2016-17 Season - SF SYMPHONY

TURN TO PAGE 13 FOR CONCERT DETAILS IN DATE ORDER .SIX CONCERTS AT 2PMSEVEN CONCERTS AT 8PMVerdi: Italian Masterworksconducts Brahms Symphony No. 2JAN 21 Mozart’s Symphony No. 36MAR 18 Beethoven and Barber, featuring Gil ShahamMAY 13 Emanuel Ax plays MozartMAY 27 Shostakovich with Matthias Goerne andTchaikovsky’s FifthJUN 24 MTT conducts American MavericksSEVEN CONCERTS AT 8PMMichael Tilson Thomas conductorSusanna Phillips sopranoEighth Blackbird ensembleSan Francisco SymphonyFRI SEP 9 8PMSAT SEP 10 8PMSIX CONCERTS AT 2PMOCT 30 MTTconducts Brahms Symphony No. 2JAN 22 Mozart’s Symphony No. 36, LinzFEB 12 Bronfman, Blomstedt, Beethoven, and BrahmsAPR 2 MTT conducts Mahler SymphoniesJUN 11 Stravinsky’s The Rite of SpringJUN 25 MTT conducts American MavericksSunday Matinee ZCombo PackageBuy all 12 concerts and get a complimentaryconcert ticket. Combine Sun A B.In celebration of “the most original musical thinker of our time,”(The New Yorker) MTT pays tribute to composer Steve Reichalongside American masterworks including a selection ofAmerican songs with soprano Susanna Phillips. GrammyAward–winning ensemble Eighth Blackbird joins members ofthe SF Symphony for Reich’s Double Sextet and the programculminates with the full orchestra in Reich’s Three Movements.Buy this concert in:conducts Beethoven’s FifthDEC 17 Handel’s MessiahFEB 11 Bronfman, Blomstedt, Beethoven, and BrahmsMAR 4 MTT conducts Tchaikovsky and ShostakovichAPR 1 MTT conducts Mahler SymphoniesAPR 22 Prokofiev and RachmaninoffJUN 17 Joshua Bell plays Lalo’s Symphonie espagnoleFRI E SAT DMTT conducts Beethoven’s FifthWED SEP 14 8PMTHU SEP 15 8PMSEP 17 MTTFRI SEP 16 8PMSAT SEP 17 8PMMichael Tilson Thomas conductorSan Francisco SymphonyHaydn Symphony No. 69, LaudonSibelius Symphony No. 3Beethoven Symphony No. 5Experience the exhilaration and visceral intensity of Beethoven’sbeloved Fifth Symphony with MTT and the San FranciscoSymphony, who ensure “the work’s raw energy and triumphalpower sound more explosive than ever.” (San Francisco Chronicle)Saturday D PackageViva Verdi: Italian MasterworksTHU SEPT 22 8PMFRI SEPT 23 7:30PMSAT SEPT 24 8PMCopland Billy the Kid SuiteSelection of American SongsSteve Reich Double SextetSteve Reich Three MovementsSunday Matinee B PackageTWELVE CONCERTS AT 2PMSaturday C PackageMTT conducts Reich and CoplandBuy this concert in:Marcello Oboe Concerto in C minorBerio Sinfonia for Eight Solo Voicesand OrchestraSelection of Italian AriasVerdi Te DeumVerdi, who holds one of the most stunning, overarchingoperatic legacies of all time, is central to this program whichfeatures the show-stopping tenor Michael Fabiano with“blazing trumpet-like high notes” (Opera Britannica) as well asGrammy Award-winning vocal ensemble The Swingle Singersand SF Symphony Principal Oboe Eugene Izotov.Buy this concert in:MTT conducts Reich and CoplandHeras-Casado conducts Mozart and DvořákJAN 28 Thibaudet plays Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G majorFEB 25 MTT conducts Prokofiev’s Romeo and JulietMAR 25 Benedetti plays BruchMAY 6 Berlioz’s RequiemJUN 10 Stravinsky’s The Rite of SpringSEP 10SEP 28– OCT 1YUJA WANGWED SEP 28 8PMTHU SEP 29 8PMFRI SEP 30 8PMSAT OCT 1 8PMMichael Tilson Thomas conductorYuja Wang pianoMark Inouye trumpetSan Francisco SymphonyBright Sheng “Overture” to Dream ofthe Red Chamber (SFS Commission)Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1Stravinsky Le Chant du rossignolStravinsky The Firebird Suite(1919 version)WED D THU A FRI C SAT C“She is, quite simply, the most dazzling, uncannily giftedpianist in the concert world today.” (San Francisco Chronicle)Experience Yuja Wang with the San Francisco Symphonyperforming Shostakovich’s sardonic Piano Concerto No. 1, plusmusic from Stravinsky’s ground-breaking ballet, The Firebird,and his symphonic