February 21, 2020
KEN-DAVID MASUR and the MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
2020-21 SEASON
WORLD RENOWNED ARTISTS PERFORM
5-time Academy Award, 4-time Golden Globe, and 25-time Grammy Award winner
JOHN WILLIAMS returns to the MSO for a one-night-only performance
JOYCE DIDONATO to perform a one-night-only concert at the Bradley Symphony Center featuring music from her 2020 Grammy Award-winning album Songplay
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CLASSICS SEASON 20-21
KEN-DAVID MASUR opens the Classics Season at the Bradley Symphony Center with LIVE
MILWAUKEE PBS BROADCAST of BEETHOVEN’S NINTH SYMPHONY “ODE TO JOY”
The Milwaukee Symphony celebrates the opening of the Bradley Symphony Center with ‘30s FESTIVAL featuring the music of Gershwin, Still, Korngold, Weill, and Florence Price, among others
Ken-David Masur leads the MSO in a staged production of PEER GYNT, directed by Bill Barclay
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POPS SEASON 20-21
KEN-DAVID MASUR conducts POPS performance PROHIBITION during ‘30s FESTIVAL
POPS SEASON opens with performances by American singer, pianist, and music revivalist
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN
Season celebrates the music of ASTOR PIAZZOLLA, BARBRA STREISAND, and the MUSIC OF MOTOWN
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HOLIDAYS AT THE MSO
HOLIDAYS AT THE MSO include HOLIDAY POPS, HANDEL’S MESSIAH, CANADIAN BRASS, and
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
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FILM WITH OCHESTRA
The MSO presents FILMS WITH ORCHESTRA, including SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, GHOSTBUSTERS, and
THE PRINCESS BRIDE
Milwaukee, Wis. 2/21/2020 - Music Director Ken-David Masur and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra announced plans today for the 2020.21 season, the first season in the Bradley Symphony Center. This inaugural season includes an opening performance conducted by beloved composer John Williams, a World Premiere commission, symphonic blockbusters, pops superstars, a staged production, and world-class guest artists including Joyce DiDonato. Subscriptions are now on sale, and single tickets will go on sale September 1.
Music Director Ken-David Masur said, “I am proud to be a part of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra during this exciting time of new possibilities. We are about to embark on a maiden voyage together in this stunning hall. Our season includes works specially curated to reveal the glorious acoustics of our new space - from symphonic cornerstones to new pieces. The orchestra and I are excited to share in this journey of musical discovery with you.”
President and Executive Director Mark Niehaus said, “This season is a dream decades in the making. It is thrilling to announce a season in this spectacular venue. In 2020.21, the orchestra will perform some of the most magnificent symphonic music ever written in a space designed to be an awe-inspiring feast for the senses. We are looking forward to celebrating this theater all season long, including presenting a multi-week ‘30s festival honoring the decade in which the theater was built. Our goal in 2020.21 is to create immersive artistic experiences that will engage our entire community.”
New programs this season include Bradley Symphony Center Presents concerts, which are presented without orchestra. Those include Joyce DiDonato, Canadian Brass, and Vienna Boys Choir, among others. This year, the Milwaukee Symphony has also added several prelude Pops programs on Friday morning at 11:15 AM.
Music Director Ken-David Masur’s Second Season
The Milwaukee Symphony’s inaugural season in the Bradley Symphony Center is Ken-David Masur’s second season as music director. During 2020.21, Masur will conduct 13 concert weekends that feature music from baroque to contemporary. Repertoire highlights include a new commission by Eric Nathan, Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 7 and 9, a staged production of Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4, and Duruflé’s Requiem. It will also include contemporary works by living composers – John Adams, Somei Satoh, Jean-Frédéric Neuburger, and Sebastian Currier. Masur will also conduct the Milwaukee Symphony’s perennial favorite Handel’s Messiah performances.
John Williams Returns to the Milwaukee Symphony on October 10, 2020
The renowned composer John Williams joins the MSO on stage to conduct a special performance of his own music from the silver screen. Ken-David Masur leads the first half of an exciting program that includes music from such Williams favorites as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and more. Part of the proceeds from this special concert will support the orchestra musicians’ pension fund.
