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2015-16 SEASON w usic or & mds usic words
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wo rds & mu s
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Daniel Reinhardt/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
Dear Friends, The upcoming quadricentennial of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) inspires us at the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra to offer you another magnificent season -- this time, our theme is simply Words & Music. Which comes first: the music, or the words? We’ll give you seven gorgeous programs in which to enjoy pondering that eternal question, with powerful masterpieces and brilliant soloists in unforgettable performances!
s d r o &wmusic
With gratitude,
Alexander Platt Music Director
Biography
A graduate of Yale College, King’s College Cambridge (where he was a British Marshall Scholar) and conducting fellowships at both Aspen and Tanglewood, he has guest-conducted the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Illinois Philharmonic, the Freiburg Philharmonic in Germany, the Aalborg Symphony in Denmark, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, the City of London Sinfonia, Camerata Chicago, the Banff Festival, the Aldeburgh Festival and the Houston, Charlotte, Columbus and Indianapolis Symphonies. In 2013, he made his debut at the Ravinia Festival, the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, to high praise in the Chicago Tribune. He has recorded for Minnesota Public Radio, National Public Radio, the South-West German Radio and the BBC, and his Cedille Records disc with Rachel Barton of Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy is still often heard on radio stations across America.
photo courtesy of Theresa Smerud
The newly-appointed Music Director of the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra, Alexander Platt is also Music Director of the Wisconsin Philharmonic, the Marion Indiana Philharmonic and the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, and spends his summers in Woodstock, New York as Music Director of the Maverick Concerts, the oldest summer chamber-music festival in America. He also recently concluded twelve seasons as Resident Conductor and Music Advisor of Chicago Opera Theater (2001-12). At COT he led the Chicago premieres of Britten’s DEATH IN VENICE, John Adams’ NIXON IN CHINA, Dmitri Shostakovich’s MOSCOW PARADISE and Britten’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; the world premiere of the Tony Kushner/ Maurice Sendak version of Hans Krasa’s BRUNDIBAR; the double-bill of Schoenberg’s ERWARTUNG and Bartok’s BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE with Samuel Ramey and Nancy Gustafson, and the world-premiere recording of Kurka’s THE GOOD SOLDIER SCHWEIK — all to consistently high acclaim in the major papers of Chicago and New York. Prior to this he spent twelve years as Music Director of the Racine Symphony Orchestra, three seasons as Principal Conductor of the Boca Raton Symphonia, and two years as Apprentice Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Opera conducting Colin Graham’s production of MADAMA BUTTERFLY.
October 24, 2015: Nordic Moods featuring Janet Sung
WILLIAM NEIL Sinfonia dei Gioie (2014) (World premiere) CARL NIELSEN Symphony No. 3 C Major, “Sinfonia Espansiva” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------SIBELIUS Violin Concerto Newly resident at Chicago’s DePaul University, the amazing young American violinist Janet Sung brings to La Crosse her interpretation of the towering Violin Concerto of the Finnish late-Romantic master Jean Sibelius, in our final nod to his own anniversary year -- and in the Nordic spirit, the LSO gives its first-ever performance of the Symphony No.3 of classical music’s Great Dane, Carl Nielsen, also born 150 years ago. Called by its composer the “Sinfonia Espansiva”, this symphony’s many moments of epic grandeur will move you beyond words -- quite literally in the second movement, as La Crosse’s own Ann Schoenecker and Hans Laping sing its haunting “vocalize” from the back of the stage. Another great La Crosse talent, composer William Neil -- former composer-in-residence with the Lyric Opera of Chicago -- has composed his new Sinfonia dei Gioie specifically for us; this luminous short work will have its world premiere on a season-opener not to be missed.
Thank you to our concert sponsors Joe & Pat Heim
November 21, 2015: James Bond The Ultimate 007 Concert featuring Mary Carewe
The James Bond Theme, from Dr. No Goldfinger You Only Live Twice For Your Eyes Only The World is Not Enough Live and Let Die -----------------------------------------------------------Chase Music, from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Nobody Does it Better Goldeneye Surrender Diamonds Are Forever Skyfall
You asked for it, you got it: an entire evening devoted to the splendor and high stakes of all of the magnificent songs written over the years for none other than Bond: James Bond. The LSO will be flying strictly first-class tonight as Mary Carewe, known throughout Europe as the 007 chanteuse of our time, joins us straight from London. She will be singing for us all the greatest James Bond hits -- all by special arrangement in the top-drawer Nic Raine London studio orchestrations. Another LSO night not to be missed!
