Davies Symphony Hall
Organ Concerts at Davies Symphony Hall
Join internationally celebrated organists as they demonstrate the versatility of the San Francisco Symphony's magnificent 8,264 Ruffatti organ, the largest concert-hall organ in North America.
Award-winning American organist Paul Jacobs, chair of the organ department of the Juilliard School, is master of the organ marathon. He has played the complete organ works of J.S. Bach in eighteen straight hours. He once toured eight cities, playing all the organ works of Olivier Messiaen in nine straight hours at each stop. Latvian organist Iveta Apkalna strives to bring organ repertoire out of traditional settings, performing concerts in all kinds of venues, all over the world. She makes her US debut with the San Francisco Symphony. Cameron Carpenter is intent on bringing the organ into the twenty-first century. He plays traditional repertoire as well as music from film scores, jazz, and disco. His efforts have stirred hearts—and controversy. For an exhilerating Halloween experience, witness F.W. Murnau's Nosfertu as it was meant to be seen and heard: with live organ accompaniment by Dennis James.
Events
Nosferatu On-Screen with Live Organ Accompaniment
Saturday, Oct 31 8pm
 Nosferatu
|
|
Celebrate Halloween with one of early film’s great masterpieces, Nosferatu (1922) directed by F.W. Murnau, which tells the eerie tale of the vampire Count Orlok. A re-imagining of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the film is dark and mysterious. Experience this movie as it was meant to be seen and heard: with live accompaniment. Dennis James plays the San Francisco Symphony’s incomparable 8,264-pipe Ruffatti organ.
LEARN MORE
|
Holiday Pipe Dreams
Sunday, Dec 13 7pm
 David Higgs
|
|
Listen to and sing along to traditional carols as David Higgs heralds the joy of the season on the San Francisco Symphony’s magnificent 8,264-pipe Ruffatti organ with a mix of holiday music and classical organ works. This popular concert returns as a San Francisco Symphony holiday favorite.
LEARN MORE
|
Paul Jacobs
Sunday, January 17 6pm
 Paul Jacobs
|
|
This award-winning American organist captivates his audience with his brilliant skill and technique. He returns to Davies Symphony Hall after his successful debut in April 2009.
“. . . Jacob’s mastery of the organ’s scope resulted in a sleek, sure-footed performance.” –San Francisco Chronicle
LEARN MORE
|
Iveta Apkalna (US debut)
Sunday, March 28 6pm
 Iveta Apkalna
|
|
Witness the US debut of Latvian organist Iveta Apkalna, an accomplished young talent noted for bringing organ repertoire out of traditional settings.
LEARN MORE
|
Cameron Carpenter
Sunday, May 2 6pm
 Cameron Carpenter
|
|
Juilliard-trained and Grammy®-nominated organist Cameron Carpenter mixes musicianship with showmanship for an unforgettable performance of traditional repertoire as well as music from film scores, jazz, and disco. His efforts have stirred hearts—and controversy.
“Not your Grandma’s organist . . . [Carpenter is] quickly achieving world-wide acclaim for technical gifts . . . [His] masterly playing [is] alternatingly dazzling and subtle, and always fired by a profound musical intelligence.” —The Wall Street Journal
LEARN MORE
|