Classics Season Opener – Live Milwaukee PBS Broadcast – October 24, 2020
The 2020.21 Classics Season continues the Milwaukee Symphony’s celebration of 250 years of Beethoven – opening with a live-televised performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 “Ode to Joy,” with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, directed by Cheryl Frazes Hill, Christiane Libor (soprano), Clara Osowski (mezzo-soprano), Kang Wang (tenor), and Dashon Burton (baritone). The concert will also feature the world premiere of a new Milwaukee Symphony commission by Eric Nathan, as well as John Adams’s Absolute Jest performed by the Aizuri Quartet. The first classics weekend will include three performances, October 23 at 8 pm, October 24 at 8 pm, and October 25 at 2:30 pm.
Staged Production of Grieg’s Peer Gynt conducted by Ken-David Masur and directed by Bill Barclay
The MSO will present a staged adaptation of Peer Gynt on January 22-24, 2021. Conductor Ken-David Masur and director Bill Barclay and Concert Theatre Works reunite Grieg’s unforgettable music (including the immediately recognizable “In the Hall of the Mountain King” and “Morning Mood”) with a fun and modern take on Ibsen’s drama. This creative team has assembled eight costumed actors, a playful puppet and props, the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, and more to create an expansive staged spectacle — all to tell the outlandish tale of Peer Gynt, a hopeless yarn-spinner who lies and sneaks his way through many misadventures and ultimately learns his lesson.
‘30s Festival
The Milwaukee Symphony will celebrate the 1930s – the decade in which the Warner Theater opened – in a 3-week program exploration of the decade’s best music. Ken-David Masur will lead two programs and former music director Andreas Delfs will lead one.
The first program on January 29 and 30, conducted by Delfs and featuring vocalist Ute Lemper, will include the sweeping score of Korngold’s Captain Blood and works by Weill (Threepenny Opera Suite and Songs) and Prokofiev.
American composers are on display February 5-7, including African America trailblazer William Grant Still and Pulitzer Prize-winning Samuel Barber. Pianist Aaron Diehl performs Gershwin’s Second Rhapsody as well as the only Piano Concerto of African American female pioneer composer Florence Price.
Finally, Ken-David Masur leads the orchestra in a Pops program called “Prohibition” February 12-14. Prohibition takes audience members on a musical journey through the era, from Rudy Vallee and Josephine Baker to Kurt Weill and King Oliver. It features the top hits of the era, enhanced by outstanding vocalists – Myra-Maud, Madison Clare Parks, and Bronson Norris Murphy – plus imagery and video transporting patrons back in time. While suitable for all ages, “Prohibition” contains imagery and themes of adult nature.
Holidays at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Canadian Brass – December 8 – One of the most popular brass ensembles in the world performs holiday tunes.
Holiday Pops – December 11-13 – The whole family is invited to the Milwaukee Symphony’s musical holiday tradition. Shayna Steele, a powerhouse vocalist, joins the MSO for favorite carols, classics, and sing-alongs.
Vienna Boys Choir – December 19 – The Vienna Boys Choir performs holiday favorites – hymns, carols and folk songs.
Handel’s Messiah – December 16-20 – Conducted by Ken-David Masur and featuring the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, audiences will experience Handel’s Baroque masterpiece. The Thursday, December 17, performance will be held at the Bradley Symphony Center. The December 16 and 18-20 performances will take place at the Basilica of St. Josaphat.
Introducing Resonance Food Co.
The Milwaukee Symphony and its hospitality partners have scaled up food and beverages with the creation of Resonance Food Co. Resonance Food Co. will offer a medley of choices, prepared on-site by full-time chefs. The second floor Atrium and the ground level Gallery will feature full bars with comfortable lounge seating for mingling and conversation. In addition, five bars will serve every level of the Symphony Center, and patrons will be welcome to take beverages into the concert hall. Patrons should expect signature dishes and bespoke drinks, accented by local flavors and favorite traditions, as well as changing menus that reflect concert themes.
