MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The 100th season of the Madison Symphony Orchestra continues with a performance of “Ax Plays Mozart” this weekend.
The performance will be led by John Demain as conductor and Emanuel Ax will play the piano. This is the sixth time that Ax will play with Demain.
“He works with the orchestra, he has ideas, and he articulates them, so we have a really great time working with him,” Demain said.
For Demain, the 100th season is not only a big one for the Madison Symphony Orchestra, but also for himself.
Demain will be retiring after 32 years as Music Director and Conductor of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
“It’s not that I want to stop conducting, but they’ve been looking at my face for the last 32 years, and this is the centennial, so we thought this would be a good time to begin a search for my successor,” Demain said.
Demain is looking forward to retirement, looking to spend more time with family. Demain also plans to travel more, cook and play his refurnished Steinway Grand Piano.
To celebrate his final year, audience members can read about Demain’s storied career in “Working with My Heroes: A Life in Music” that will be available at concerts throughout the season.
“I worked with so many famous people in different parts of the performing arts and working side-by-side with them,” Demain said. “Problem solving, learning how to manage a big orchestra. Hopefully, young conductors see how I solved problems and what my philosophy was in making music.”
To check out events at the Madison Symphony Orchestra, head to https://madisonsymphony.org/ for more information.
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