poem inspired by Hans ChristianAnderson’s The Nightingale.Buy this concert in:Saturday Combo PackagesTHU B FRI 7:30 SAT BYuja Wang and Stravinsky’s FirebirdSEVEN CONCERTS AT 8PMOCT 22Michael Tilson Thomas conductorMichael Fabiano tenorThe Swingle Singers vocal ensembleEugene Izotov oboeSan Francisco Symphony Chorus,Ragnar Bohlin directorSan Francisco SymphonyADD-ONSSEP 24 VivaOCT 29 MTTconducts Das klagende Lied:A Semi-Staged EventFEB 5 Beethoven’s Ode to JoyMAR 12 Beethoven and BrahmsMAR 26 Benedetti plays BruchMAY 21 Mendelssohn’s Scottish SymphonyJUN 18 Joshua Bell plays Lalo’s Symphonie espagnoleSPECIAL SERIESSaturday B PackageJAN 15 MTTGRE AT PERFORMER Sconducts Das klagende Lied:A Semi-Staged EventFEB 18 John Adams’ The Gospel According tothe Other MaryMAR 11 Beethoven and BrahmsAPR 29 German Romanticism: Schumann and StraussMAY 20 Mendelssohn’s Scottish SymphonyJUL 1 MTT conducts Berlioz’s Romeo and JulietBrowse concert details here. See pages 9–12 for package summaries.CONCERTSSunday Matinee A PackageSEVEN CONCERTS AT 8PMPACK AGESSaturday A PackageOCT 1 Yuja Wang and Stravinsky’s FirebirdTURN TO PAGE 9 FOR PACK AGE SUMMARIES.ConcertsSaturday & Sunday PackagesJAN 14 MTTConcerts: Davies Symphony Hall Classical SeriesDISCOVERSubscription Packages: Davies Symphony Hall Classical SeriesWED C THU C FRI F SAT AFOURTEEN CONCERTS AT 8PMBuy 14 concerts and get a complimentary concertticket. Combine any two Saturday packages.Buy 21 or all 28 concerts and get extra perks—anadditional seat upgrade, complimentary concertticket, and a complimentary drink voucher.Combine any three or four Saturday packages.EUGENE IZOTOV, PRINCIPAL OBOE12LISTEN TO MUSIC EXCERPTS AT SFSYMPHONY.ORGSubscribe 415-864-6000 SFSYMPHONY.ORG13

TURN TO PAGE 9 FOR PACK AGE SUMMARIES.WED OCT 19 8PMFRI OCT 21 8PMSAT OCT 22 8PMPablo Heras-Casado conductorAlisa Weilerstein celloSan Francisco SymphonyFRI DEC 16 8PMSAT DEC 17 8PMWED C THU M FRI D SAT DHandel MessiahHallelujah! Patrick Dupré Quigley makes his SF Symphonyconducting debut and leads Handel’s celebrated Messiahwith the Grammy Award-winning Symphony Chorus andSF Symphony. Mark your calendars now to witness one of theBay Area’s favorite holiday traditions and experience thethundering glory of this joyous music.Buy this concert in:THU C FRI D SAT CFRI OCT 28 8PMSAT OCT 29 8PMSUN OCT 30 2PMFRI NOV 4 8PMJames Gaffigan leads an exhilarating program featuring the“absolutely stunning” (Chicago Tribune) violinist Simone Lamsmaperforming Prokofiev’s passionate Violin Concerto No. 2 andshowcasing the Symphony in the original orchestration ofMussorgsky’s A Night on Bald Mountain. Also, hear Mozart’sblazing Symphony No. 36—written in just four days for asurprise concert in Linz—and R. Strauss’ arrestinginterpretation of Salome’s sensual dance for King Herod.Buy this concert in:OPEN THU B FRI 7:30 SAT B SUN BFRI JAN 27 8PMOPEN THU C FRI E SAT BMichael Tilson Thomas conductorYuja Wang pianoSan Francisco Symphony“She seems to have everything: speed, flexibility, pianisticthunder, and interpretive nuance.” (The New York Times) Yuja Wangshines alongside Michael Tilson Thomas’ spirited Agnegram,written for the Symphony’s long-time patron and friend AgnesAlbert with her initials spelling out the melody. This dynamicprogram also features Bruckner’s expansive Seventh Symphony.WED D THU A FRI CBeethoven’s Ode to JoyHerbert Blomstedt conductorSan Francisco Symphony Chorus,Ragnar Bohlin directorSan Francisco SymphonyWED FEB 1 8PMFRI FEB 3 8PMSUN FEB 5 2PMBeethoven Symphony No. 9Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9—which ends with theunforgettable Ode to Joy and is the first symphony joining theforces of orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists—is one of the mostinfluential works of all time. Experience this powerful, triumphantmasterpiece