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Music Director Ken-David Masur began his tenure during the 250th birthday celebration of Beethoven; we harken back to that season with the undeniable masterpiece that is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Written after Beethoven’s most profound period of despair, the Ninth is an impassioned testament to life, friendship, and the human spirit; author E.M. Forster called it “the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man.” The Milwaukee Symphony Chorus — celebrating its landmark 50th year — brings the “Ode to Joy” to life. Two works weave the thread of our shared humanity throughout the program's first half, proudly presented as part of the Violins of Hope — Wisconsin residency in partnership with MYSO. A selection from Czech composer Pavel Haas's final string quartet written during Germany's descent into authoritarian rule gives expression to one man's anguish under the Nazi regime, while the world premiere of J.E. Hernández's Parallax probes the nuanced causes and conditions at play in contemporary society.

 

This program is presented in partnership with Violins of Hope – Wisconsin, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.

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