Press Room

EUN SUN KIM CONDUCTS THE NATIONAL BRASS ENSEMBLE AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, JUNE 20, 2022
 
National Brass Ensemble is composed of musicians from top orchestras across the United States, including the San Francisco Symphony

Performance features world premieres of new works by Jonathan Bingham and Arturo Sandoval, Richard Strauss’s Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare, and a new compilation arrangement of music from Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle by SF Symphony Principal Trombone Timothy Higgins

Tickets on sale now at sfsymphony.org/NBE

ESA-PEKKA SALONEN, DIRECTOR PETER SELLARS, AND THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY PRESENT NEW STAGED PRODUCTION OF IGOR STRAVINSKY’S OEDIPUS REX AND SYMPHONY OF PSALMS, JUNE 10–12, 2022

Oedipus rex features tenor Sean Panikkar (Oedipus rex); mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges (Jocasta), bass-baritone Sir Willard White (Creon/Messenger/Tiresias), tenor Jose Simerilla Romero (Shepherd), actor Breezy Leigh (Antigone), dancer Laurel Jenkins, and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus
 
Performances mark first collaboration in new four-year partnership with acclaimed director Peter Sellars

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AND ESA-PEKKA SALONEN RELEASE STRAVINSKY: THE SOLDIER’S TALE, A NEW HOUR-LONG THEATRICAL CONCERT FILM, AVAILABLE ON SFSYMPHONY+ BEGINNING JUNE 1, 2022
 
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale was conceived and directed by acclaimed British director, designer, and video artist Netia Jones, as a new work of digital music theater

The Soldier’s Tale is conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen and features seven San Francisco Symphony musicians, actor Bruce Davison, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet dancer Adji Cissoko

ALL SFSYMPHONY+ CONTENT IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIA SFSYMPHONYPLUS.ORG OR VIA SFSYMPHONY+ APP

Press interested in an advance copy of Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale can email [email protected]  

CONDUCTOR BERNARD LABADIE REPLACES TON KOOPMAN IN SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, MAY 20–22

Labadie leads the Orchestra in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Serenade No. 6, Serenata notturna and Symphony No. 36, Linz, and Franz Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 103, which replaces Haydn’s Symphony No. 80 

Due to difficulties with his visa for entry into the United States, conductor Ton Koopman regretfully withdraws from this program

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES SUMMER SEASON WITH CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL AND OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES AT FROST AMPHITHEATER, SHORELINE AMPHITHEATRE, AND SIGMUND STERN GROVE, JUNE 29–AUGUST 7, 2022  

Conductors Paolo Bortolameolli, Ludovic Morlot, and Erina Yashima lead classical programs at Davies Symphony Hall with performances by pianist Inon Barnatan, cellist Johannes Moser, and string trio Time for Three 

Teddy Abrams conducts Mason Bates’ Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of the Orchestra 

Special guest performances by actress and singer Jessica Vosk in Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration; singer Isabel Marie Sánchez in a program dedicated to the music of Selena; the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus in Final Words; Broadway sensation Bernadette Peters; The Airborne Toxic Event; and Pink Martini 

Summer film concerts include The Matrix Live, Pixar in Concert, and The Goonies 

Edwin Outwater conducts the San Francisco Symphony in the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Shoreline Amphitheatre 

San Francisco Symphony performs four Friday night concerts at Frost Amphitheater, presented by Stanford Live, July 8–29 

San Francisco Symphony performs a free concert at Sigmund Stern Grove with Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser conducting, July 31 

Tickets on sale now for The Matrix Live—Film with Live Orchestra, Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration, Final Words: SF Gay Men’s Chorus & the SF Symphony, and The Airborne Toxic Event, and all concerts at Frost Amphitheater 

Tickets for all other summer concerts on sale April 29 at 10am via sfsymphony.org/summer 

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY COLLABORATIVE PARTNER JULIA BULLOCK BRINGS HISTORY’S PERSISTENT VOICE TO DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL FOR A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY PERFORMANCE WITH MEMBERS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY, MAY 17, 2022

History’s Persistent Voice is conducted by Christian Reif and features video installations by artist Hana S. Kim

GUEST CONDUCTORS KARINA CANELLAKIS, TON KOOPMAN, RUTH REINHARDT, NATHALIE STUTZMANN, AND XIAN ZHANG LEAD THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY IN CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, MAY–JUNE 2022 

May 6, 7 & 8 concerts are conducted by Xian Zhang in her Orchestral Series debut and include Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World, and SF Symphony premieres of Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s Primal Message and Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement performed by pianist Aaron Diehl, who also makes his Orchestral Series debut 

May 13–15 concerts are conducted by Karina Canellakis and include Richard Strauss’ Don Quixote featuring cellist Alisa Weilerstein, the SF Symphony premiere of Lili Boulanger’s D’un soir triste, and Witold Lutosławski’s Concerto for Orchestra

May 20–22 concerts feature Ton Koopman leading the Orchestra in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Serenade No. 6, Serenata notturna and Symphony No. 36, Linz, plus the SF Symphony premiere of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 80

