Madison Symphony Orchestra

press release: Single tickets are now on sale at the Overture Box Office, 201 State Street, (608) 258-4141.

Feb. 17, 18, 19, 2017: Ultimate Tchaikovsky: The Last Symphony

John DeMain, Conductor; Stephen Hough, Piano  

SAMUEL BARBER                    Second Essay*

CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS            Piano Concerto No. 5 (The Egyptian)*             

PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY   Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique)  

Barber, a preeminent 20th century American composer, structured the Second Essay much like that of a literary work; various melodic ideas are derived from a single theme, spun out by the solo flute.

Saint-Saëns, a musical prodigy, performed his first concert at age ten and was once called the “Beethoven of France”. The Egyptian was written during his time living in Luxor, Egypt and was ostensibly inspired by a melody he heard sung by boatmen on the Nile.

Tchaikovsky’s last major work, Symphony No. 6, was the most biographical and “open-hearted” of his music. Only nine days after he successfully conducted its premier in St. Petersburg, Tchaikovsky was dead. A passionate final farewell, this symphony gives the audience a window into the deep internal struggles of Tchaikovsky’s mind.