A SYMPHONY OF GRATITUDE
2023–2024
Reflections from the Podium
by John DeMain, Music Director
I was thrilled to celebrate my 30th Anniversary Season by including some programmatic elements that were very personal to me. Being an American conductor, I opened the 2023-2024 Season with an all-American program of works by Copland, Gershwin, John Adams, and Howard Hanson. Pianist Terrence Wilson made his Madison debut performing on our beautiful Hamburg Steinway piano. The October program featured the dynamic spousal duo of MSO concertmaster Naha Greenholtz and Associate Conductor Kyle Knox, in works by Bernstein, and Brahms/ Schoenberg, and a dazzling performance by Naha of the Shostakovich first violin concerto. In November, Jonathan Biss gave a passionate performance of Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor and we showcased the brilliant Negro Folk Symphony of American composer William Levi Dawson.
“The January program was a dream for me to conduct.”
Our annual Christmas concerts, featuring our joyous collaboration with the Madison Symphony Chorus, Mt. Zion Gospel Choir, Madison Youth Choirs and guest opera stars—this year Evelyn Saavedra and Limmie Pulliam— unofficially kicked off the Christmas season. The January program was a dream for me to conduct. The Mozart Piano Concertos are my desert island pieces, and I became an orchestral conductor because wanted to conduct the Mahler Symphonies! Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 performed by Joyce Yang was a highlight of the season, followed by the orchestra’s splendid playing of Mahler’s 5th symphony. Kyle Knox conducted the first installment of a new artistic venture for the Madison Symphony Orchestra: MSO at the Movies, with a sold-out performance of Disney’s Pixar in Concert .
The March program was partially determined by our subscribers, who voted for Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 as their “audience choice” selection. Steven Isserlis gave a virtuosic and animated performance of Kabalevsky’s Cello Concerto No. 2 and we performed Jennifer Higdon’s fun work “Loco.”
The April Verdi Requiem concert was also very personal for me. That is the piece I told my dear late wife I wanted to have played at my eventual funeral, but since that is highly unlikely, I went ahead and programmed it during my 30th anniversary season! To end my 30th anniversary season, I programmed an all-Mexican concert featuring music by Mexican composers, a Mexican piano soloist, and at the suggestion of Executive Director Robert Reed, the Grammy-winning Mariachi los Camperos. It was a roof-raising experience and it was wonderful to see so many new audience members in attendance.
In June, we presented our first-ever Symphony at Sunset fundraiser and concert in partnership with the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, featuring hit selections from Broadway musicals in a picture-perfect setting at Burrows Park.
Our Principal Organist and Curator of the Overture Concert Organ, Greg Zelek, crafted a highly engaging and varied Organ Season, attracting some of our largest audiences to date. Of particular note was Greg’s invitation to several Cuban artists from his hometown of Miami, Florida, for a wildly popular program of classical and popular LatinAmerican music. Two guest organists, Ken Cowan and Chelsea Chen, displayed their virtuosity in traditional organ programs. To end the season, Greg collaborated with Scott Teeple and the UW-Madison Wind Ensemble that once again brought many newcomers to Overture Hall. I continue to marvel at the growing popularity of these programs that Greg conceives to showcase our treasured organ.
In addition to the ticketed concert series which so many of you attended, the MSO continued its important work of making live music accessible to new and diverse audiences. The Rhapsodie Quartet provided music therapy-inspired HeartStrings® sessions to people with special needs, the Hunt Quartet brought the Up Close & Musical® education program into elementary schools, and Kyle Knox led the Orchestra in two free community concerts at the Verona Area Performing Arts Center and Madison College’s Mitby Theater and a Family Concert at the Capitol Theater. Kyle also led the orchestra in three Young People’s Concerts, Randy Swiggum conducted the Link Up education concert, and we continued our Final Forte collaboration with PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio Rado, showcasing the extraordinary virtuosic talent of Wisconsin high school musicians. These diverse Education and Community Engagement Programs provided opportunities for meaningful connection between the MSO and our community.
“Working with these incredible musicians has been a constant joy and privilege for me over the past three decades.”
I continue to enjoy a wonderful working relationship with Executive Director, Robert Reed, who is doing a brilliant job leading the MSO towards its vision for our 100th Anniversary Season and beyond.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the amazing musicians of the Madison Symphony Orchestra who pour such love and passion into everything they perform, season after season. Some of them have even been with me for my entire 30 years! Working with these incredible musicians has been a constant joy and privilege for me over the past three decades. Many of you have been in the audience for that entire time, and some of you were already there long before I arrived!
Thank you to all who joined us in Overture Hall last season. Your presence, support, and applause mean everything to us.
– John DeMain Music Director
31,810 total tickets
28 concerts
24 subscription concerts
2 community concerts
1 movie concert
1 family concert
14 guest artists featured
3 guest ensembles featured
“Yang’s performance was magnificent, playing a beautiful piece. The Mahler, however, was exquisite. Every section acquitted themselves with a high degree of excellence. A fantastic performance of a stunning piece.”
“The Verdi Requiem is one of my alltime favorites, and this performance is one of the best I’ve heard. The power and beauty of the Dies Irae brought me to tears, and the soloists were absolutely perfect.”
4,134 total tickets
4 ticketed concerts
6 guest artists featured
1 guest ensemble featured
“Greg Zelek’s enthusiasm, warmth, and exceptional musicianship was most compelling. He really connected with the audience and made us feel a part of his family.”
“Could not have been better. Outstanding musicianship, fabulous instrumentation, spectacular music, and a wonderful vibe. The performances were so expressive and emotional we could see tears in eyes all around us. Greg is an absolute community treasure. Thank you for another impressive season.”
