season has begun. And hopefully, you will have a big glow in your heart.”

For more information and the full program, which includes the excerpt from Handel’s “Messiah” in the YouTube video at the bottom, go to: https://madisonsymphony.org/event/a-madison-symphony-christmas/

ABOUT THE SOLOISTS

Celebrated soprano Cecilia Violetta Lopez (below, in a photo by Devon Cass) has been named one of opera’s “25 Rising Stars” by Opera News.

Lopez has received accolades for her signature role of Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata, which she has performed countless times throughout North America.

Her debut of the role was with Martina Arroyo Foundation’s prestigious summer festival, Prelude to Performance. She has also performed the role with Opera Tampa, Opera Idaho, Ash Lawn Opera, and in her company debut with Virginia Opera. Lopez also recently made her European debut as Norina in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale with Zomeropera in Belgium.

Based in the Madison suburb of Sun Prairie, bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen (below, in a photo by Lawrence Brownlee) is in frequent demand by the world’s leading opera companies and orchestras for his vibrant and handsome stage presence and his distinctive vocalism.

He has won first prize in several international vocal competitions, including those sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera National Council, the Richard Tucker Music Foundation (Career Grant), the George London Foundation, the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation, the Sullivan Foundation, Opera Index, and the MacAllister Awards.

Highlights of Ketelsen’s recent seasons include performances at the Opernhaus Zurich, Staatsoper Berlin, Minnesota Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Canadian Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera, as well as performances with the San Francisco Symphony, the National Symphony and performances at Carnegie Hall.

ABOUT THE MADISON SYMPHONY CHORUS

The Madison Symphony Chorus (below top, in a photo by Greg Anderson) gave its first public performance on February 23, 1928 and has performed regularly with the Madison Symphony Orchestra ever since. The Chorus is comprised of more than 150 volunteer musicians who come from all walks of life and enjoy combining their artistic talent under the direction of Beverly Taylor (below bottom), who directs the choral program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Mead Witter School of Music.

ABOUT THE MADISON YOUTH CHOIRS

Recognized as an innovator in youth choral music education, Madison Youth Choirs (MYC) inspires enjoyment, learning and social development through the study and performance of high-quality and diverse choral literature. The oldest youth choir organization in Wisconsin, MYC serves more than 1,000 young people, ages 7-18, in a wide variety of choral programs. In addition to a public concert series, MYC conducts an annual spring tour of schools and retirement centers, performing for more than 7,000 students and senior citizens annually.

ABOUT THE MOUNT ZION GOSPEL CHOIR

Under the leadership of Leotha Stanley and his wife, Tamera Stanley, the Mount Zion Gospel Choir (below) has been a part of the MSO Christmas concerts since 2005. The choir is primarily comprised of members from Mount Zion Baptist Church and includes representatives from other churches as well. The choir has traveled extensively throughout the Midwest and has journeyed to Europe, singing in France and Germany.

The Symphony recommends concert attendees arrive early for each performance to make sure they have time to pass through Overture Center’s security stations.

The lobby opens 90 minutes prior to each concert.

More information about A Madison Symphony Christmasis found here: https://madisonsymphony.org/event/a-madison-symphony-christmas/.

Tickets for A Madison Symphony Christmascan be purchased in the following ways:

Single Tickets are $18-$93 each and are on sale August 18 at https://madisonsymphony.org/concerts-events/buy-tickets/through the Overture Center Box Office at 201 State Street, or by calling the Box Office at (608) 258-4141.
Groups of 10 or more can save 25% by calling the MSO office at (608) 257-3734. For more information, visit, https://madisonsymphony.org/concerts-events/buy-tickets/group-discounts/
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://madisonsymphony.org/concerts-events/buy-tickets/offers-discounts/
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 10 vouchers for 2018-19 symphony subscription concerts are available. Learn more at: https://madisonsymphony.org/flex

Discounted seats are subject to availability, and discounts may not be combined.

Major funding for the holiday concert is provided by: American Printing, Fiore Companies, Inc., Nedrebo’s Formalwear, Maurice and Arlene Reese Family Foundation, BMO Harris Bank, Hooper Foundation/General Heating & Air Conditioning, Judith and Nick Topitzes, and An Anonymous Friend. Additional funding provided by Colony Brands, Inc., J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Flad Architects, Forte Research Systems & Nimblify, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., and Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Community Carol Sing is presented in partnership with Overture Center for the Arts.