May 26–28 concerts are conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann in her Orchestral Series debut, featuring the SF Symphony and Chorus in Johannes Brahms’ Gesang der Parzen, Schicksalslied, and Nänie; and Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6  

June 2–5 concerts are conducted by Ruth Reinhardt in her Orchestral Series debut and feature pianist Daniil Trifonov performing the West Coast premiere of Mason Bates' Piano Concerto—an SF Symphony co-commission; the SF Symphony premiere of Lotta Wennäkoski’s Helsinki Variations; and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 5

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AND ESA-PEKKA SALONEN ANNOUNCE 2022–23 SEASON
 
Esa-Pekka Salonen leads 15 weeks of programming in the Bay Area and abroad in his third season as San Francisco Symphony Music Director

GUEST CONDUCTORS GIANCARLO GUERRERO, GUSTAVO DUDAMEL, AND KLAUS MÄKELÄ LEAD THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY IN CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL IN APRIL 2022 

April 7–9 concerts are conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero in his Orchestral Series debut and include the world premiere of John Corigliano’s Triathlon, Concerto for Saxophonist and Orchestra performed by saxophonist Timothy McAllister in his Orchestral Series debut; the SF Symphony premiere of Astor Piazzolla’s Sinfonía Buenos Aires featuring bandoneón player Daniel Binelli, also making his Orchestral Series debut; and SF Symphony premieres of Antonio Estévez’ Mediodía en el Llano and Adolphus Hailstork’s An American Port of Call

April 21–24 concerts feature Gustavo Dudamel conducting the SF Symphony in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 38, Prague and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5

April 28–30 concerts are conducted by Klaus Mäkelä in his Orchestral Series debut and include the SF Symphony premiere of Jimmy López Bellido’s Perú Negro, along with Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, and Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto featuring Vilde Frang

BOYZ II MEN PERFORM WITH SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AND CONDUCTOR EDWIN OUTWATER, APRIL 1 & 2, 2022

Tickets for Boyz II Men with the SF Symphony are on sale now at sfsymphony.org

DANIEL BARTHOLOMEW-POYSER LEADS TEEN NIGHT AT THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY, MARCH 26, 2022

Bay Area musician, composer, educator, and activist Kev Choice joins Bartholomew-Poyser and the Orchestra to perform his composition Movements

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S SPOTLIGHT SERIES HIGHLIGHTS ASCENDANT ARTISTS THROUGH FOUR DEBUT RECITALS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, MARCH–JUNE 2022  

March 23, pianist Drew Petersen presents a solo recital performing Maurice Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit, Selected Études by Frédéric Chopin, and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Sonata No. 2

April 13, violinist Randall Goosby is joined by pianist Zhu Wang for a program of Antonín Dvořák’s Sonatina for Violin and Piano, William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin and Piano, and Edvard Grieg’s Violin Sonata No. 3

April 20, violinist Noa Wildschut and pianist Elizabeth Brauß perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Violin Sonata in E minor, K.304 (K300c), Maurice Ravel’s Violin Sonata No. 2, Joey Roukens’ Sarasvati, and Four Souvenirs for Violin and Piano by Paul Schoenfield

June 1, saxophonist Steven Banks is joined by pianist Xak Bjerken for a program including Paul Creston’s Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, Johannes Brahms’ Sonata in F minor, Op. 120, no.1 (arranged for saxophone), and Banks’ own composition, Come As You Are

MUSIC DIRECTOR ESA-PEKKA SALONEN CONDUCTS THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY IN THREE WEEKS OF CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, FEBRUARY 24–MARCH 12

February 24, 26 & 27 concerts feature Ludwig van Beethoven’s Creatures of Prometheus with actor Keith David as narrator and original animated projections by Hillary Leben

March 3–5 concerts feature Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, the world premiere of Fang Man’s Song of the Flaming Phoenix (火凤凰的笙音) with sheng virtuoso Wu Wei, and Alexander Scriabin’s The Poem of Ecstasy

March 10–12 concerts include the SF Symphony premiere of Elizabeth Ogonek’s Sleep & Unremembrance and Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Violin Concerto,
featuring Leila Josefowicz

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S 2021–22 MUSIC FOR FAMILIES SERIES KICKS OFF FEBRUARY 19 WITH “MUSIC AROUND THE WORLD—PERCUSSION” CONDUCTED BY DANIEL BARTHOLOMEW-POYSER

Music for Families continues on April 9 with “The Planets” featuring the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra conducted by Daniel Stewart and concludes on May 7 with “Superheroes” featuring Akiko Fujimoto conducting the San Francisco Symphony

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY FEBRUARY 25–26 SOUNDBOX CONCERTS CURATED BY PEKKA KUUSISTO AND JESPER NORDIN CANCELED

Pekka Kuusisto has withdrawn from the SoundBox concert due to the serious ill health of an immediate family member; the concert will be rescheduled for a future season

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY RELEASES NEW EDUCATIONAL VIDEO—MUSICAL HEROES: STORIES OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMPOSERS—EXPLORING THE HISTORY, WORK, AND IMPACT OF FLORENCE PRICE, WILLIAM GRANT STILL, AND GEORGE WALKER
 
