MADISON — The Madison Symphony Orchestra is celebrating a century of music with a bittersweet milestone as longtime Music Director John DeMain prepares to step down after more than three decades on the podium.
This weekend’s concert marks DeMain’s second-to-last performance as music director, part of the symphony’s centennial season celebration. The special program features world-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax in “Ax Plays Mozart” at the Overture Center.
DeMain, who has led the orchestra for 32 years, will return next year as a guest conductor. He said this milestone year provides an opportunity to express his gratitude to both the musicians and the Madison community.
“I love, you know, the big orchestra pieces. And so I wanted to make sure I had a couple of those going on, and just how much I love this orchestra, and how much I love working with them, and how over the my 32 years here, they’ve just become a phenomenal, a phenomenal orchestra,” DeMain said.
The Madison Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1924, making this season a significant anniversary for the cultural institution. DeMain’s tenure has spanned nearly one-third of the orchestra’s entire history.
The weekend concerts featuring Ax will take place Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. All performances are scheduled at the Overture Center for the Arts.
Tickets for the centennial celebration concerts range from $22 to $125, making the performances accessible to a wide range of music lovers in the Madison community.
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