From Mozart and Modernism to a classic John Williams film score and the music that inspired it. From the possibility of seeing your favorite virtuoso live or experiencing something that’s never been done before. From an off-the-wall musical escapade or a desert-island classic, the San Francisco Symphony’s 2023–24 season has it ALL!
Celebrate this Fall with the SF Symphony! TICKETS are ON SALE NOW!
Here are some of the highlights for this Fall:
When you want something NEW…
Photo of Pekka Kuusisto by Bård Gundersen
INTERPLAY: PEKKA KUUSISTO
OCTOBER 6–7
•Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
• Pekka Kuusisto, violin
• Jesper Nordin, electronica
• San Francisco Symphony
JESPER NORDIN Convergence [SF Symphony Commission and World Premiere]
JOHN ADAMS Naïve and Sentimental Music
CALIFORNIA FESTIVAL
The artistic freedom and entrepreneurial energy of California have served as a magnet for generations of artists. Esa-Pekka Salonen and the San Francisco Symphony present programs as part of the California Festival: A Celebration of New Music, a two-week festival bringing together organizations and ensembles from throughout the state in a windfall of some of the most compelling music of the last five years.
TO THE EDGE
NOVEMBER 11–12
• Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
• Carey Bell, clarinet
• San Francisco Symphony
ESA-PEKKA SALONEN Kínēma
JENS IBSEN Drowned in Light [SF Symphony Commission & World Premiere]
IGOR STRAVINSKY Symphony in Three Movements
FROM THE EDGE
NOVEMBER 17–18
• Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
• James McVinnie, organ
• Hillary Leben, animator
• Lauren Snouffer, soprano
• Kayleigh Decker, mezzo-soprano
• Paul Appleby, tenor
• David Soar, bass
• San Francisco Symphony and Chorus
IGOR STRAVINSKY Octet for Wind Instruments
GABRIELLA SMITH Breathing Forests
IGOR STRAVINSKY (orch. STEVEN STUCKY) Les Noces
When you want the music you LOVE…
Photo of Emanuel Ax by Nigel Parry
ESA-PEKKA SALONEN & EMANUEL AX
OCTOBER 12–14 [OPEN REHEARSAL OCTOBER 12]
• Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
• Emanuel Ax, piano
• San Francisco Symphony
JOHANNES BRAHMS Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn
ANDERS HILLBORG Piano Concerto [SF Symphony Commission and World Premiere]
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2
Photo of Michael Tilson Thomas by Brigitte Lacombe
MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS
Music Director Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas returns to Davies Symphony Hall to lead must-see performances with the San Francisco Symphony
MTT CONDUCTS BEETHOVEN 9
OCTOBER 19, 21–22
• Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
• Angel Blue, soprano
• Tamara Mumford, mezzo-soprano
• Ben Bliss, tenor
• Dashon Burton, bass
• San Francisco Symphony and Chorus
OLLY WILSON Shango Memory
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9
Photo of Gustavo Dudamel by Danny Clinch
DUDAMEL CONDUCTS BRAHMS 2
NOVEMBER 24–26
• Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
• Jorge Glem, cuatro
• San Francisco Symphony
GABRIELA ORTIZ Kauyumari
GONZALO GRAU Odisea: Concerto for Venezuelan Cuatro and Orchestra
JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 2
When you want music with STORIES…
SALONEN CONDUCTS AN ALPINE SYMPHONY
SEPTEMBER 29–OCTOBER 1
• Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
• Leonidas Kavakos, violin
• San Francisco Symphony
WYNTON MARSALIS Herald, Holler and Hallelujah!
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVKSY Violin Concerto
RICHARD STRAUSS An Alpine Symphony
Photo of Daniel Harding by Julian Hagreaves
HARDING CONDUCTS THE PLANETS
OCTOBER 26–28 [OPEN REHEARSAL OCTOBER 26]
• Daniel Harding, conductor
• Andrew Staples, tenor
• San Francisco Symphony and Chorus
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS On Wenlock Edge
GUSTAV HOLST The Planets
INSPIRATIONS: ART/MUSIC
NOVEMBER 2–4
• Ludovic Morlot, conductor
• Augustin Hadelich, violin
• San Francisco Symphony
BETSY JOLAS Latest [SF Symphony Commission and U.S. Premiere]
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Violin Concerto
MODEST MUSSORGSKY (arr. MAURICE RAVEL) Pictures at an Exhibition
San Francisco Symphony
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
NOVEMBER 4
Join us for a celebration of Latin American music and culture including lobby installations by local artists. Conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya with vocalist Edna Vazquez and Casa Círculo Cultural, the dynamic concert program features traditional music with contemporary works honoring the rich heritage of this ancient holiday. The event is curated by longtime collaborator Martha Rodríguez-Salazar.
When you want BUCKET-LIST brilliance!…
GREAT PERFORMERS SERIES BATIASHVILI/CAPUÇON/ THIBAUDET
OCTOBER 15
• Lisa Batiashvili, violin
• Gautier Capuçon, cello
• Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
JOSEPH HAYDN Piano Trio No. 44 in E major, Hob. XV/28
MAURICE RAVEL Piano Trio
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Piano Trio No. 2
Photo of Daniil Trifonov by Dario Acosta
GREAT PERFORMERS SERIES PIANO RECITAL WITH DANIIL TRIFONOV
NOVEMBER 19
• Daniil Trifonov, piano
JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU Suite in A minor, RCT 5
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major, K.332
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Variations sérieuses
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Opus 106, Hammerklavier
Photo of Audra McDonald by Autumn de Wilde
AUDRA MCDONALD AND THE SF SYMPHONY
NOVEMBER 29
• Andy Einhorn, conductor
• Audra McDonald, vocalist
• San Francisco Symphony
Acclaimed vocalist, actor, Grammy-winner, and record-breaking six-time Tony-winner Audra McDonald joins the San Francisco Symphony for a performance showing off her stratospheric talents. Experience this Broadway luminary’s incomparable gift for dramatic storytelling in a must-see musical event.