Hosted by SF Symphony Resident Conductor of Engagement and Education Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, Musical Heroes is a free online resource intended for middle and high school-aged students and available to schools everywhere
 
Educational resource includes hour-long video highlighted by musical performances featuring SF Symphony musicians, along with teacher resources and classroom guides
 
View Musical Heroes: Stories of African-American Composers here

CONDUCTOR PERRY SO MAKES HIS ORCHESTRAL SERIES DEBUT LEADING THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, FEBRUARY 11 & 12, 2022

Program features five San Francisco Symphony premieres, including works by Texu Kim, Younghi Pagh-Paan, Takashi Yoshimatsu, Zhou Long, and Lou Harrison

Pipa virtuoso Wu Man makes her Orchestral Series Debut performing Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Pipa and String Orchestra

SAXOPHONIST STEVEN BANKS PERFORMS SPOTLIGHT SERIES RECITAL AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, JUNE 1, 2022

Banks replaces cellist Ifetayo Ali-Landing, who has had to withdraw from her recital on June 1

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY PRESENTS LUNAR NEW YEAR: YEAR OF THE TIGER FEBRUARY 5, 2022 AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL

Conductor Yue Bao makes her debut leading the Orchestra in traditional folk music and works by Asian composers including Huan-zhi Li, Chen Gang and He Zhanhao, Huang Ruo, Tan Dun, Texu Kim, Tyzen Hsiao, and Liu Yuan
 
Concert features soloists including violinist Bomsori and SF Symphony Assistant Principal Cello Amos Yang

CONDUCTOR LAUREATE HERBERT BLOMSTEDT LEADS THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, FEBRUARY 3, 4 & 6, 2022

Program includes Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES UPDATED SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL 

Beginning Thursday, January 20, the SF Symphony will require that all patrons wear N95, KN95, or equivalent face masks while inside Davies Symphony Hall

MEZZO-SOPRANO SASHA COOKE RETURNS TO DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL FOR HOW DO I FIND YOU, A PERFORMANCE OF 17 WORLD PREMIERES WRITTEN FOR HER DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, JANUARY 30, 2022

To be released as an album via Pentatone on January 28, how do I find you features new songs by Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly, Caroline Shaw, Joel Thompson, and 13 more composers

A Roundtable discussion with seven of the project’s composers and librettists
follows the performance

VIOLINIST ITZHAK PERLMAN’S JANUARY 16, 2022 GREAT PERFORMERS SERIES CONCERT AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 18, 2022

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY PROGRAMMING UPDATE FOR MARCH 3–5 CONCERTS WITH ESA-PEKKA SALONEN, WU WEI, AND JEAN-YVES THIBAUDET

Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Scriabin’s The Poem of Ecstasy replace music from Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Castor and Pollux and Scriabin’s Prometheus, The Poem of Fire

LIGETI: PARADIGMS, A NEW SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY DIGITAL PROGRAM COMBINING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND SPATIAL AUDIO WITH THE MUSIC OF GYÖRGY LIGETI, AVAILABLE ON SFSYMPHONY+ BEGINNING JANUARY 18, 2022
 
Conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, LIGETI: PARADIGMS features the SF Symphony and Chorus in performances of Lux Aeterna, Ramifications, and Clocks and Clouds
 
In partnership with media artist Refik Anadol, Dolby Laboratories, and SF Symphony Collaborative Partner Carol Reiley, LIGETI: PARADIGMS pairs imagery generated by open-sourced AI algorithms interpreting Ligeti’s source music with SF Symphony and Chorus performances
 
ALL SFSYMPHONY+ CONTENT IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIA SFSYMPHONYPLUS.ORG OR VIA SFSYMPHONY+ APP 

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES UPDATED SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL

Beginning February 1, 2022, San Francisco Symphony to require all eligible patrons, staff, and performers to show proof of COVID-19 booster, for entrance into Davies Symphony Hall

CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH CONDUCTS THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, JANUARY 13–15, 2022

Program includes the SF Symphony premiere of Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s Overture in C major, Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 featuring pianist Jan Lisiecki

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY RELEASES DECK THE HALL AT THE DRIVE-IN ON SFSYMPHONY+, DECEMBER 20, 2021
 
Available for free on-demand viewing via sfsymphonyplus.org
 
Digital program is hosted by SF Symphony Resident Conductor of Engagement and Education Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser with performances by SF Symphony musicians and special guests

THREE CONDUCTORS MAKE THEIR SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAL SERIES DEBUTS IN PROGRAM HONORING LATE OAKLAND SYMPHONY MUSIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL MORGAN, FEBRUARY 17–19, 2022

Conductors Earl Lee, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, and Akiko Fujimoto will lead the eclectic program, which Morgan planned and was scheduled to conduct

VOCALIST SHELÉA REPLACES YOLANDA ADAMS IN SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S HOLIDAY SOUL PERFORMANCE, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