Thank you to our concert sponsors
George & Connie Smith
Thank you to our concert sponsor
December 18 & 19, 2015: Home for the Holidays at the LSO featuring Misty’s Dance Unlimited and La Crosse Dance Centre
RODGERS/BENNETT Cinderella Waltz BERLIN/BENNETT White Christmas VICTOR HERBERT March of the Toys, from “Babes in Toyland” PROKOFIEV Sleigh Ride(Troika) from “Lieutenant Kije” Suite BARBER Chorale Prelude on “Silent Night” CHIP DAVIS/MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER “Stille Nacht” TORME/LOWDEN The Christmas Song LUCAS RICHMAN Hannukah Festival Overture LEROY ANDERSON Sleigh Ride -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PROKOFIEV Prelude and Act II from Cinderella FINNEGAN Christmas Sing-Along Join the LSO for a Holiday Pops program glowing in Russian romance -Not one, but two of La Crosse’s premiere dance companies will be lending their talents on alternating nights to Serge Prokofiev’s glittering ballet score, the dreamy Cinderella. And, what could be better than a playlist of favorite American holiday gems? Join us for the traditional holiday sing-along accompanied by the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra.
Announcing...
The 16th Annual RISING STARS CONCERTO C O M P E T I T I O N
PLEASE JOIN US! ATTENDANCE IS FREE!!
Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 3:30pm in the Recital Hall at Viterbo University
Be part of the thrilling finals competition as six area high school instrumental and piano finalists compete for the opportunity to perform with the LSO at the February concert. Our instrumental winner takes home the $2000 Jane Saline Memorial Award while the piano winner leaves with the $2000 Anna Beth Culver Award. Mark your calendar for an afternoon of sensational young talent and be the first to meet our guest artists for February. Application, repertoire list, competition rules & entry deadline are available at:
www.lacrossesymphony.org
For more information, contact: David Reedy at davidhreedy@gmail.com or Janet Roth at theroths07@msn.com
Don’t miss this FREE ANNUAL LSO EVENT
MA
R NSO O P S JOR cord
: Re sors Dicke Prize Spovenr &
lac Cul l 1st P na Beth emoria M An e Salin sor: Jane pon
ue S rsity Ven erbo Unive Vit
February 6, 2016: Boy Wonders and Rising Stars BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 1 in C Rising Stars Instrumental Division Winner -------------------------------------------------Rising Stars Piano Division Winner SCHUBERT Symphony No. 1 in D February’s concert brings our annual celebration of Rising Stars as two of the region’s most brilliant young musicians share their prize-winning talents with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra in favorite movements from the concerto repertoire. As would only be fitting, we surround this season’s laureates with two of the great “boy wonder” symphonies from classical Vienna: the cheeky First Symphony of the young firebrand Beethoven and the lofty heights of the teenage Franz Schubert’s first essay in the form. Join us as we begin our multi-year explorations of the entire symphonic cycles of both these mighty masters.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2016 THE CARGILL ROOM AT RIVERSIDE CENTER SOUTH 332 FRONT STREET S., LA CROSSE THE WATERFRONT BALLROOM
$100 per person WWW.LACROSSESYMPHONY.ORG
WILL BENEFIT FROM THE PROCEEDS RAISED BY THIS PRESTIGIOUS EVENT
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Thank you! Because of the following endowment donors... $250,000 LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
$25,000 Principal’s Circle
$100,000 CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE HANSEN FAMILY FOUNDATION DAVID & BARBARA SKOGEN
$10,000 Artist’s Circle
ANONYMOUS CHARLES & SUE GELATT WEBER FAMILY FOUNDATION
Anonymous (2) In Memory of Vicki Bigley Joe & Pat Heim Richard Record
Ellyn Ash In Memory of Randolph Baier Barry Blomquist & Eva Dahl Ruth M. Dalton, M.D. Dr. Sigurd Gundersen, Jr. Ken Riley & Jay Lokken The Marie Lokken Family Memorial John & Linda Lyche Richard & Joan Marchiando Ernie & Sally Micek Tom & Amy Strom
$5,000 Patron’s Circle
Anonymous Jerry & Marilyn Arndt John Bolstad Anna Beth Culver Andrew & Jamie Dahl Terry Rindfleisch & Linda Hirsh Drs. John & Kerrie Moore James Munn David Reedy Bob & Janet Roth Marti Schwem George & Connie Smith Dr. Michael & Carolyn White
$4,999 or underFriends Circle
Jesus Arellano Elizabeth Becker Kathy Boarman Nancy Borgen Lori Carlson Michael & Laura Chesher Mark & Jeanne Connelly Timothy Cox In Memory of Lucy Davidson
$4,999 or under-Friends Circle -------------------------------------------------------------------Nancy & Don Ellingson Tracy Fell Tammy Fisher David & Susan Foran Mike Forbes Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Mary Funk David & Abigail Gerzema Mark Glasel Bethany Gonella David & Nancy Goode Steve Groth Mary Ann Gschwind Sigurd Gundersen III & Jean Ann Gundersen Charles & Shirley Haas Nori Hadley Jean Hammons Natalie Hartigan Charlie & Jan Henry Mary Beth Hensel Carol Hester
Harry Hindson Arthur & Kathryn Ingalls Jay & Dawn Jaehnke Dr. Julia Johnson & Jackson Jantzen Kris Jenkins Cindy Johnson Ornelle Jorgensen Anne Judisch Timothy Kamps Gary & Melissa Klein Brian Koh Greg & Susan Knorr Lewis & Charlene Lebakken Bill & Kay Leonard Angelica Lundberg Rich Mac Donald Conrad Madson Randy Mastin Kay Mazza Lorraine Mc Ilraith David Morrison Roy Munderloh
Doug Nelson Elinor Niemisto Tom & Lori Nigon Lance & Sue Paulson Sue Radloff Melissa Roby Amy Scarborough Steve Schani Tom Schauer & Maureen Sullivan Colleen Shaw William & Louise Temte Dr. James & Nancy Terman Kristin Thelander Robert & Lynne Trine Barbara Tristano Randy Van Rooyen & Kelly Nowicki-Van Rooyen Alex & Jackie Vaver Donald Vinger Mark Wamma Roger & Carol Ziff
Our Symphony will continue to thrive!