with Conductor Laureate Herbert Blomstedt andthe Grammy Award–winning SF Symphony and Chorus.The Feb 5 concert benefits the Orchestra’s pension fund.Buy this concert in:WED D FRI C SUN ABronfman, Blomstedt, Beethoven,and BrahmsTHU FEB 9 2PMFRI FEB 10 7:30PMTHU JAN 26 2PMSAT JAN 28 8PMMTT conducts Das klagende Lied:A Semi-Staged EventFRI JAN 13 8PMSAT JAN 14 8PMSUN JAN 15 2PMSAT FEB 11 8PMSUN FEB 12 2PMLionel Bringuier conductorJean-Yves Thibaudet pianoSan Francisco SymphonyKodály Dances of GalántaRavel Piano Concerto in G majorBeethoven Symphony No. 4JAN 13–15JOÉLLE HARVEYMichael Tilson Thomas AgnegramChopin Piano Concerto No. 2Bruckner Symphony No. 7Buy this concert in:SUN JAN 22 2PMAllegri MiserereMozart Piano Concerto No. 20Brahms Symphony No. 2Yuja Wang plays ChopinTHU NOV 3 8PMSAT JAN 21 8PMMussorgsky A Night on Bald MountainProkofiev Violin Concerto No. 2Mozart Symphony No. 36, LinzR. Strauss “Dance of the Seven Veils”from SalomeThibaudet plays Ravel’sPiano Concerto in GKatharine Hanrahan Open Rehearsal is a working rehearsal. The pieces rehearsedare at the conductor’s discretion.WED NOV 2 8PMFRI JAN 20 7:30PMMichael Tilson Thomas conductorRudolph Buchbinder pianoPacific Boychoir, Kevin Fox directorSan Francisco SymphonyListen for Brahms’ familiar Lullaby in his pensive and joyfulSymphony No. 2, composed in a burst of inspiration in thesun-drenched Austrian countryside. Plus, acclaimed pianistRudolf Buchbinder performs Mozart’s stormy Piano ConcertoNo. 20, known to be one of Beethoven’s favorite pieces of music.Buy this concert in:THU JAN 19 8PMJames Gaffigan conductorSimone Lamsma violinSan Francisco SymphonyMichael Tilson Thomas conductorJoélle Harvey sopranoSasha Cooke mezzo-sopranoBrian Mulligan baritoneJames Darrah stage directorAdam Larsen video designerSan Francisco Symphony Chorus,Ragnar Bohlin directorSan Francisco SymphonyMahler BlumineMahler Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen(Songs of a Wayfarer)Mahler Das klagende Lied [semi-staged]Michael Tilson Thomas leads an internationally-renownedcast of singers in Mahler's earliest works. AlthoughDas klagende Lied was conceived as an unstaged cantata,MTT and Stage Director James Darrah expand its scopeto incorporate scenic elements, original projections byvideographer Adam Larsen, costumes, and lighting to createa dark fairy tale kingdom where two brothers battle for aQueen's love.Lionel Bringuier conducts a vibrant program, from the Hungarianfolk music of Kodály’s Dances of Galánta to the sounds ofAmerican jazz in Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major. Acclaimedpianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet returns to Davies Symphony Hall,bringing “sophistication and suavity, both clarity and afreedom infused by the spirit of jazz.” (The New York Times)The Thursday Matinee concerts are endowed by a gift in memory of Rhoda Goldman.Buy this concert in:THU M FRI E SAT DHerbert Blomstedt conductorYefim Bronfman pianoSan Francisco SymphonyADD-ONSTHU OCT 27 8PMTHU JAN 19 10AMKatharine HanrahanOpen RehearsalKatharine Hanrahan Open Rehearsal is a working rehearsal. The pieces rehearsedare at the conductor’s discretion.MTT conducts BrahmsSymphony No. 2THU OCT 27 10AMKatharine HanrahanOpen RehearsalMozart’s Symphony No. 36SPECIAL SERIESThe Thursday Matinee concerts are endowed by a gift in memory of Rhoda Goldman.Patrick Dupré Quigley conductorLauren Snouffer sopranoAnthony Roth Costanzo countertenorZachary Wilder tenorChristian Van Horn bass-baritoneSan Francisco Symphony Chorus,Ragnar Bohlin directorSan Francisco SymphonyGRE AT PERFORMER SMozart Symphony No. 29Schumann Cello ConcertoDvořák Symphony No. 7Enjoy a blockbuster double bill of symphonies conductedby audience favorite Pablo Heras-Casado: Mozart’s brightSymphony No. 29 and Dvořák’s dramatic and profoundlyintimate