SAN FRANCISCO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC AND SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCE CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR SECOND ANNUAL EMERGING BLACK COMPOSERS PROJECT

This year’s competition looks to further identify and promote inventive Black musicians and will focus on talent under age 35; applications are due by February 14, 2022

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES TWO CHANGES TO ORCHESTRA ROSTER

Principal Harp Douglas Rioth retires at end of 2021 calendar year

Associate Concertmaster Nadya Tichman continues her tenure with the San Francisco Symphony as revolving member of the 1st Violin section beginning in 2022–23 season

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S SFS MEDIA RECORDINGS NOMINATED FOR TWO 2022 GRAMMY AWARDS
 
BEST CLASSICAL COMPENDIUM FOR ALBAN BERG: VIOLIN CONCERTO, SEVEN EARLY SONGS, & THREE PIECES FOR ORCHESTRA
 
BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE FOR NICO MUHLY’S THROUGHLINE

SIMONE YOUNG CONDUCTS THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, DECEMBER 2–4, 2021

Concerts include Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Edward Elgar’s Violin Concerto featuring violinist Christian Tetzlaff

ARNIE ROTH CONDUCTS THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY IN DISTANT WORLDS: MUSIC FROM FINAL FANTASY, APRIL 15–16, 2022

Program features music by composer Nobuo Uematsu and others performed live while video from game series FINAL FANTASY is projected onto a large screen above the stage

Tickets on sale now at sfsymphony.org

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND WATTIS FOUNDATION MUSIC DIRECTOR DANIEL STEWART PERFORM FIVE CONCERTS IN THE 2021–22 SEASON

November 21 season-opening concert includes Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst, Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World, and features SFSYO Concerto Competition winner Shun Lopez performing Hristo Yotsov’s Concerto for Drum Set and Symphony Orchestra

Other 2021–22 season SFSYO performances include annual holiday performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf on December 12, a Music for Families program on April 9, and two additional concerts March 6 and May 29

LUDOVIC MORLOT JOINS MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS TO CONDUCT THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY NOVEMBER 18–20

Morlot conducts Tim Higgins’ Trombone Concerto and Maurice Ravel’s Ma Mère l’Oye (Mother Goose) Suite (replacing William Grant Still’s Patterns); Tilson Thomas conducts Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring

MUSIC DIRECTOR LAUREATE MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS CONDUCTS THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY IN TWO CONCERT PROGRAMS at davies symphony hall IN NOVEMBER 2021

November 12–14 concerts include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Three German Dances, K.509, Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 1, Spring, and Michael Tilson Thomas’ Notturno featuring flutist Demarre McGill in his Orchestral Series debut

November 18–20 concerts feature the world premiere of SF Symphony Principal Trombone Timothy Higgins’ Trombone Concerto—an SF Symphony commission, the SF Symphony premiere of William Grant Still’s Patterns, and Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY CELEBRATES DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS WITH CONCERT EVENT, LOBBY ART, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, AND FIESTA DINNER EXPERIENCE, NOVEMBER 6 AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL

Concert features Enluis Montes Olivar conducting the San Francisco Symphony in music by Arturo Márquez, Astor Piazzolla, Inocente Carreño, José Pablo Moncayo García, and Carlos Chávez, plus vocalist Flor Amargo ‘La Reina del Barrio’ performing her own songs

Local artists, community groups, and Latin American cultural partners join the SF Symphony to celebrate Día de los Muertos through lobby art installations and pre-concert activities

VIP ¡FIESTA! Packages include a post-concert auction, cocktail reception, and seated dinner

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY CONCERT SEASON, DECEMBER 5—31, 2021
 
Special guest performers include Mariachi Sol de México® de José Hernández in A Merry-Achi Christmas; Sheléa and the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir in Holiday Soul; John Mauceri and Alan Cumming in The Nutcracker & The Mouse King; Capathia Jenkins and Tony DeSare in A Cool Yule Christmas—Holiday Favorites of Frank & Ella; and Peaches Christ, Coco Peru, Thorgy Thor, Jamie Barton, Alex Newell, Jimmie Herrod, and Fou Fou Ha! in Holiday Gaiety
 
The SF Symphony performs live accompaniment to iconic holiday films Love Actually and Home Alone
 
Traditional Christmas music performed by the SF Symphony and Chorus includes Handel’s Messiah and Holiday Brass
 
The SF Symphony Youth Orchestra performs Peter and the Wolf with guest narrator Vella Lovell
 
Darren Criss joins the San Francisco Symphony for a special New Year’s Eve Event
 
Tickets for holiday concerts available now at sfsymphony.org/holiday

MUSIC DIRECTOR ESA-PEKKA SALONEN CONDUCTS THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY IN FOUR CONCERT PROGRAMS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL IN OCTOBER 2021
 
October 7–9 concerts feature the U.S. Premiere of Hannah Kendall’s Tuxedo: Vasco ‘de’ Gama, the San Francisco Symphony Premiere of Unsuk Chin’s Graffiti, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7
 