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #BaptistReligion, #BerlinGermany, #BeverlyTaylor, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #BMOHarrisBank, #BoxOffice, #CanadianOperaCompany, #CarnegieHall, #CeciliaViolettaLopez, #ChoralMusic, #ChristianReligion, #ChristmasCarol, #ChristmasDay, #ChristmasMusic, #CriticallyAcclaimed, #DonPasquale, #EthnicDiversity, #EuropeanDebut, #FacebookPost, #FladArchitects, #FranzSchubert, #Fridaynight, #GaetanoDonizetti, #GeorgeFridericHandel, #GeorgeLondon, #GiuseppeVerdi, #GospelMusic, #Handel'sMessiah, #HolidayCarol, #HolidaySeason, #J.H.Findorff, #JesusChrist, #JohannSebastianBach, #JohnDeMain, #JohnRutter, #LaTraviata, #LawFirm, #LeothaStanley, #LyricOperaofChicago, #MadisonSymphonyChorus, #MadisonSymphonyOrchestra, #MadisonYouthChoirs, #MeadWitterSchoolofMusic, #MetropolitanOpera, #MinnesotaOpera, #MountZionBaptistChurch, #MountZionGospelChoir, #MusicalStyle, #MusicDirector, #MusicEducation, #NationalEndowmentfortheArts, #NationalSymphony, #NewMusic, #NewYorkCity, #NorthAmerica, #OperaIdaho, #OperaNews, #OperaSinger, #OperaTampa, #OvertureCenter, #OvertureHall, #PublicPerformance, #RetirementCenter, #RichardTucker, #SanFranciscoCalifornia, #SanFranciscoSymphony, #SantaClaus, #SaturdayNight, #SeniorCitizen, #SingAlong, #SopranoSinger, #StaatsoperBerlin, #StateOfWisconsin, #Sundayafternoon, #SunPrairieWisconsin, #TameraStanley, #TampaFlorida, #TheMet, #TraditionalMusic, #UniversityofWisconsin-Madison, #ViriginiaOpera, #VocalMusic, #WisconsinArtsBoard, #WisconsinPublicRadio, #WisconsinPublicTelevision, #WolfgangAmadeusMozart, #YouTubevideo, #ZurichSwitzerland, acclaimed, air, anonymous, Arts, audience, Bach, bank, Baptist, Baptist religion, baritone, Baroque, bass, bass-baritone, Belgium, Berlin, Beverly Taylor, blog, BMO Harris Bank, box office, Canada, Canadian Opera Company, Carnegie Hall, Cecilia Violetta Lopez, Chicago, choral music, Christian religion, Christmas and holiday season, Christmas Carol, Classical music, community, composer, conductor, debut, December, discount, Don Pasquale, donor, Early music, ethnic diversity, Europe, Facebook, feeling, Flad Architects, Florida, France, Franz Schubert, Friday night, Gaetano Donizetti, George Frideric Handel, George London, Germany, gospel, gospel music, hat, heart, holiday carol, holiday season, Idaho, international, Jesus Christ, Johann Sebastian Bach, John DeMain, John Rutter, Joy, joyous, La Traviata, law firm, learning, Leotha Stanley, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Madison, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Madison Youth Choirs, Mead Witter School of Music, Messiah, Metropolitan Opera, Midwest tour, Minnesota Opera, Mount Zion Baptist Church, Mount Zion Gospel Choir, Mozart, Music, Music director, Music education, musical style, National Endowment for the Arts, National Symphony, NEA, New Music, New York City, North America, opera, Opera Idaho, Opera News, opera singer, Opera Tampa, Orchestra, Overture Center, Overture Hall, performer, public, public performance, Retirement, Richard Tucker, San Francisco Symphony, Santa Claus, Saturday night, senior, senior citizen, sing-along, singer, social, soloist, soprano, sponsor, Staatsoper Berlin, star, State of Wisconsin, Student, Sunday afternoon, Switzerland, symphony, Tamera Stanley, Tampa, Television, the Met, ticket, time, traditional, TV, United States, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, University of Wisconsin–Madison, UW-Madison, Verdi, Viola, Violin, Virginia, Virginia Opera, vocal music, volunteer, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Arts Board, wisconsin public radio, Wisconsin Public Television, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, WPR, WPT, year, YouTube, Zurich

Classical music: Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras perform the Evelyn Steenbock fall concerts TODAY and next Friday night. The Edgewood Chamber Orchestra performs this Sunday afternoon

November 10, 2018
2 Comments

IF YOU LIKE A CERTAIN BLOG POST, PLEASE FORWARD A LINK TO IT OR SHARE IT (not just “Like” it) ON FACEBOOK. Performers can use the extra exposure to draw potential audience members to an event.

