This story first appeared in the Fall 2024 edition of The Score.
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Dear Symphony Family,
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by John DeMain, Music Director
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I want to start out by thanking everyone who helped make my 30th anniversary season so memorable. Starting with the gala last September, so beautifully planned by the MSOL, the wonderful opportunity to conduct a Mozart violin concerto with the great playing of violinist Julian Rhee, a delicious dinner, and the wonderful book of memories of my time here, it was truly unforgettable. But it didn’t stop there. We opened in September with an all American program reflecting my deep involvement with the music of our own country. Throughout the season, I had the opportunity to conduct pieces that had a special meaning for me, such as Mahler’s 5th symphony, Verdi’s Requiem, Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, Dvořák’s New World Symphony, and an entire concert of music by Mexican composers. The orchestra played magnificently all season. And the chorus never sounded better with their stunning performance of the Verdi Requiem under the superb guidance of chorus director Beverly Taylor. All of the soloists for the season performed stunningly, and a special shout out to associate conductor Kyle Knox for his fine work throughout the year.
As you know, I’ve announced my retirement at the end of the 25/26 season. These next two years are celebratory in every way, as this coming season, our 99th, celebrates 20 years in Overture Hall and 20 years of MSO’s Overture Concert Organ that have become the gifts that keep on giving. And, of course, the 25/26 season is our 100th anniversary, and it promises to be a spectacular one. Back to this season, we have put together a season of phenomenal soloists, popular symphonic works, and new surprises. We begin in September with our annual symphony gala, this year honoring Terry Haller, perhaps the greatest advocate for the arts this city has ever known. In late September, we have our first subscription concert celebrating the Overture Concert Organ and the great musical partnership between our superstar organist, Greg Zelek and his best friend, cellist Tommy Mesa. The concert opens with Valerie Coleman’s Umoja: Anthem of Unity and closes with a nod to Hispanic Heritage Month as the orchestra performs the de Falla Three Cornered Hat (El Sombrero de Tres Picas) Suite No. 2. Greg plays Jongen’s Sinfonie Concertante which we played 20 years ago to dedicate the organ. It is a grand and beautiful work and one of the best examples of concerto writing for organ and symphony orchestra. Tommy will play Tchaikovsky’s lovely Rococo Variations.
In October, we have our first of three guest conductors, as we are deep into our search for the MSO’s next music director. Nicholas Hersh will lead the orchestra in Berlioz’s massive Sinfonie Fantastique, and a first performance of a work by Anna Clyne. Joining Hersh will be the return of violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, who simply dazzled us a few years ago with her performance of Wynton Marsalis’ Violin Concerto. This time around, she performs works by Ravel and Vaughan Williams.
November brings our second guest conductor, Michael Stern, and favorite MSO guest artist, pianist Garrick Ohlsson. The program will open with a work by Jonathan Leshnoff, another first for the MSO, and close with Shostakovich’s fifth symphony. Garrick will treat us to his rendition of the very beautiful piano concerto by Edvard Grieg, showcasing the MSO’s Hamburg Steinway piano, the gift of Peter Livingston and Sharon Stark 20 years ago.
Our Christmas concert welcomes soprano Vanessa Becerra and Baritone Craig Irvin, both spectacular Madison Opera alumni. Our wonderful arts partners, the Madison Youth Choirs and Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, join our own Madison Symphony Chorus. Continuing our celebration of the Overture Concert Organ, Greg Zelek will play the last movement of the mighty Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3, the organ symphony.
In January, we have the unbelievably good fortune to welcome back superstar violinist Gil Shaham, along with his sister, pianist Orli Shaham, and cellist Sterling Elliott for what promises to be an exciting performance of Beethoven’s triple concerto as the centerpiece for our all Beethoven program, featuring our first performance of Beethoven’s second symphony in 25 years, and the only Beethoven symphony I haven’t conducted during my time here. This exciting event opens with the great Leonore Overture No. 3.
March brings us a feast of gorgeous music starting with Strauss’ glorious tone poem, Don Juan, and ending with Mozart’s moving Requiem. Soprano Amanda Majeski (Madison Opera’s stunning Salome two seasons ago) will sing Strauss’ Four Last Songs, a bucket list piece for me and the first performance by the MSO in nearly 40 years. The MSO chorus joins the orchestra with a fine array of soloists for his ever popular requiem.
April brings guest conductor Joseph Young for a very interesting program starting with Samuel Barber’s Second Essay for Orchestra, and concluding with Maestro Young’s compilation of movements from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. Our guest soloists will be Time for Three, a crossover string trio, in their MSO debut. They will play a work entitled Contact, written for them by Kevin Puts, which also won a Grammy, and is a very beautiful and heartwarming piece.
Our season concludes in May with an all-Gershwin program that brings the return of another favorite pianist of the MSO, Philippe Bianconi, playing Gershwin’s Concerto in F, a personal favorite of mine. Selections from Porgy and Bess conclude the program featuring two fabulous singers, baritone Eric Greene and our Madison Opera Tosca and MSO Christmas concert artist Michelle Johnson. They are joined by the MSO Chorus as we perform all the hits from Gershwin’s great opera. This concludes our subscription series and I’m sure you’ll agree with me, there is so much great music to look forward to listening to LIVE! In addition, Kyle Knox will lead the orchestra in its new MSO at the Movies series this year featuring Disney and Pixar’s Coco in Concert, and Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert. See the film and hear the Madison Symphony play the film score live. It’s a very exciting experience and a great introduction to music lovers who are not familiar with the Madison Symphony. So, as you can see, there is something for everyone this 99th season of our beloved orchestra. Playing in Overture Hall for the last 19 years has been transformational for the orchestra, as well as for me personally. It is with great pride and deep gratitude to Jerry Frautschi and Pleasant Rowland that we celebrate Overture Center’s 20th anniversary season. As I said at the start of this letter, it is a magnificent gift that just keeps on giving. Be there with us to celebrate this great temple of music in our incredible city.
– John DeMain
Music Director