CLASSICS 1
Beethoven’s Ninth – Inaugural Season Opener
Friday, October 23, 2020 8:00 pm
Saturday, October 24, 2020 8:00 pm
Sunday, October 25, 2020 2:30 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Aizuri Quartet
Christiane Libor, soprano; Clara Osowski, mezzo-soprano; Kang Wang, tenor; Dashon Burton, baritone
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus
Cheryl Frazes Hill, director
Eric Nathan New Commission – World Premiere
John Adams Absolute Jest
Beethoven Symphony No. 9
CLASSICS 2
Scheherazade
Friday, October 30, 2020 11:15 am
Saturday, October 31, 2020 8:00 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Third Coast Percussion
Somei Satoh Saga
Takemitsu From Me Flows What You Call Time*
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
CLASSICS 3
French Masters
Friday, November 13, 2020 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 14, 2020 8:00 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Edgar Moreau, cello
Jean-Frédéric Neuburger Aube
Lalo Cello Concerto
Franck Symphony in D Minor
CLASSICS 4
de Waart & Brautigam
Friday, November 20, 2020 11:15 am
Saturday, November 21, 2020 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 22, 2020 2:30 pm
Edo de Waart, conductor
Ronald Brautigam, piano
Brahms Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Schreker Kammersinfonie
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major K 503
CLASSICS 5
Peer Gynt
Friday, January 22, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, January 23, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, January 24, 2021 2:30 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Bill Barclay, stage director
Concert Theatre Works
Camilla Tilling, soprano
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus
Cheryl Frazes Hill, director
Grieg Peer Gynt
CLASSICS 6
Stage to Screen
Part 1 of ‘30s Festival
Friday, January 29, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, January 30, 2021 8:00 pm
Andreas Delfs, conductor
Ute Lemper, vocalist
Weill Threepenny Opera Suite (1928)
Prokofiev Lieutenant Kijé (1934)
Weill Songs (1920s, 30s, 40s)
Korngold Suite from Captain Blood (1935)
CLASSICS 7
Gershwin’s Second Rhapsody
Part 2 of ‘30s Festival
Friday, February 5, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 6, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 7, 2021 2:30 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Aaron Diehl, piano
Ives Three Places in New England (1911)
Price Piano Concerto (1932)
Barber Symphony No. 1 in One Movement (1935)
Still Out of the Silence (1939)
Gershwin Second Rhapsody (1931)
CLASSICS 8
Handel’s Royal Fireworks
Friday, February 19, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 20, 2021 8:00 pm
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Rameau Suite from Naïs
Handel Concerto Grosso, Op. 3 No. 2
Vivaldi Concerto for Strings
Purcell Incidental Music from Abdelazer
Handel Music for the Royal Fireworks
CLASSICS 9
Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4
Friday, February 26, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 27, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 28, 2021 2:30 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Stephen Hough, piano
Mendelssohn Overture to Ruy Blas
Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1
Bruckner Symphony No. 4
CLASSICS 10
Bohemian Rhapsody
Friday, March 5, 2021 11:15 am
Saturday, March 6, 2021 8:00 pm
Ruth Reinhardt, conductor
James Ehnes, violin
Janáček Jealousy
Dvořák Violin Concerto
Smetana The Moldau
Kodály Suite from Háry János
CLASSICS 11
Beethoven’s Seventh
Friday, March 19, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 20, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 21, 2021 2:30 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Baiba Skride, violin
Sibelius Night Ride and Sunrise
Sebastian Currier Aether, for violin and orchestra
Beethoven Symphony No. 7
CLASSICS 12
French Offerings
Friday, March 26, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 27, 2021 8:00 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano
John Brancy, baritone
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus
Cheryl Frazes Hill, director
Boulanger D’un matin de printemps
Messiaen Les offrandes oubliées
Canteloube Chants d’Auvergne
Duruflé Requiem
CLASSICS 13
Enigma Variations
Friday, April 16, 2021 11:15 am
Saturday, April 17, 2021 8:00 pm
Markus Stenz, conductor
Lars Vogt, piano
Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1
Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Elgar Enigma Variations
CLASSICS 14
Augustin Hadelich Returns
Friday, May 14, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 15, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 16, 2021 2:30 pm
Jader Bignamini, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Dvořák Carnival Overture
Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2
Tchaikovsky Suite from Swan Lake
CLASSICS 15
Courtly Favors
Friday, May 21, 2021 11:15 am
Saturday, May 22, 2021 8:00 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Susato Renaissance Dances
Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
Stravinsky Concerto in E-flat “Dumbarton Oaks”
Gabrieli Canzon septimi toni
Brahms Serenade No. 2
CLASSICS 16
Alpine Symphony
Friday, May 28, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 29, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 30, 2021 2:30 pm
Edo de Waart, conductor
Strauss Serenade in E-flat major
Strauss Metamorphosen
Strauss Eine Alpensinfonie
CLASSICS 17
The Dharma at Big Sur
Friday, June 11, 2021 11:15 am
Saturday, June 12, 2021 8:00 pm
Yaniv Dinur, conductor
Tracy Silverman, electric violin
Adam Larsen, visual artist
Sibelius Symphony No. 4
Walker Lyric for Strings
John Adams The Dharma at Big Sur*
CLASSICS 18
Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony
Friday, June 18, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 19, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 20, 2021 2:30 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus
Cheryl Frazes Hill, director
Mahler Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”
POPS SEASON
POPS 1
Michael Feinstein – Puttin’ on the Ritz
A Celebration of Irving Berlin
Friday, November 6, 2020 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 7, 2020 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 8, 2020 2:30 pm
Yaniv Dinur, conductor
Michael Feinstein, vocalist
POPS 2
Holiday Pops
Friday, December 11, 2020 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 12, 2020 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 13, 2020 2:30 pm
Sunday December 13, 2020 7:30 pm
Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Shayna Steele, vocalist
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus
POPS 3
Part 3 of 1930s Festival
Prohibition
Friday, February 12, 2021 11:15 am
Friday, February 12, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 13, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 14, 2021 2:30 pm
Ken-David Masur, conductor
Myra-Maud, vocalist
Madison Clare Parks, vocalist
Bronson Norris Murphy, vocalist
POPS 4
Piazzolla Centennial Celebration
Friday, March 12, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 13, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 14, 2021 2:30 pm
Hector Del Curto, bandoneón
POPS 5
The Streisand Songbook
Friday, April 9, 2021 11:15 am
Friday, April 9, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, April 10, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 11, 2021 2:30 pm
Ann Hampton Callaway, vocalist
POPS 6
Totally ‘80s
Friday, April 30, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 1, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 2, 2021 2:30 pm
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Nicole Parker, vocalist
Aaron Finley, vocalist
POPS 7
Dancing in the Streets: The Music of Motown
Friday, June 4, 2021 11:15 am
Friday, June 4, 2021 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 5, 2021 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 6, 2021 2:30 pm
Yaniv Dinur, conductor
Shayna Steele, vocalist
Chester Gregory, vocalist
Michael Lynche, vocalist
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
John Williams
Saturday, October 10, 2020 8:00 pm
John Williams, conductor
Ken-David Masur, conductor
FILM WITH ORCHESTRA
Singin’ in the Rain
Saturday, October 17, 2020 7:30 pm
Sunday, October 18, 2020 2:30 pm
Ghostbusters
Friday, November 27, 2020 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 28, 2020 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 29, 2020 2:30 pm
The Princess Bride
Saturday, January 2, 2021 7:30 pm
Sunday, January 3, 2021 2:30 pm
SYMPHONY CENTER PRESENTS
Canadian Brass
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 7:30 pm
Vienna Boys’ Choir
Saturday, December 19, 2020 8:00 pm
Joyce DiDonato - Songplay
Thursday, February 18, 2021 7:30 pm
About the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Ken-David Masur, is among the finest orchestras in the nation and the largest cultural institution in Wisconsin. Since its inception in 1959, the MSO has found innovative ways to give music a home in the region, develop music appreciation and talent among area youth, and raise the national reputation of Milwaukee. The MSO’s 72 full-time professional musicians perform over 135 classics, pops, family, education, and community concerts each season in venues throughout the state. A pioneer among American orchestras, the MSO has performed world and American premieres of works by John Adams, Roberto Sierra, Phillip Glass, Geoffrey Gordon, Marc Neikrug, and Matthias Pintscher, as well as garnered national recognition as the first American orchestra to offer live recordings on iTunes. Now in its 48th season, the orchestra’s nationally syndicated radio broadcast series, the longest consecutive-running series of any U.S. orchestra, is heard annually by more than two million listeners. The MSO's standard of excellence extends beyond the concert hall and into the community, reaching more than 40,000 children and their families through its Arts in Community Education (ACE) program, Youth and Teen concerts, and Family Series.
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