Choir of Trinity College Still Echoing in My Ears

The 9/11 concert that opened the Overture Concert Organ series refuses to fade away   Let’s start with the obvious admission: the posting of this review is absurdly late. Frankly after this much time has passed (the concert was 9/11 last month), I would just let it go. But the truth is, the performance of…

Madison Symphony Opener Evokes a Memory

DeMain and company also provide an interesting musical perspective   John DeMain opened his 26th season as music director of the Madison Symphony Orchestra last weekend, and if he is still four years away from the next “round number” of his storied career, he and the orchestra still managed to provide interesting context, past and…

Greg Zelek in Recital: Volcanic, Organic, Romantic (and downright funny!)

Season opening of the organ series at Overture Hall is a thorough delight   In case you haven’t heard, 26 year-old Greg Zelek (pictured above, courtesy of Peter Rodgers), is the principal organist and curator of the Overture Center organ. He has just started his second season in the position, and Tuesday night opened the…

Plenty of Bang for the Buck…and More

Sewell and WCO end the indoor season with a triple helping of Beethoven Rarely have I been more torn about which event to attend than last Friday night—and they both took place in the same building! While the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra was concluding its Masterworks Series in the Capitol Theater, organist Greg Zelek was giving…

The Presence of All Means Presents for All

The 24th “Madison Symphony Christmas” treats us royally   As we get older and families often branch out, we often experience Christmas and holiday gatherings that are wonderful, but tinged with a little sadness that someone we love is missing. One celebration that always brings the whole gang back together is the “Madison Symphony Christmas,”…