These concerts are generously sponsored by the Ralph I. Dorfman Commissioning Fund.
Inside Music talks are supported in memory of Horacio Rodriguez.
Salonen Conducts Symphonie fantastique
April 22, 23 & 24, 2027
Overview
Leonard Bernstein once called Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique “the first psychedelic symphony in history.” Esa-Pekka Salonen and the SF Symphony come together to explore the lavish beauty and ghastly visions of Berlioz’s work. Extending the exhilaration is the world premiere of a double concerto by American composer Rene Orth, a San Francisco Symphony commission showcasing the singular talents of Principal Harp Katherine Siochi and Principal Percussion Jacob Nissly. Orth’s trailblazing, tech-forward music combines wide-ranging sounds to create new ways to tell stories.Concert Extras
An Inside Music Talk will be presented on stage one hour before each concert. Free to all ticketholders.
Artists
Esa-Pekka Salonen
Conductor
Harp
Percussion
San Francisco Symphony
Program
Rene
Orth
Concerto for Harp and Percussion
SF Symphony Commission and World Premiere
Hector
Berlioz
Symphonie fantastique
Sponsors
Jacob Nissly and Katherine Siochi
San Francisco Symphony
Katherine Siochi
Harp
Katherine Siochi joined the San Francisco Symphony as Principal Harp beginning in the 2023–24 season and made her solo debut in September 2024. She was previously principal harp of the Minnesota Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, and Sarasota Orchestra, and has appeared as a guest with the Chicago Symphony and New York Philharmonic. She was the gold medalist of the 2016 USA International Harp Competition.
As a soloist, Ms. Siochi has performed in China, Hong Kong, Israel, and at Lyon & Healy Hall in Chicago. She has served as a concert artist for the American Harp Society, presenting solo concerts and masterclasses across the United States. Recently she also served as artist-faculty at Aspen Music Festival and School, teaching and performing with the Aspen Festival Orchestra.
Ms. Siochi earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School as a student of Nancy Allen, and also studied piano as a secondary instrument. In 2021 she released her debut album, Nocturne, on Lyon & Healy Records.
In 2021 Siochi released her debut album, Nocturne, on Lyon & Healy Records. She serves on the faculty of San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Aspen Music Festival and School.
As a soloist, Ms. Siochi has performed in China, Hong Kong, Israel, and at Lyon & Healy Hall in Chicago. She has served as a concert artist for the American Harp Society, presenting solo concerts and masterclasses across the United States. Recently she also served as artist-faculty at Aspen Music Festival and School, teaching and performing with the Aspen Festival Orchestra.
Ms. Siochi earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School as a student of Nancy Allen, and also studied piano as a secondary instrument. In 2021 she released her debut album, Nocturne, on Lyon & Healy Records.
In 2021 Siochi released her debut album, Nocturne, on Lyon & Healy Records. She serves on the faculty of San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Aspen Music Festival and School.
Jacob Nissly
Percussion
Jacob Nissly joined the San Francisco Symphony as Principal Percussion in 2013. Previously, he was principal percussion of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony. He also spent two years as a fellow in the New World Symphony.
Nissly is chair of the Percussion Department and professor of percussion at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He is also a regular coach at the New World Symphony. He previously taught at the Eastman School of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music. He has served as a percussion coach for the Aspen Music Festival since 2019, National Youth Orchestra-USA, Verbier Festival, and others.
Nissly can be heard on recordings with the San Francisco Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra. He also played drum set on the St. Louis Symphony's Grammy award-winning recording of John Adams's City Noir.
In 2019, Nissly premiered Adam Schoenberg’s percussion concerto Losing Earth with the San Francisco Symphony. He has performed the piece with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Omaha Symphony and will perform it with the Nuremberg Symphony in 2026.
Nissly holds a Bachelor of Music and Jazz Studies degree from Northwestern University and Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School. He endorses Vic Firth drumsticks, Zildjian cymbals, Kolberg percussion, and Remo drumheads.
For more on Jacob Nissly, visit sfsymphony.org/jacobnissly.
Nissly is chair of the Percussion Department and professor of percussion at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He is also a regular coach at the New World Symphony. He previously taught at the Eastman School of Music and Cleveland Institute of Music. He has served as a percussion coach for the Aspen Music Festival since 2019, National Youth Orchestra-USA, Verbier Festival, and others.
Nissly can be heard on recordings with the San Francisco Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra. He also played drum set on the St. Louis Symphony's Grammy award-winning recording of John Adams's City Noir.
In 2019, Nissly premiered Adam Schoenberg’s percussion concerto Losing Earth with the San Francisco Symphony. He has performed the piece with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Omaha Symphony and will perform it with the Nuremberg Symphony in 2026.
Nissly holds a Bachelor of Music and Jazz Studies degree from Northwestern University and Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School. He endorses Vic Firth drumsticks, Zildjian cymbals, Kolberg percussion, and Remo drumheads.
For more on Jacob Nissly, visit sfsymphony.org/jacobnissly.
©2026 San Francisco Symphony | Privacy Statement & Terms and Conditions