ALERT: This Sunday afternoon, Nov. 11, at 2:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph Chapel, 1000 Edgewood College Drive, the Edgewood Chamber Orchestra will give its fall concert. Conducted by Blake Walter, the chamber orchestra will play Franz Joseph Haydn’s “The Word on the Moon” Overture, Arthur Honegger’s Pastorale D’été (Summer Pastoral) and Symphony No. 1 in C minor by Felix Mendelssohn. Tickets are $5 for general admission, free with Edgewood College ID.

By Jacob Stockinger

The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (WYSO, below) will present their first concert series of the 2018-19 season, the Evelyn Steenbock Fall Concerts TODAY, Saturday, Nov. 10, and next Friday, Nov. 16.

WYSO orchestras will perform works by Igor Stravinsky, Aram Khachaturian, Soon Hee Newbold and more. The Youth Orchestra concert will include a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Rococo” Variations with special guest cellist Joseph Johnson.

“Joseph Johnson is an extraordinary artist and person and it will be a treat for us all to hear and collaborate with someone of his stature,” says Youth Orchestra Conductor Kyle Knox (below).

Johnson has been heard throughout the world as a soloist, chamber musician and educator. Principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since the 2009-10 season, he previously held the same position with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. (You can hear an interview with Joseph Johnson in the YouTube video at the bottom.)

He also serves as principal cellist of the Santa Fe Opera, and during the 2008-2009 season was acting principal cellist of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Prior to his Milwaukee appointment, Johnson was a member of the Minnesota Orchestra cello section for 11 years.

“The Youth Orchestra couldn’t be more excited to present a program of all-Russian music for our first concert of the season,” Knox says. “We will begin with a rarely performed gem by 20th-century composer Igor Stravinsky, followed by one of the great solo works in the cello repertoire, the “Rococo” Variations by Tchaikovsky. Finally, we will finish the evening with the mighty Symphony No. 4 by Tchaikovsky, one of the most famous orchestral works in history, which features all sections of the orchestra.”

TODAY’S concerts begin at 11:30 a.m. in Mills Hall at the UW-Madison’s Mead Witter School of Music, 455 North Park Street, Madison.

The Nov. 16 Youth Orchestra concert with guest soloist Joseph Johnson begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Middleton Performing Arts Center, 2100 Bristol Street, next to Middleton High School, with a reception to follow.

WYSO students travel from communities throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois each weekend throughout the concert season to rehearse on the UW-Madison campus.

Each orchestra performs three concerts per season, with additional performance opportunities available to students, including ensembles and chamber groups.

Concert admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for youth 18 and under, with tickets available at the door.

Full concert repertoire is available at https://www.wysomusic.org/evelyn-steenbock-fall-concerts-repertoire/

To learn more about Joseph Johnson, go to: www.joecello.com.

Evelyn Steenbock Fall Concerts

Saturday, Nov. 10, Mills Concert Hall
11:30 a.m. Opus One and Sinfonietta
1:30 p.m. Harp Ensemble & Concert Orchestra
4 p.m. Percussion Ensemble (below) and Philharmonia Orchestra

Friday, Nov. 16, Middleton Performing Arts Center
7:30 p.m. Youth Orchestra, reception to follow
With guest artist Joseph Johnson, cello

