The Austin Symphony celebrates 93 years of music

In it's 93rd season the longest running continuous orchestra in Texas, the Austin Symphony, has big plans for this season.

Grammy-award-winning Pianist Emmanuel Ax joins the symphony for a spectacular opening.

"The people who already know and love classical music are expecting a high level of performance from us," said Peter Bay, the symphony's conductor.

"But I feel part of our mission is to also play music that is not often played, whether it's new music, American music or even music by those famous composers that's rarely heard."

The season's plans include Czech composer and a Spanish piece that Bay says provides the feeling of Spain.

"There's something incredibly sensual about Latin music in general and Spanish music in particular," said Ax.

Later in the season the symphony features a trio of singers called the Eroica Trio. Three women who play the cello, violin and piano.

"They often been called the Dixie Chicks of classical music," said Bay.

One of the most moving pieces the symphony plans is a special performance around the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The performance includes a chorus, a cello soloist and newsman Hugh Downs will narrate.

"I think newcomers to the orchestra are expecting a really powerful performance and I hope we give it to them," Bay said.

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The piece on the Austin symphony was produced by Elena Ramirez.