Marin Alsop’s appearance is supported by the Louise M. Davies Guest Conductor Fund.
These concerts are generously supported by the Ralph I. Dorfman Commissioning Fund.
Open rehearsals are endowed by a bequest from The Estate of Katharine Hanrahan.
OPEN REHEARSAL
Alsop Conducts Music of the Americas
April 10, 2025
Overview
Marin Alsop guides the SF Symphony through an exhilarating journey that spans the United States, Venezuela, and Mexico, following the crosscurrents and commonalities of the countries’ many musical traditions. Gabriela Ortiz’s playfully seductive Antrópolis sets the stage while the Venezuelan composer and pianist Gabriela Montero performs her Piano Concerto No. 1, Latin. Paired fanfares by Aaron Copland and Joan Tower join with Samuel Barber's primal and propulsive Symphony No. 1 to bring it all back home.
Open rehearsals begin at 10:00am and end at 12:30pm, with a short intermission.
Open rehearsals are suitable for high school groups. For school groups interested in purchasing tickets, please visit our Group Discounts page.
Concert Extras
On April 9 at 7:00pm, Amateur Music Network presents Sarah Cahill’s Backstage Pass with special guests: conductor Marin Alsop and pianist Gabriela Montero. At Davies Symphony Hall’s Wattis Room, Cahill, Alsop and Montero offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the artistic process. Tickets are available for purchase through Amateur Music Network. LEARN MORE
Thursday, April 10 from 9:00am–9:30am: A prerehearsal talk by Laura Prichard will be presented from the stage. Free to all ticketholders.
Please note that concessions are not available during Open Rehearsal events.
Thursday, April 10 from 9:00am–9:30am: A prerehearsal talk by Laura Prichard will be presented from the stage. Free to all ticketholders.
Please note that concessions are not available during Open Rehearsal events.
Program
Gabriela
Ortiz
Antrópolis
Gabriela
Montero
Piano Concerto No. 1, Latin
First San Francisco Symphony Performances
Aaron
Copland
Fanfare for the Common Man
Joan
Tower
Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
Samuel
Barber
Symphony No. 1
Sponsors
Marin Alsop
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Conductor
This season marks Marin Alsop’s sixth as chief conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, which she leads at Vienna’s Musikverein and Konzerthaus; her second as artistic director and chief conductor of the Polish National Radio Symphony; her second as principal guest conductor of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra; and her first as principal guest conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She is also chief conductor of the Ravinia Festival, where she leads the Chicago Symphony’s annual summer residencies, and is the first music director of the National Orchestral Institute and Festival at the University of Maryland.
In 2021, Alsop became music director laureate of the Baltimore Symphony, which she continues to conduct each season. In 2019, after seven years as music director of Brazil’s São Paulo Symphony, Alsop was named “conductor of honour,” and continues to undertake major projects there each season. Deeply committed to new music, she was music director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music for 25 years, leading 174 premieres.
Recognized with Grammy, Classical BRIT, and Gramophone awards, Alsop’s discography comprises more than 200 titles. The first and only conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, Alsop has also been honored with the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award and honorary doctorates from Yale University and the Juilliard School. She makes her San Francisco Symphony subscription series debut with this program.
In 2021, Alsop became music director laureate of the Baltimore Symphony, which she continues to conduct each season. In 2019, after seven years as music director of Brazil’s São Paulo Symphony, Alsop was named “conductor of honour,” and continues to undertake major projects there each season. Deeply committed to new music, she was music director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music for 25 years, leading 174 premieres.
Recognized with Grammy, Classical BRIT, and Gramophone awards, Alsop’s discography comprises more than 200 titles. The first and only conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, Alsop has also been honored with the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award and honorary doctorates from Yale University and the Juilliard School. She makes her San Francisco Symphony subscription series debut with this program.
Gabriela Montero
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Piano
Gabriela Montero’s recent and upcoming highlights include performances of her own Latin Concerto with the New World Symphony, Vienna Radio Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony, Antwerp Symphony, and Swedish Radio Symphony. Other appearances have included the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Houston Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, amond many other groups. In January 2009, she was a featured performer at Barack Obama’s inauguration, and she made her San Francisco Symphony debut the following July.
Montero’s most recent album, released on Orchid Classics, features her Latin Concerto and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major. Her first orchestral composition, Ex Patria, won a Latin Grammy for Best Classical Album, and in 2008, she also received a Grammy nomination for her album Baroque.
Montero’s most recent album, released on Orchid Classics, features her Latin Concerto and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major. Her first orchestral composition, Ex Patria, won a Latin Grammy for Best Classical Album, and in 2008, she also received a Grammy nomination for her album Baroque.
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