When You Want Some Fa La La…
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 1
• Sarah Hicks, conductor
• San Francisco Symphony
Watch Jack Skellington plot to take over Christmas in Tim Burton’s fantastical tale The Nightmare Before Christmas. This beloved stop-motion cult hit comes to life like never before as the SF Symphony performs Danny Elfman’s delightfully quirky score live with the film on the big screen. (Rated PG)
DECK THE HALL
DECEMBER 3
• Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, conductor
• San Francisco Ballet Training Program
• Young Women’s Choral Projects of San Francisco
• San Francisco Boys Chorus
• San Francisco Symphony
It’s never too early to plan a holiday tradition— let Deck the Hall be yours! Treat your family to a concert of holiday favorites and sing-alongs led by conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser with members of the SF Symphony, guest artists, and beloved costumed characters.
CIRQUE NUTCRACKER
DECEMBER 5-6
• Ming Luke, conductor
• Troupe Vertigo
• San Francisco Symphony
Troupe Vertigo’s spellbinding performances delight the imagination through stunning physical feats choreographed into works of art. Experience their innovative mix of circus-dance-theater in a program with the San Francisco Symphony.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
DECEMBER 8-9
• Jonathan Cohen, conductor
• Heidi Stober, soprano
• Jennifer Johnson Cano, mezzo-soprano
• Nicholas Phan, tenor
• Michael Sumuel, bass
• San Francisco Symphony Chorus
• San Francisco Symphony
George Frideric Handel’s Messiah was an instant classic soon after its 1742 premiere and has been a holiday tradition around the world ever since. Through a dramatic series of arias, recitatives, and choruses, Handel offers a musical meditation on Christ’s birth, life, and resurrection—and his message of redemption. Jonathan Cohen leads the SF Symphony and Chorus in this perennial favorite.
PETER AND THE WOLF WITH THE SF SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
DECEMBER 10
• Daniel Stewart, conductor – Wattis Foundation Music Director
• SF Symphony Youth Orchestra
Sergei Prokofiev’s timeless tale of a boy and his animal friends’ bravery is brought to life with a guest narrator! Join the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra for this and other seasonal and holiday favorites.
A MERRY-ACHI CHRISTMAS
DECEMBER 10
Led by the incomparable José Hernández, Mariachi Sol de Mexico® returns to Davies Symphony Hall for a festive musical tribute to Mexico’s Christmas traditions. Experience a multicultural celebration as the ensemble sings and plays holiday favorites from both Mexico and America in a vibrant performance you won’t want to miss.
THE COLORS OF CHRISTMAS
DECEMBER 13-14
• Peabo Bryson, vocalist
• Oleta Adams, vocalist
• Ruben Studdard, vocalist
• Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
• Terrance Kelly, director
• San Francisco Symphony
The Colors of Christmas follows up on its smashing return last season with a program featuring legendary artists including Peabo Bryson and Ruben Studdard in a spectacular program of Christmas standards and greatest hits with the San Francisco Symphony.
HOLIDAY GAIETY
DECEMBER 15
• Edwin Outwater, conductor
• Peaches Christ, co-emcee
• Nikola Printz, mezzo-soprano
• Sister Roma, drag performer
• Dylan Mulvaney, vocalist
• San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
• San Francisco Symphony Plus special surprise guests
’Tis the season to be merry and gay! Co-emceed by conductor Edwin Outwater and drag sensation Peaches Christ, this adult-themed holiday variety show guarantees an evening of festive fun and fabulous flair. Hear holiday hits played by the San Francisco Symphony and be regaled by a star-studded lineup of iconic guests, delectable vocalists, and drag queens galore!
LOVE ACTUALLY FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
DECEMBER 16
• Thiago Tiberio, conductor
• San Francisco Symphony
Funny, irresistible, and heartwarming, Love Actually is set in contemporary London in the weeks before Christmas and tells one story that weaves together a spectacular amount of love stories—sometimes romantic, sometimes sad, sometimes stupid—all funny in their own way. (Rated R) Love Actually is a copyright of WT Venture LLC. Licensed by Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS—LIVE!
DECEMBER 20-23
• Lawrence Loh, conductor
• San Francisco Symphony Chorus
• San Francisco Symphony
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang are back at Davies Symphony Hall to bring this television classic to life! With live actors, an animated backdrop, and Vince Guaraldi’s timeless music performed live by the San Francisco Symphony, this is a holiday treasure you won’t want to miss.
HOLIDAY BRASS
DECEMBER 21
• Edwin Outwater, conductor
• Members of the San Francisco Symphony
Feel the power and precision of the SF Symphony brass section as they fill Davies Symphony Hall with a festive mix of classical and popular holiday favorites.
HOME ALONE FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
DECEMBER 22-23
• Joshua Gersen, conductor
• Ragazzi Boys Chorus
• San Francisco Symphony
See the beloved holiday hit Home Alone on the big screen like you never have before, with John Williams’ exuberant score performed live by the San Francisco Symphony. The highest-grossing holiday film of all time, and starring an adorable Macaulay Culkin, this hilarious and heartwarming comedy is holiday fun for the entire family. (Rated PG) © 1990 Twentieth Century Fox