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #AntoninDvorak, #AramKhachaturian, #ArthurHonegger, #BlakeWalter, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #BrassSection, #CelloConcerto, #ChamberEnsemble, #ChamberGroup, #ChamberMusic, #ChamberMusician, #ChamberOrchestra, #ChristianReligion, #ConcertSeries, #EdgewoodCollege, #EvelynSteenbock, #FacebookPost, #FelixMendelssohn, #FolkMusic, #FranciscoTarrega, #FranzJosephHaydn, #FranzvonSuppe, #GeorgPhilippTelemann, #GuestArtist, #HarpEnsemble, #HonoluluHawaii, #HonoluluSymphonyOrchestra, #IgorStravinsky, #JesusChrist, #JohannStrauss, #JosephJohnson, #KyleKnox, #LouisGottschalk, #LouisMoreauGottschalk, #MeadWitterSchoolofMusic, #MiddletonHighSchool, #MiddletonPerformingArtsCenter, #MiddletonWisconsin, #MillsHall, #MilwaukeeSymphonyOrchestra, #MilwaukeeWisconsin, #MinnesotaOrchestra, #MusicEducation, #MusicHistory, #NikolaiRimsky-Korsakov, #OrchestralMusic, #PecussionSection, #PercussionEnsemble, #PercussionSection, #PeterIlyichTchaikovsky, #PeterWarlock, #PhilharmoniaOrchestra, #PrincipalCellist, #RococoVariations, #RussianMusic, #SaintJoseph, #SantaFeOpera, #SoonHeeNewbold, #SouthernWisconsin, #StringSection, #StudentID, #StudentMusicians, #SymphonicMusic, #TorontoCanada, #TorontoSymphonyOrchestra, #UniversityofWisconsin, #UniversityofWisconsin-Madison, #WindSection, #WisconsinYouthSymphonyOrchestras, #YouthOrchestra, #YouTubevideo, adult, alert, Antonín Dvořák, Aram Khachaturian, Arthur Honegger, artist, Arts, blog, Blog post, brass section, cellist, Cello, Cello Concerto, Chamber music, chamber musician, chapel, Christian religion, Christianity, Classical music, collaborate, community, composer, Concert, concerto, concerts, conductor, Edgewood Chamber Orchestra, Edgewood College, Edgewood College Chamber Orchestra, educator, Evelyn Steenbock, evening, Facebook, fall, famous, Felix Mendelssohn, Folk music, folk song, folksong, forward, Francisco Tarrega, Franz Joseph Haydn, Franz von Suppe, Georg Philipp Telemann, guest artist, harp, Hawaii, History, Honolulu, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, Igor Stravinsky, ILLINOIS, Jacob Stockinger, Jesus Christ, Johann Strauss, Joseph Johnson, Kyle Knox, link, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Madison, Mead Witter School of Music, Middleton, Middleton Performing Arts Center, Mills Hall, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota, Minnesota Orchestra, moon, Music, New Mexico, Newbold, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, opus, Opus number, Orchestra, Overture, pastoral, Percussion Ensemble, percussion section, performer, person, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Peter Warlock, Philharmonia Orchestra, plog posting, principal, reception, Rococo Variations, Russian music, Saint Joseph, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Opera, SantaFeNewMexico, Saturday, section, Sinfonietta, soloist, Soon Hee Newbold, southern Wisconsin, student ID, student musicians, summer, Sunday, symphony, Toronto, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, United States, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Violin, weekend, wind section, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras, word, works, WYSO, WYSO Chamber Music Program, Youth, Youth Orchestra, YouTube

Classical music: This Saturday night brings concerts by the Festival Choir of Madison and a harpsichord rededication recital by Trevor Stephenson

November 2, 2018
2 Comments

IF YOU LIKE A CERTAIN BLOG POST, PLEASE FORWARD A LINK TO IT OR SHARE IT (not just “Like” it) ON FACEBOOK. Performers can use the extra exposure to draw potential audience members to an event.

By Jacob Stockinger

The Ear has received announcements for the following two events that will place on Saturday night:

FESTIVAL CHOIR OF MADISON

The Festival Choir of Madison (below) will present the first concert of the season — “Angels and Demons” — on this Saturday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Atrium auditorium of the First Unitarian Society of Madison, 900 University Bay Drive, in Madison.

The choir and artistic director, Edgewood College professor Sergei Pavlov (below), will take listeners on a Dante-inspired journey — from the Inferno in “The Divine Comedy” through Purgatory all the way to Paradise — as interpreted by composers Karl Jenkins, Zdenek Lukas, Gyorgy Orban, Alfred Schnittke, Joseph Rheinberger, Rodion Schedrin, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Marteen Spruijt. (Sorry, but there has been no word on specific works to be performed.)

