Your San Francisco Symphony
Unforgettable performances and world-renowned artistry
2
World Premieres
2
US Premieres
8
SF Symphony Premieres
3
Commissions
SF Symphony Musician Solos
Three SF Symphony musicians stepped into the spotlight on five programs, showcasing the incredible talent within our orchestra.
Principal Trumpet Mark Inouye, William G. Irwin Charity Foundation Chair, performed the prominent trumpet solos in Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with guest pianist Seong-Jin Cho.
Principal Flute Yubeen Kim, Caroline H. Hume Chair, performed J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 with Alexi Kenney and Ibert’s Flute Concerto.
Principal Trombone Timothy Higgins, Robert L. Samter Chair, was featured as both soloist and composer across two programs, performing the US premiere of Jimmy López’s new trombone concerto Shift and presenting the world premiere of his new work, Market Street, 1920s.
Gaïa
Cellist Gautier Capuçon presented a groundbreaking recital of his recording and concert project Gaïa, which comprised 17 world premiere cello works inspired by the earth––all commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony! The performance also featured six cellists from the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra.
“This very special and unique project started here at the San Francisco Symphony, and I feel a special connection with the San Francisco audience.”
––Gautier Capuçon
SoundBox
SoundBox is an experimental live music series designed for musical innovation and immersive audience experiences, pushing the envelope with adventurous programming and design.
Last season featured Soundbox: Dream Awake, presented by violinist and curator Alexi Kenney, and Soundbox: Urban Forest, curated by composer Gabriella Smith.
Orchestral Series
Manfred Honeck’s unique interpretation of Mozart’s Requiem included dramatic readings, interpolations of additional Mozart works, and other enhancements to bring new insights to the score and provide moments of reflection for the audience. These sold-out concerts were dedicated in memory of Joshua Robison.
Emerging Black Composers Project
The Emerging Black Composers Project spotlights early-career Black American composers and their music. Kyle Rivera and Christopher Thompson were named the 2025 and 2026 winners, respectively. The season also saw the world premiere of Embers by 2024 winner Tyler Taylor. The San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a supporting partner for the program.
2025–26 Season Audience Overview
Grammy Nomination
The SFS Media recording of Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements received a Grammy nomination for Best Orchestral Performance.
“The music was sublime; the conductor and the Orchestra were just excellent.”
––Audience Member
Chevron was a Presenting Sponsor of The Great Performers Series.
The commissioning of Timothy Higgins’ Market Street, 1920s was supported by the Ralph I. Dorfman Commissioning Fund.
Lead support for SoundBox was provided by the Barbro and Bernard Osher SoundBox Fund.
Support for the San Francisco Symphony Chorus was provided through the San Francisco Symphony Chorus Endowment Fund, generously established by Peter G. Neumann.
Emerging Black Composers Project was underwritten by Michèle and Laurence Corash.
The commissioning of the works in the Gaïa project was made possible through the support of Solomon B. Cera and Toby Fischer Cera, Michèle and Laurence Corash, Gail Covington and John Murray, CSC, NSC, Christine and Frank Currie, Jerome Guillen and Jeremy Gallaher, Diane and Harry Greenberg, Deirdre and Chris Hockett, Fred Levin, The Shenson Foundation, Lawrence Maisel and Susan Grant, Patrick McCabe and Andrew MacIlrath, Marla Miller and David Kremer, Patricia Lee-Hoffmann and Steven Hoffmann, Dr. Gladys Monroy and Larry Marks, Camilla Miner Smith, and Linda Wenstrand and Bruce Winterhof.