October 14–17 concerts include Claude Debussy’s Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune and La Mer, the San Francisco Symphony Premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s Aile du songe featuring flutist and Collaborative Partner Claire Chase, and Olivier Messiaen’s Oiseaux exotiques performed by pianist Jeremy Denk
 
October 21–23 concerts feature the U.S. Premiere of Collaborative Partner Bryce Dessner’s Violin Concerto, co-commissioned by the SF Symphony and performed by violinist and Collaborative Partner Pekka Kuusisto, Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 5, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 2
 
October 28–30 concerts feature the San Francisco Symphony Premiere of Anders Hillborg’s Kongsgaard Variations, Richard Strauss’ Sonatina No. 2 in E-flat, Fröhliche Werkstatt (Happy Workshop), and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 performed by pianist Yefim Bronfman

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S SFSYMPHONY+ STREAMING SERVICE
RELEASES NEW SEASON OF FREE CONTENT BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
 
Esa-Pekka Salonen leads two signature digital projects in the 2021-22 season—LIGETI: PARADIGMS, created with media artist Refik Anadol and SF Symphony Collaborative Partner Carol Reiley, and a new staged production of Igor Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale, directed by Netia Jones
 
New digital programs released today include SoundBox: Delirium, curated by Jeremy Denk; CURRENTS: Niji 虹 (Rainbow), curated by Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto; and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 3, Rhenish, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen
 
SFSymphony+ also to feature a variety of orchestral performances and chamber music with SF Symphony musicians and guest artists throughout the season
 
ALL SFSYMPHONY+ CONTENT NOW AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIA SFSYMPHONYPLUS.ORG
OR VIA SFSYMPHONY+ APP

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY APPOINTS DANIEL BARTHOLOMEW-POYSER AS RESIDENT CONDUCTOR OF ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION
 
KYLE DICKSON, MOLLY TURNER, AND ROSS JAMIE COLLINS JOIN SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY CONDUCTING STAFF IN AN EXTENSION OF THEIR WORK AS SALONEN FELLOWS IN THE COLBURN SCHOOL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC’S NEGAUNEE CONDUCTING PROGRAM

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S 2021–22 FILM SERIES KICKS OFF WITH SCREENINGS OF ROB REINER’S THE PRINCESS BRIDE AND RON HOWARD’S APOLLO 13, SEPTEMBER 22–23 & 24–25, PERFORMED LIVE TO PICTURE
 
Tickets for all performances on sale NOW at sfsymphony.org
 
2021–22 SEASON FILM PROGRAMMING ALSO INCLUDES RICHARD CURTIS’ LOVE ACTUALLY, CHRIS COLUMBUS’ HOME ALONE, ROBERT ZEMECKIS’ BACK TO THE FUTURE, SAM MENDES’ SKYFALL, DISNEY AND PIXAR’S TOY STORY IN CONCERT, AND THE WACHOWSKIS’ THE MATRIX
 
SPECIAL FILM PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE BUSTER KEATON’S THE GENERAL FEATURING ORGANIST CAMERON CARPENTER AND GET HAPPY: A JUDY GARLAND CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

MUSIC DIRECTOR ESA-PEKKA SALONEN AND THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY OPEN 2021–22 SEASON WITH THREE PERFORMANCES FEATURING COLLABORATIVE PARTNER ESPERANZA SPALDING AND ALONZO KING LINES BALLET, SEPTEMBER 30–OCTOBER 2, 2021
 
Re-Opening Night Concert on October 1 is preceded by a complimentary Sparkling Wine Welcome in Davies Symphony Hall and an outdoor After-Party for all ticketholders
 
Re-Opening Night VIP Packages offer an enhanced experience and are available for purchase via sfsymphony.org/ReOpeningNight/vip; proceeds from the event benefit the SF Symphony’s myriad artistic, education, and community programs
 
Re-Opening Night recorded live for Great Performances on PBS; premieres Friday, November 19
 
All San Francisco Concert on September 30 and Orchestral Series Concert on October 2 round out the SF Symphony’s opening week

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY RELEASES DIGITAL AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDINGS OF KEV CHOICE’S MOVEMENTS ON SFS MEDIA SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
 
Movements features Kev Choice, AÏMA the DRMR, and Bay Area musicians alongside members of the San Francisco Symphony
 
Audio recorded in 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution; digital release available for streaming and download via major retailers worldwide on September 24, 2021
 
Learn more at sfsymphony.org/movements

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY RELEASES DIGITAL AUDIO RECORDING OF NICO MUHLY’S THROUGHLINE ON SFS MEDIA AUGUST 27, 2021
 
Throughline features contributions from all eight SF Symphony Collaborative Partners with members of the San Francisco Symphony
 
Audio recorded in 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution; digital release available for streaming and download via major retailers worldwide
 
Available now at sfsymphony.org/nicomuhly 

RAGNAR BOHLIN CONCLUDES 14-YEAR TENURE AS SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S CHORUS DIRECTOR

SINGLE TICKETS FOR ALL SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY 2021–22 SEASON CONCERTS ON SALE TUESDAY AUGUST 31, VIA THE BOX OFFICE STARTING AT 8AM AND ONLINE & BY PHONE AT 10AM

