Madison Symphony Orchestra
Overture Center-Overture Hall 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703
press release: Canadian-born violinist James Ehnes returns to Overture Hall to perform with the Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) in an eclectic program featuring the supreme talents of Mr. Ehnes along with three highly-regarded staples of the classical repertoire by the composers Haydn, Bruch, and Rachmaninoff. The concerts are Fri., Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 17, at 8 p.m.; and Sun., Oct. 18, at 2:30 p.m. in Overture Hall, 201 State Street.
Mr. Ehnes impressed audiences when he performed the Bartok Violin Concerto No. 2 with the MSO in Oct. 2012. In Oct. 2015 he will return with Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra, a piece which blends rustic folk tunes and tender themes to convey the stark Scottish landscape. Opening the program will be Joseph Haydn’s spirited Symphony No. 85, nicknamed La Reine because it was the favorite of French Queen Marie Antoinette! Sergei Rachmaninoff’s feisty Symphonic Dances will close out the concert with energetic flair.
James Ehnes is a captivating presence on the concert stage, where the warmth of his tone is matched by his superb technical faculty. Mr. Ehnes made his major orchestral solo debut with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal at age 13 and was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2005. Today Mr. Ehnes is a sought-after chamber musician, recitalist, and soloist with the world’s finest orchestras.
One hour before each performance, Tyrone Greive, retired MSO Concertmaster and Professor of Violin at UW-Madison, will lead a 30-minute Prelude Discussion in Overture Hall to enhance concertgoers’ understanding and listening experience. More background on the music can also be found in the Program Notes at: http://www.madisonsymphony.org/ehnes
Single Tickets are $16 to $85 each, available at www.madisonsymphony.org/singletickets and through the Overture Center Box Office at 201 State Street or call the Box Office at (608) 258-4141.