Reunion – Madison Symphony Orchestra’s 99th season

The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) opens its 99th season with a celebration of Umoja, the Swahili word for “unity” and the first principle of the African holiday Kwanzaa. A handsome way to reunite audience and orchestra, the concert opens with a piece of the same name by African-American composer Valerie Coleman. Music Director John DeMain calls Coleman’s Umoja “a powerful and beautiful anthem for today’s world.” The program also features principal organist Greg Zelek playing one of the greatest works for organ and orchestra ever written, Joseph Jongen’s Symphonie Concertante. Audience favorite Tommy Mesa returns to perform Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. This first performance of an thrilling up-to-date season concludes with a suite from Manuel de Falla’s colorful, Spanish-tinged ballet, The Three-Cornered Hat.

“Reunion” performances will be Friday, September 20, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, September 21, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, September 22, at 2:30 p.m. at Overture Hall, 201 State Street. Attendees should note that Saturday performances this season will begin at 7:30 p.m., which is a change from the previous show time of 8:00 p.m.