Added holiday programming includes Holiday Soul, A Merry-Achi Christmas, Holiday Gaiety, The Nutcracker & The Mouse King, A Cool Yule Christmas, Holiday Brass, and New Year’s Eve with Darren Criss

Other added performances include Best in Brass, Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story—Film with Live Orchestra, SF Symphony Chorus: Carmina burana, and Airborne Toxic Event

Tickets for SF Symphony Chorus: Carmina burana available now; single tickets for all other 2021–22 concerts on sale August 31, 2021 via sfsymphony.org

UPDATED HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION FOR EVERYONE AGES 12 AND UP TO ENTER DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL DURING THE 2021–22 SEASON

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES UPDATED SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL BEGINNING AUGUST 6, 2021

CELLIST JOSHUA ROMAN REPLACES PABLO FERRÁNDEZ IN SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY CONCERTS ON JULY 30 AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL AND JULY 31 AT FROST AMPHITHEATER
 
Conductor and program remain the same

MARK C. HANSON STEPS DOWN AS SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AND ESA-PEKKA SALONEN ANNOUNCE 2021–22 SEASON

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES LIFTED RESTRICTIONS AND UPDATED SAFETY PROTOCOLS BEGINNING JUNE 24, 2021

TREVOR WESTON SELECTED TO RECEIVE FIRST ANNUAL EMERGING BLACK COMPOSERS PROJECT COMMISSION

World premiere of Weston’s new work to be given by Esa-Pekka Salonen and the San Francisco Symphony in Fall 2022
 
Additional commissions awarded to Jonathan Bingham,
Shawn Okpebholo, and Sumi Tonooka

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES SUMMER SEASON WITH CONCERTS IN DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL AND OUTDOOR PERFORMANCES AT SIGMUND STERN GROVE AND FROST AMPHITHEATER, JULY 2–AUGUST 13, 2021

ON JULY 4, THE SF SYMPHONY PERFORMS A FREE CONCERT AT SIGMUND STERN GROVE WITH EDWIN OUTWATER CONDUCTING
 
SF SYMPHONY PERFORMS FIVE SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERTS AT FROST AMPHITHEATER, PRESENTED BY STANFORD LIVE, JULY 10–AUGUST 7
 
Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the SF Symphony in concerts at Davies Symphony Hall on July 9 & 16 and at Frost Amphitheater on July 10 & 17

PROGRAM UPDATES FOR LIVE CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL CONDUCTED BY MUSIC DIRECTOR ESA-PEKKA SALONEN, JUNE 17–JUNE 25, 2021

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMING DETAILS FOR DIGITAL CONTENT ON SFSYMPHONY+ THROUGH THE END OF THE 2020–21 SEASON, WITH NEW RELEASES MAY 27–AUGUST 26, 2021

SoundBox programs curated by Destiny Muhammad, Claire Chase, Nico Muhly, and Jeremy Denk

New episodes of CURRENTS series, exploring Persian classical music and Klezmer musical cultures

Free chamber music performances by members of the San Francisco Symphony

MEMBERSHIPS AND INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS ON SALE NOW AT SFSYMPHONYPLUS.ORG

SFSymphony+ can now be downloaded as an app via the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Firestick, and is available via TV services including Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Chromecast, Roku, and smart TVs

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES ADDED TICKETS AND INCREASED AUDIENCE CAPACITIES FOR LIVE CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, MAY 6–JUNE 25, 2021
 
Programming announced for May 27–June 25 concerts

CHINYAKARE ENSEMBLE CURATES CURRENTS: MAVAMBO ENGOMA, ROOTED IN MUSIC, AVAILABLE MAY 6 ON SFSYMPHONY+

CURRENTS: Mavambo eNgoma, Rooted in Music explores the intersection of classical and Zimbabwean musical cultures, featuring performances by members of the Chinyakare Ensemble and SF Symphony musicians

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES RETURN TO LIVE CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, MAY 6–JUNE 25, 2021
 
Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the SF Symphony in live indoor performances for medical professionals and community partners May 6 & 7; program features Jean Sibelius’ Rakastava, George Walker’s Lyric for Strings, Carl Nielsen’s Little Suite for Strings, Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte, and Edvard Grieg’s From Holberg’s Time Suite

Tickets on sale May 6, 2021 for seven additional concert sets led by Jeremy Denk, James Gaffigan, Ken-David Masur, Joseph Young, Joshua Weilerstein, and Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY MUSIC DIRECTOR ESA-PEKKA SALONEN CURATES SOUNDBOX: PATTERNS, AVAILABLE APRIL 15 ON SFSYMPHONY+

Program features Steve Reich’s Clapping Music, Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel, Terry Riley’s In C, and the world premiere of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Saltat sobrius: Fantasy upon Sederunt príncipes, with performances by Salonen, pianist Elizabeth Dorman, SF Symphony musicians, and LINES Ballet dancers Adji Cissoko and Shuaib Elhassan

 SFSymphony+ can now be downloaded as an app via the Apple App Store and Google Play, and is available via TV services including Chromecast and smart TVs

