The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has announced the 2008-2009 season of Overture Concert Organ events and performances.The organ, which is the striking backdrop for all MSO concerts in Overture Hall (see the photo by Bob Rashid at left), was built in 2004 by Germany's Orgelbau Klais. The organ weighs 174 tons and is believed to be the heaviest moveable object in any theater in the world.

This fifth season of programming features the Third Annual Organ Festival, a second year of Free Community Hymn Sings, recitals by Overture Concert Organ Curator and MSO Principal Organist Samuel Hutchison, and a performance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

 The 2008-2009 season begins on Saturday, June 14, at 11 a.m., ,with a Free Farmers Market Concert with Samuel Hutchison and pianist Stephen Nielson. This 45-minute concert provides a welcome respite from the bustling Dane County Farmer's Market on the Capitol Square.

A second Free Farmers Market concert featuring Samuel Hutchison and West High School graduate and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra principal trumpet Andrew Balio takes place on Saturday, Aug. 16.

 The Third Annual Organ Festival kicks off on Friday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. with a recital by Crystal Cathedral organist Frederick Swann (see below right).

In addition to being one of the world's most recognized organists, Frederick Swann is National President of the American Guild of Organists. Considered by many to be the Dean of American organists, Swann was lauded by The Washiungton Post for his "brilliant technique and great musical sensitivity."

Tickets to the recital are $15 and go on sale on Monday, June 9, through the Overture Center Box Office at 608 258-4141.

Swann will also lead a Free Community Hymn Sing on Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m.

 Samuel Hutchison performs in recital with the Rhapsodie Quartet on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. The Rhapsodie Quartet is part of the MSO's HeartStrings program, which makes educational performances available to Madison community members with disabilities.

Quartet members include MSO musicians Suzanne Beia, first violin; Laura Burns, second violin; Renata Hornik, viola; and Sara Sitzer, cello. Tickets to the recital are $15 and will be available beginning Monday, June 9 through the Overture Center Box Office at 608 258-4141.

 The MSO's Free Community Hymn Sings, which debuted as a new community tradition in 2007, continue into a second season with performances at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 12; Saturday, Nov. 8; Tuesday, Dec. 23 (a special Christmas Carol Sing edition); Saturday, March 7, 2009; and Saturday, April 4, 2009.

Free Community Hymn Sings are sponsored by the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation. Lasting approximately 45 minutes, the hymn sings include uplifting patriotic and sacred hymns. Audience participation is encouraged but not required, and all ages are welcome. No reservations are required.

For more information, visit www.madisonsymphony.org/hymnsings.
Celebrating its 44th season, the Los Angeles Master Chorale is recognized as one of Los Angeles' cultural treasures.

The ensemble will perform in Overture Hall on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The chorale appears regularly with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and is the resident chorus of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. They will be joined by the Grammy-nominated American composer Morten Lauridsen, who will accompany his newest work, Nocturnes. This concert is sponsored by Jerome Frautschi and Pleasant T. Rowland Frautschi through the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation and Overture Foundation.

Tickets are $10, $20, $30 and $40, and will be available beginning Monday, June 9, through the Overture Center Box Office, 608 258-4141.

The Overture Concert Organ is the gift of Pleasant T. Rowland. Support for all Overture Concert Organ performances comes from the Diane Endres Ballweg Fund.
For more information on the Overture Concert Organ and the 2008-2009 season of events, please visit www.madisonsymphony.org/organ.

Do you like the free community hymn sings? Do you go to them?

I find the organ to be a really "controversial" instrument. Fans really love it; detractors think it almost always (except maybe in Bach works or the Saint saens "Organ" Symphony) sounds like you're in church or at a wedding or funeral.

How you do feel about the organ in general and the Overture organ in specific?

Do you think it really is the King of Instruments?

Or do you find it windily irritating, pompous and plain old churchy.

Let Art Talk know what you think and why.

And what you think is the best use of this custom-built organ on in Overture Hall.