Madison Symphony Orchestra

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Luke Ratray

Gil Shaham

Violin virtuoso Gil Shaham returns to Madison as guest soloist with the mighty Madison Symphony Orchestra. For Shaham's previous MSO collaboration, he performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major; this time, the featured work is Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Minor. It's certain to be an unforgettable concert. The program also includes Isle of the Dead (Rachmaninoff) and the Háry János Suite (Kodály). Performances at 7:30 p.m., March 11; 8 p.m., March 12; and 2:30 p.m., March 13. Find tickets at overture.org.

press release: The first piece of this varied program, Rachmaninoff’s evocative and powerful score depicts Arnold Bocklin’s famous painting of an oarsman rowing a white-clad figure across a dark expanse of water to the mysterious Isle of the Dead. The mood lightens when the Háry János Suite from Kodály’s comic Hungarian folk opera radiates exotic exuberance. Then the renowned Gil Shaham gives the crowning performance of the program when he breathes life and love into the Beethoven Violin Concerto.

A dedication or a plea for mercy? Beethoven wrote his Violin Concerto in D major for Franz Clement, who played the debut in Vienna on December 23, 1806. Clement was, above all, a showman, and between the first and second movements of the concerto, he played a sonata of his own on one string, holding the violin upside down. Was Beethoven hoping for a more dignified debut when he wrote a dedication that read “Concerto composed with Clemency for Clement?” – Norman Gilliland

Declared “the outstanding American violinist of his generation” by Time Magazine, Gil Shaham is one of the foremost violinists of our time. His flawless technique combined with his unequalled warmth and generosity of spirit has cemented his renown as an American master. The Grammy Award-winner, also named Musical America’s “Instrumentalist of the Year,” is sought after through the world for musical appearances with leading conductors and orchestras, and regularly gives recitals with ensembles on the world’s great concert stages and most prestigious festivals. Mr. Shaham previously performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra in 2018 playing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

I was blown away by Gil Shaham. I’ve never seen a performance like that in my life! – MSO Subscriber

Shaham’s performance was simply the best I have seen in more than three decades of attending the symphony. – Bill Wineke, Channel 3000

. . . the audience adored it, giving him a standing ovation after the first movement alone, as well as one at the conclusion . . . – John Barker, Isthmus

Prelude Discussion: Enjoy a 30-minute talk starting one hour before each concert in Overture Hall. Free to ticketholders.

We guarantee a refund for tickets to any concert that cannot be performed for any reason. We will adhere to all public health guidelines and cooperate with Overture Center for the Arts to assure your safety. Programs, dates, and artists subject to change.

We understand you may have questions about safety protocols and what to expect this fall when we resume presenting live concerts. We’ve created a Frequently Asked Questions page to provide answers. If you have any further questions about subscriptions, single tickets, or our 21/22 season plans, please call (608) 257-3734, or email us at info@madisonsymphony.org.