JEROD IMPICHCHAACHAAHA' TATE CURATES CURRENTS: THUNDER SONG, AVAILABLE APRIL 1 ON  SFSYMPHONY+

CURRENTS: Thunder Song explores the intersection of American Indian and classical musical cultures, featuring music by Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, Louis W. Ballard, Rochelle Chester, and from the Pomo tradition
 
Performers include Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, Elders Thomas Leon Brown aka Machuchuk and Ron Montez from the Pomo Elem Indian Colony, and members of the San Francisco Symphony

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS AND THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY WIN 2021 GRAMMY® AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OF BEST CLASSICAL COMPENDIUM FOR THEIR LIVE CONCERT RECORDING OF TILSON THOMAS’ FROM THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK & MEDITATIONS ON RILKE
 
Recording on SF Symphony’s in-house label SFS Media

SOUNDBOX: LINEAGE, CURATED BY COLLABORATIVE PARTNER JULIA BULLOCK AVAILABLE NOW ON  SFSYMPHONY+

Program includes music by J.S. Bach, Hildegard von Bingen, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Francis Poulenc, Ricky Ian Gordon, Elizabeth Ogonek, Aruán Ortiz, Nina Simone, Esperanza Spalding, and George Walker

SoundBox: Lineage features performances by classical singer Julia Bullock; soprano Natalia Salemmo; mezzo-soprano Silvie Jensen; violinist Benjamin Beilman; pianists Sarah Cahill, Marc Shapiro, and John Wilson; conductor Daniel Stewart; and members of the SF Symphony and Chorus

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY PARTNERS WITH POST:BALLET TO PRESENT PLAYING CHANGES, AVAILABLE FREE BEGINNING MARCH 4 ON SFSYMPHONY+

San Francisco contemporary dance company Post:ballet and San Francisco Symphony violinist Helen Kim bring to life seven interdisciplinary works for solo violin and dance
 
Performance features music by Samuel Adams, Philip Glass, Daniel Bernard Roumain, and LJ White; and world premieres of new works by Ambrose Akinmusire, Mary Kouyoumdjian, and Elizabeth Ogonek

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS AND THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY RELEASE ALBAN BERG: VIOLIN CONCERTO, SEVEN EARLY SONGS, & THREE PIECES FOR ORCHESTRA ON SFS MEDIA FEBRUARY 26, 2021
 
Gil Shaham performs Berg's Violin Concerto and soprano Susanna Phillips is soloist in Berg's Seven Early Songs

Album recorded in 24-bit/192hHz high-resolution; available in 5.1 surround-capable SACD and for download and streaming via major retailers worldwide
 
Available for pre-order now at sfsymphony.org/berg

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY PRESENTS ANNUAL CHINESE NEW YEAR VIRTUAL CELEBRATION: YEAR OF THE OX, FEBRUARY 20, 2021
 
Program available for free streaming on SFSymphony+ and broadcast locally on NBC Bay Area February 20 at 4pm PST; rebroadcast February 27 at 4pm on NBC Bay Area and KTSF 26 on February 21 & 27 at 3:30pm

Event hosted by Joan Chen; features conductor Ming Luke, erhu player Tao Shi, yangqin player Wenying Wu, pianist Samantha Cho, and members of the San Francisco Symphony

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AND MUSIC DIRECTOR ESA-PEKKA SALONEN LAUNCH NEW ON-DEMAND STREAMING SERVICE SFSYMPHONY+, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

FEBRUARY—AUGUST 2021 DIGITAL PROGRAMMING INCLUDES:
 
Digital SoundBox series with three programs curated by Esa-Pekka Salonen; additional programs curated by Julia Bullock, Destiny Muhammad, Nico Muhly, and Claire Chase
 
New episodes of CURRENTS series, exploring Indian Classical, American Indian, Zimbabwean, Persian, and Klezmer musical cultures
 
Free Chinese New Year Virtual Celebration: Year of the Ox

Free chamber music performances by members of the San Francisco Symphony
 
MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE NOW AT SFSYMPHONYPLUS.ORG

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY MUSIC DIRECTOR ESA-PEKKA SALONEN AWARDED HONORARY KNIGHTHOOD

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY FORMER PRINCIPAL KEYBOARDS OF 46 YEARS ROBIN SUTHERLAND PASSES AWAY

SAKURAKO FISHER CONCLUDES 8-YEAR TENURE AS PRESIDENT OF THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY
 
PRISCILLA B. GEESLIN ELECTED 18TH PRESIDENT OF THE SF SYMPHONY

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S SFS MEDIA RECORDINGS NOMINATED FOR TWO 2021 GRAMMY AWARDS
 
BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE FOR COPLAND SYMPHONY NO. 3 AND
BEST CLASSICAL COMPENDIUM FOR MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS’ OWN FROM THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK & MEDITATIONS ON RILKE

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF ALL PREVIOUSLY PLANNED LIVE CONCERTS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2021

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AND MUSIC DIRECTOR ESA-PEKKA SALONEN PRESENT THROUGHLINE: SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY—FROM HALL TO HOME, NOVEMBER 14 

Concert program features world premiere of Throughline, a new SF Symphony commission composed by Nico Muhly with performances by Esa-Pekka Salonen, all eight Collaborative Partners, and the San Francisco Symphony 

Event to stream free at sfsymphony.org and broadcast locally on KQED Public Television at 7pm PST 

. . .  

