Live From Bradley Symphony Center: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra celebrates its new season with the opening of a restored city landmark, Bradley Symphony Center. Under the baton of Ken-David Masur, with special guest pianist Aaron Diehl, the orchestra will perform works by Ellington, Gershwin and Stravinsky, along with a new piece by Eric Nathan commemorating the grand opening of the Center.

Sonora Slocum was meant to be a musician. Her name means "sound." Find out more about how her parents settled on her name and how she's determined to keep diversity front and center as a Black woman and principal flutist for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Duke Ellington's "New World A-Comin'," composed by Duke Ellington in 1943 and premiered at Carnegie Hall. The piece features Ellington admirer Aaron Diehl on the piano. Diehl is the artistic partner of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. The title was inspired by Roy Ottley's book by the same name which envisioned a better life for African Americans after World War II.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra raised $89 million to acquire and renovate the 1930s Grand Warner Theater, office tower and built out two new additions. All that work began in June of 2018, and included plans to move the back wall of the theater in one piece to assure a national historic preservation grant.

Excerpt of Composer Eric Nathan's piece "Opening" which was commissioned by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for the opening weekend of the Bradley Symphony Center. The composition featured players located throughout the Concert Hall. The orchestra is conducted by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Music Director Ken-David Masur.

Work inside the Bradley Symphony Center included the careful restoration of the 1930s murals in the main lobby and inside the concert hall. Artists from Conrad Schmitt Studios in Milwaukee repaired water and smoke damage, and removed layers of dirt from the Art Deco and French Renaissance style murals.

Excerpt of Igor Stravinsky's "The Firebird Suite," composed in 1919 and featuring the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ken-David Masur. Stravinsky adapted the Suite from his ballet "The Firebird," which featured many folkloric Russian characters, and was performed in Paris to critical acclaim in 1915.

The MSO's assistant principal cellist says playing the cello has parallels to a good relationship. "You're kind of finding a match that really works for you." He talks about his "young" cello and why it works for him.

George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," composed by Gershwin in 1924 and featuring Guest Soloist Aaron Diehl with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ken-David Masur.

Aaron Diehl is the artistic partner of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He was the guest pianist at the symphony's opening concert in October of 2021. Diehl discusses his musical preferences and his love of Duke Ellington, and improvises in his dressing room.