March 12, 2016: The Heavenly Life featuring Caroline Worra
BRAHMS Tragic Overture STRAUSS Four Last Songs ------------------------------------------MAHLER Symphony No. 4 in G It’s finally happening: Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, one of the most beloved works in the repertoire and the symphony with which our Maestro made his London debut, comes to the Viterbo stage -- with internationally-acclaimed soprano Caroline Worra, Onalaska native and proud graduate of Luther College, coming back to La Crosse to sing the lustrous, child-like finale, “The Heavenly Life”. She’ll also grace us with her renditions of the gorgeous, heartbreaking final songs of Richard Strauss, written as the aged master looked back on his long, brilliant, and complicated life. Brahms’ magnificent “Tragic Overture” sets the tone for another LSO program not to be forgotten.
Thank you to our concert sponsor
April 30, 2016: Music for the Bard, with the LSO’s winning Conductor Wannabes featuring Simon Mulligan
MENDELSSOHN Scherzo and Wedding March, from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TCHAIKOVSKY “The Shakespeare Symphony” -- The Three Shakespeare Fantasy-Overtures: Hamlet, Op. 67a The Tempest, Op. 18 Romeo and Juliet (1881)
Thank you to our concert sponsor Trust Investment Management
All through this season we haven’t forgotten that anniversary for Shakespeare -- and, in another wonderful LSO annual event, our two winning Conductor Wannabes will be helping us celebrate, as we devote almost an entire program to some of the most magnificent music ever inspired by the greatest playwright the world has ever known. Schumann’s Piano Concerto may not be specifically Shakespearian, but it certainly is dramatic, brimming with romantic ardor: and what better soloist to convey it than our elegant Englishman, fresh from his triumph with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Simon Mulligan, in a return appearance to the Viterbo stage. To finish, we offer a symphonic journey truly on the level of Mahler or Strauss: All Three of Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy-Overtures after Shakespeare plays, ending with the pealing final chords of his “Romeo and Juliet” -- a true “Shakespeare Symphony”, from the pen of the most beloved of Russian composers.
June 2016 Chamber Concert: Voices on the Water featuring Frederic Chiu
GEORGE FREDERIC HANDEL GEOFFREY PETERSON J.S. BACH GEORG PHILIPP TELEMANN
WATER MUSIC Suite (1717) The Edmund Fitzgerald, Concerto for Piano and Strings (2002) Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Major WATER MUSIC Suite (1723)
Whether celebrating the moods and waves of the mighty Elbe or the Thames, the “Water Music” of both Handel and Telemann is truly some of the most glorious and colorful music of the Baroque Era -- and it will be lovingly brought to life by some of our expert La Crosse Symphony musicians, as we offer another unique Chamber Orchestra program for our friends and fans. In between, two riveting works for piano and strings: the area premiere of composer Geoffrey Peterson’s musical remembrance of the sinking of The Edmund Fitzgerald, the Great Lakes tragedy of 41 years ago, and the most joyous of the immortal keyboard concertos of that other titan of the Baroque, Johann Sebastian Bach. In his LSO debut, the distinguished Chinese-American pianist Frederic Chiu, known internationally for his many fine recordings for the Harmonia Mundi label, will bring these masterworks to life.
La C
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La Crosse Symphony Orchestra February 13, 2016
PICK 3! SEASON TICKETS
26th Annual Valentine Ball
June 23, 2016 Chamber Concert $21.10 ( # OF TICKETS
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Waterfront Cargill Room
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$228
$127
All concerts are at Viterbo Fine Arts Center 900 Jackson St., La Crosse, WI, unless otherwise specified. Valentine Ball tickets NOT INCLUDED in Season or Pick 3 tickets
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Nov. 21, 2015
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Dec. 18 & 19, 2015
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$23
Feb. 6, 2016
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Apr. 30, 2016
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$23
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Thank you to our valued La Crosse Symphony Orchestra Season Sponsors! Mr. Richard Record ral urgery linic of La Crosse
Dr. David & Patricia Ludington
photo courtesy of Theresa Smerud