Family-friendly Día de los Muertos and Deck the Hall programs to broadcast locally on NBC Bay Area and Telemundo 48 and stream free at sfsymphony.org 

Live 1:1 Concerts expand to multiple weekly performance sets at Davies Symphony Hall terraces  

CURRENTS Episodes I—IV to broadcast on NBC Bay Area / Telemundo 48

AMERICAN MASTERS DOCUMENTARY MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS: WHERE NOW IS PREMIERES NATIONWIDE, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 AT 6 P.M. PACIFIC TIME (check local listings)

Watch on PBS, pbs.org/americanmasters, and the PBS Video app

Live album and video captured September 6 & 8, 2019 at San Francisco’s Chase Center  
 
Available now via metallica.com/sm2 

Ten composers to receive $15,000 commission, workshops and performances by the San Francisco Symphony or San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and mentorship from trio of Bay Area music directors: Michael Morgan, Edwin Outwater, and Esa-Pekka Salonen

First call for applications open now through December 31, 2020

Click here to access the Online Press Kit, which includes downloadable images and a PDF of this press release. 

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY LAUNCHES SUMMER 2020 PROGRAMMING

Digital programming includes CURRENTS—a four-part series curated and hosted by Michael Morgan in collaboration with San Francisco Symphony musicians and guest artists from the Bay Area  

CURRENTS Video Series and companion Podcast Series explore the intersections between classical music and Chinese, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Mexican musical cultures 

CURRENTS Explore & Create further guides conversations, activities, and opportunities for learning, curated and hosted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser 

Summer programming also features intimate, outdoor 1:1 Concerts performed by San Francisco Symphony musicians to one audience member at a time  

CURRENTS content can be accessed via sfsymphony.org/CURRENTS 

Click here to access the Online Press Kit, which includes downloadable images, artist bios, and a PDF of this press release. 

METALLICA AND SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY: S&M2 
TO BE RELEASED AUGUST 28, 2020 

Live album and video captured September 6 & 8, 2019 at San Francisco’s Chase Center

Available for preorder starting Wednesday, July 15 via metallica.com/sm2

View the S&M2 trailer here

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY APPEARS IN CNN’S THE FOURTH IN AMERICA, JULY 4, 2020

CNN’s The Fourth in America will stream live for subscribers on CNN.com’s homepage, across mobile devices via CNN’s apps for iOS and Android, and can also be viewed on CNNgo, 5pm–9pm PDT / 8pm–12am EDT

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY AND NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC JOIN FORCES FOR A VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE TO COMMEMORATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER, JUNE 26, 2020

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS NAMED OFFICER IN THE ORDRE DES ARTS ET DES LETTRES

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY TO STREAM LIVE JUNE 28 VIRTUAL TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS ON YOUTUBE PREMIERE
 

June 28 virtual event comes on the day that would have marked Michael Tilson Thomas’ final concert as Music Director of the Orchestra, a scheduled performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, Symphony of a Thousand

MTT25: An American Icon will stream free of charge on the San Francisco Symphony’s YouTube channel YouTube.com/SFSymphony on June 28 at 5pm PDT/8 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF ALL CONCERTS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020

THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY HONORS MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS’ REMARKABLE 25-YEAR TENURE AS MUSIC DIRECTOR WITH MTT25: AN ONLINE TRIBUTE—FEATURING EXPANDED DIGITAL CONTENT, VIRTUAL EVENTS, AND MORE, JUNE 4–28, 2020

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS AND THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY RELEASE
TILSON THOMAS’ FROM THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK & MEDITATIONS ON RILKE ON SFS MEDIA JUNE 26, 2020

CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHINA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA CANCEL THEIR 2020 USA TOURS

MAYORS FROM ACROSS THE NATION SEND JOINT LETTER TO CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF ARTS AND CULTURE FUNDING IN THE WAKE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF ALL REMAINING 2019–20 SEASON CONCERTS INCLUDING SUMMER WITH THE SYMPHONY

ADDITIONAL CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL ARE CANCELED

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY KDFC ENCORE RADIO BROADCAST SERIES CELEBRATING MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS TO LAUNCH ON APRIL 7

SFS MEDIA DIGITAL CONCERT SERIES AND DYNAMIC SEASON PLAYLIST
CELEBRATES MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS’ 25TH AND FINAL SEASON
AS MUSIC DIRECTOR

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS AND THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S
KEEPING SCORE TELEVISION SERIES TO BE AVAILABLE FOR FREE GLOBAL ONLINE STREAMING FOR THE FIRST TIME

ALL CONCERTS AT DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL THROUGH APRIL 30 ARE CANCELED OR POSTPONED