Madison Symphony Orchestra presents cellist Ralph Kirshbaum

“After your enthusiasm for Pines of Rome last season, I thought it would be exciting to give you Fountains of Rome, the first in Respighi’s great ‘Roman Trilogy.’ It is a virtuoso showcase for the orchestra: a colorful portrait of the Eternal City’s beautiful Bernini fountains and piazzas. Then we welcome cellist Ralph Kirshbaum for his long-overdue debut with two evocative works. Bloch’s well-known Schelomo—inspired by a brooding sculpture of King Solomon—is the emotionally devastating lamentation of a king 'weary of life, weary of riches, weary of power.' And Dvořák’s lyrical Silent Woods paints a picture of a quiet Bohemian wilderness. And to end, we turn to Tchaikovsky’s great Symphony No. 5, with its striking theme that appears in all four movements. This is the composer’s struggle with Fate, from which he emerges triumphant in the exultant finale.” - John DeMain