Symphony No. 7. Alisa Weilerstein brings her“impassioned, intelligent playing” (The New York Times) toSchumann’s poignant Cello Concerto.Buy this concert in:THU DEC 15 8PMCONCERTSTHU OCT 20 2PMHandel’s MessiahTURN TO PAGE 9 FOR PACK AGE SUMMARIES.PACK AGESHeras-Casado conductsMozart and DvožákConcerts: Davies Symphony Hall Classical SeriesDISCOVERConcerts: Davies Symphony Hall Classical SeriesBeethoven Piano Concerto No. 4Brahms Symphony No. 3At its premiere, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 was hailedas the most singular, artistic, and complex concerto thecomposer had ever written. Hear celebrated pianist YefimBronfman play this master work, followed by the San FranciscoSymphony performing Brahms’ beautiful Symphony No. 3,described by critics as “Brahms’ Eroica.”The Thursday Matinee concerts are endowed by a gift in memory of Rhoda Goldman.Buy this concert in:THU M FRI 7:30 SAT C SUN BJohn Adams’ The Gospel Accordingto the Other MaryTHU FEB 16 8PMFRI FEB 17 8PMSAT FEB 18 8PMJAN 26 –28JEAN -Y VES THIBAUDETJoana Carneiro conductorKelley O’Connor mezzo-sopranoTamara Mumford mezzo-sopranoJay Hunter Morris tenorDaniel Bubeck, Brian Cummings,Nathan Medley countertenorsSan Francisco Symphony Chorus,Ragnar Bohlin directorSan Francisco SymphonyJohn Adams The Gospel According tothe Other MarySocial justice, political unrest, miracles, and resurrection. Jointhe San Francisco Symphony in celebrating John Adams’ 70thbirthday with “the most sophisticated, majestic, and moving[music] of his career.” (Los Angeles Times) With a libretto by PeterSellars built on texts and poems from feminist writers andsocial activists, Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Marywill be a powerful, not-to-be-missed event.Buy this concert in:THU A FRI F SAT ASupported by the Barbro and Bernard Osher Staged Production Fund.Buy this concert in:14LISTEN TO MUSIC EXCERPTS AT SFSYMPHONY.ORGFRI F SAT A SUN ASubscribe 415-864-6000 SFSYMPHONY.ORG15

TURN TO PAGE 9 FOR PACK AGE SUMMARIES.WED FEB 22 8PMFRI FEB 24 8PMSAT FEB 25 8PMMichael Tilson Thomas conductorLeila Josefowicz violinSan Francisco SymphonyBuy this concert in:WED C THU B FRI D SAT DFRI MAR 10 8PMSAT MAR 11 8PMSUN MAR 12 2PMWED MAR 1 8PMTHU MAR 2 2PMFRI MAR 3 8PMSAT MAR 4 8PMMichael Tilson Thomas conductorGautier Capuçon celloSan Francisco SymphonyGnesin The Jewish Orchestra at the Ballof NothingtownShostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6,PathétiqueGautier Capuçon’s performances with the SF Symphonyare “thoughtful, highly dramatic, and played with precisionand grace.” (San Francisco Chronicle) The acclaimed cellist joinsMichael Tilson Thomas for Shostakovich’s provocative CelloConcerto No. 1. The orchestra then plays Tchaikovsky’s ardentPathétique Symphony, known as one of the composer’sproudest achievements.The Thursday Matinee concerts are endowed by a gift in memory of Rhoda Goldman.Buy this concert in:WED C THU M FRI E SAT CMAR 9–12AR ABELL ASTEINBACHERSUN MAR 26 2PMKatharine Hanrahan Open Rehearsal is a working rehearsal. The pieces rehearsedare at the conductor’s discretion.Michael Tilson Thomas conductorNicola Benedetti violinSan Francisco SymphonyCage The Seasons [with video]Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1Bartók Concerto for OrchestraViolinist Nicola Benedetti, whose playing emanates “radiantlofty lyricism, touching intimate bluesiness, and furiousrhythmic energy,” (The Telegraph) performs Bruch’s First ViolinConcerto, a beloved masterpiece of Romantic lyricism, withMichael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony.Buy this concert in:SAT D SUN AMICHAEL TILSON THOMASSAT MAR 18 8PMOPEN WED D THU M FRI 7:30 SAT CSchreker Chamber SymphonyBarber Violin ConcertoBeethoven Symphony No. 7THU APR 27 10AMKatharine HanrahanOpen RehearsalMichael Tilson Thomas conductorJeffrey