Guest pianist Kyle Johnson, organist Ted Reinke, percussionist James McKenzie and a string ensemble will accompany the choir throughout the journey.

Concert admission, with general seating, is $10 for students, $15 for senior citizens, and $20 for adults, with tickets available at the door the day of the concert. Tickets can also be purchased online at: https://www.festivalchoirmadison.org/concerts/2018/11/3/angels-and-demons

The Festival Choir of Madison is an auditioned, mixed-voice volunteer choir of over 50 experienced singers. It performs thematic concerts of artistically challenging choral music from around the world for listeners who enjoy traditional, modern and eclectic works, and for singers who enjoy developing their talents with others.

To learn more about the organization and see upcoming concerts, go to: www.festivalchoirmadison.org

HARPSICHORD AT IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

On this Saturday night, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1021 Spaight Street, there will be a harpsichord rededication celebration and concert.

The appearance and musicality of this renovated double-mansuel. French 18th-century instrument at Immanuel Lutheran have recently been restored and upgraded under the exceptional guidance and expertise of Trevor Stephenson (below bottom), artistic director and founder of the Madison Bach Musicians.

Immanuel is excited to share the instrument (below) with the Madison community by presenting Stephenson in a rededication harpsichord concert. (Composers on the program include Jean-Philippe Rameau, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel and Domenico Scarlatti. No program of specific works has been provided.)

A pre-concert interactive lecture discussing the instrument and rebuilding process will precede the concert starting at 6:30 p.m.

A freewill offering is appreciated at the concert.

A brief reception will follow, and all are welcome.

Posted in Classical music
Tags: #18thCentury, #AlfredSchnittke, #BlogPost, #BlogPosting, #ChoralMusic, #ChristianChurch, #ChristianReligion, #DomenicoScarlatti, #EdgewoodCollege, #FacebookPost, #FestivalChoir, #FestivalChoirofMadison, #FirstUnitarianSocietyofMadison, #FrenchHarpsichord, #GeorgeFridericHandel, #GyorgyOrban, #HarpsichordMusic, #ImmanuelLutheranChurch, #Jean-PhilippeRameau, #JohannSebastianBach, #JosephRheinberger, #KarlJenkins, #KyleJohnson, #LutheranReligion, #MadisonBachMusicians, #MarteenSpruijt, #MixedVoice, #ModernMusic, #NewMusic, #OrganMusic, #PercussionMusic, #PianoAccompaniment, #RodionSchedrin, #SeniorCitizen, #SergeiPavlov, #StringEnsemble, #StringMusic, #TheDivineComedy, #TheInferno, #TraditionalMusic, #TrevorStephenson, #VocalMusic, #WolfgangAmadeusMozart, #ZdenekLukas, 18th century, accompany, adult, Alfred Schnittke, angel, announcement, Arts, ATRIUM, audition, auditorium, Bach, Baroque, blog, Chamber music, choral music, Christian church, Christian religion, Christianity, church, Classical music, comedy, composer, Concert, conductor, Dante, demon, divine, Domenico Scarlatti, Early music, eclectic, Edgewood College, event, expertise, Facebook, Festival Choir, Festival Choir of Madison, First Unitarian Society of Madison, French, George Frideric Handel, guest, guidance, Gyorgy Orban, harpsichord, hell, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Inferno, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Joseph Rheinberger, Karl Jenkins, Kyle Johnson, lecture, Madison Bach Musicians, manual, Marteen Spruijt, mixed, modern, Mozart, New Music, organ, organist, organization, Paradise, percussionist, percusssion, Pianist, Piano, post, posting, program, Purgatory, rebuilding, Religion, restoration, Rodion Schedrin, seating, senior, Sergei Pavlov, singer, Singing, song, talent, The Divine Comedy, theme, ticket, traditional, Trevor Stephenson, Unitarian, Unitarianism, vocal music, voice, volunteer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, world, Zdenek Lukas

	welltemperedear on Wisconsin Public Radio needs t…
	Alma on Classical music education: NPR…
	Ginny Moore Kruse on Wisconsin Public Radio needs t…
	welltemperedear on Wisconsin Public Radio needs t…
	welltemperedear on Wisconsin Public Radio needs t…

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: