By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – Itzhak Perlman leads his final concert with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Saturday.
The conductor and violinist served as the orchestra's music advisor while the search for a permanent music director was underway.
On KWMU's Cityscape Friday, Perlman said he's enjoyed leading the ensemble for the past two concert seasons.
"The orchestra's in wonderful shape," Perlman said. "I've been very fortunate to be in on some auditions for certain positions within the orchestra that opened. And so far every position that has been occupied, everybody's been very, very happy with that."
Perlman conducts music by Mozart, Brahms, and Paganini before a sold-out audience Saturday night.
He'll be back as a guest conductor for two concerts in January.
David Robertson was named music director in December. His contract begins next year.