Anderson tubaSan Francisco SymphonyCage The Seasons [with video]Robin Holloway Europa and the Bull(SFS Co-commission)Bartók Concerto for OrchestraShowcasing each section of the orchestra in this five-movementmasterpiece, Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra utilizes everycorner of the symphony to its full potential. On a program alsofeaturing Cage’s The Seasons, written only a few years afterBartók’s work, hear the groundbreaking uses of tonality, form,and expression in mid-century classical music.Buy this concert in:Hailed as “leader of the pack of Russianpianists,” (Classical Source) Denis Kozhukhintakes on Prokofiev's fiendishly challenging Piano ConcertoNo. 2, a work he has performed worldwide to rave reviews:“From the spare chill elegance of the first movement’s openingto the keyboard cascades that followed, Kozhukhin had anabsolute free-ranging authority.” (The Guardian) Then, experienceRachmaninoff’s romantic Second Symphony as it moves frombrooding restraint to wild energy, and is punctuated byunforgettable moments of utmost beauty.SAT APR 22 8PMGerman Romanticism:Schumann and StraussMTT conducts Bartók’sConcerto for OrchestraFRI MAR 24 8PMFRI APR 21 7:30PMProkofiev Piano Concerto No. 2Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2Juraj Valčuha conductorGil Shaham violinSan Francisco SymphonyTHU APR 27 8PMFRI APR 28 8PMSAT APR 29 8PMTHU C FRI F SAT BTHU MAR 23 8PMTHU APR 20 2PMBuy this concert in:With its high energy and rhythmic vivacity, Beethoven’sSymphony No. 7 is part tumultuous, part mysterious, and alljoy. Matching its brilliance is violinist Gil Shaham in aperformance of Barber’s Violin Concerto sure to showcase his“soulful eloquence and vigor that still [makes] room forunbridled shows of virtuosity.” (San Francisco Chronicle)Buy this concert in:WED APR 19 8PMAndrés Orozco-Estrada conductorDenis Kozhukhin pianoSan Francisco SymphonyThe Thursday Matinee concerts are endowed by a gift in memory of Rhoda Goldman.Beethoven and Barber,featuring Gil ShahamFRI MAR 17 8PMWED APR 19 10AMKatharine HanrahanOpen RehearsalKatharine Hanrahan Open Rehearsal is a working rehearsal. The pieces rehearsedare at the conductor’s discretion.OPEN THU B FRI C SAT A SUN ATHU MAR 16 8PMProkofiev and RachmaninoffTHU A FRI 7:30MTT conducts MahlerTHU MAR 30 8PMFRI MAR 31 8PMSAT APR 1 8PMSUN APR 2 2PMBuy this concert in:Fabio Luisi conductorIgor Levit pianoSan Francisco SymphonySchumann Piano Concerto in A minorR. Strauss Aus ItalienMetropolitan Opera Principal ConductorFabio Luisi leads an intense Germanprogram of Schumann and Strauss. “In a class of his own,”(The Telegraph) pianist Igor Levit performs Schumann’sexhilarating Piano Concerto. Then, envision breathtakingRoman ruins and sweeping rural landscapes in RichardStrauss’ first tone poem, Aus Italien, inspired by the youngcomposer’s trip to Italy.Michael Tilson Thomas conductorSan Francisco SymphonyKatharine Hanrahan Open Rehearsal is a working rehearsal. The pieces rehearsedare at the conductor’s discretion.Mahler Adagio from Symphony No. 10Mahler Symphony No. 1Buy this concert in:With seven Grammys for recordings of Mahler’s symphonies,Michael Tilson Thomas and the SF Symphony are “the mostexciting Mahler combination anywhere.” (Los Angeles Times) Youwon’t want to miss the thrilling combination of the poignantAdagio from Mahler’s Tenth alongside the storied FirstSymphony, which is infused with enchanting melodies, stormyepisodes, and glorious,

Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 NOV 2–4 Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 Jean-Yves Thibaudet JAN 26–28 Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Yefim Bronfman FEB 9–12 Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 Gil Shaham MAR 16–18 Barber’s Violin Concerto Emanuel Ax MAY 10–13 Mozart’s Piano