San Francisco Symphony

Billboard announces MTT’s inaugural season as Music Director

ON THE FUTURE’S FRONTIER: 1995–96

In 1995, the San Francisco Symphony welcomes its 11th music director, Michael Tilson Thomas. His much-anticipated arrival is considered the most significant appointment of the decade among American orchestras. MTT’s mission: offer interesting music in thought-provoking performances, with each program including works that reflect each other—some diverting, some challenging, some reaffirming. And he delivers.

SETTING THE TONE:
AMERICAN MUSIC

MTT sets the tone with an Opening Night Gala concert that features the commissioned world premiere of American maverick Lou Harrison’s A Parade for MTT, and the music of John Cage, John Adams, and Charles Ives. Every subscription program thereafter includes an American work, a commitment that culminates in the season-ending American Festival. This groundbreaking festival captures worldwide attention for its one-two punch of inventive programming and spirited performances, which spans 250 years of American composers and features artists including members of the iconic Bay Area rock group The Grateful Dead.

MTT and the San Francisco Symphony at the 1995 Opening Gala

I’m coming to San Francisco to build on and continue a great tradition, but what I bring is not habitude, but adventure and excitement. The key question should always be, what's coming next? San Francisco is a place where it's possible for artistic history to be made, to lead people to a richer, more passionate, more fulfilling life. ”

— Michael Tilson Thomas, 1995

The new guy has hit town at last. In his first performance Wednesday night as the San Francisco Symphony’s music director, Michael Tilson Thomas led the orchestra in one of its most exciting, most joyous season openers in a long, long time. That's the good news. There isn't any bad news. ”

— San Francisco Chronicle, 1995

The 1996 American Festival paid homage to U.S. composers past and present, from Charles Ives to John Adams. It also featured members of the iconic Bay Area rock group The Grateful Dead performing music of John Cage with the SFS Youth Orchestra.

Lou Harrison and Michael Tilson Thomas, who holds a gifted red shirt matching Lou Harrison's, during the American Festival in June, 1996

Can we put something here about ON THE TOWN ... It's a good way to include information about productions ... can we use this pic or do we have any other pics? Michael Tilson Thomas and Narrator Betty Comden backstage at Davies Symphony Hall after the final performance of the 1996 semi-staged production of Leonard Bernstein’s On The Town.

SETTING THE PACE:
FIRST SEASON, FIRST GRAMMY WIN

In his first weeks as music director, MTT and the San Francisco Symphony record music from Prokofiev’s score for the ballet Romeo and Juliet during live concerts at Davies Symphony Hall. The recording is an intentional shift from studio recordings, capitalizing on the unique spontaneity of live performances, and positioning the SF Symphony as leaders in the industry. The album captures the 1996 Grammy for Best Classical Recording, an astonishing first-season achievement that further fuels the tangible excitement surrounding MTT and the Orchestra’s extraordinary partnership.

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— Musician Name Name

Musician Appointments

Cathy Payne
David Herbert
Barbara Bogatin
(won tenure in 1995 from 1994 trial year)

Conducting Staff

Alasadair Neale continues as Associate Conductor and Wattis Foundation Music Director of the SFSYO (1989-2001)

Vance George continues as Chorus Director (1983–2006)

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE TOUR GRAPHIC

Can we get a photo for here, I saw a note we might have a copy of the Harrison Score?

Premieres

Harrison: Parade for MTT
(World premiere, SFS commission; September 1995 Opening Night Gala)
First time Lou Harrison is performed by the SFS.

Adams: Lollapalooza
(US premiere; June 1996 American Festival)

Cowell: Atlantis
(World premiere, SFS commission; June 1996 American Festival)

Kraft: Brazen
(World premiere, SFS commission; September 1996 JY)

Steve Mackey: Lost & Found
(World premiere, SFS commission; September 1996 Opening Night Gala)

Penderecki: Violin Concerto No. 2
(US premiere; November 1996 Euro/Carnegie tour, Anne-Sophie Mutter)

Volkert: Solus
(World premiere, SFS commission; October 1996)

Daugherty: Concrete Jungle
(World premiere, SFS commission; June 1996 American Festival)

SFS President and Chief Executive Officer
Nancy Bechtle (1987-2001)

SFS Executive Director
Peter Pastreich (1978-99)

ON THE FUTURE’S FRONTIER: 1995–96

SETTING THE TONE: AMERICAN MUSIC

SETTING THE PACE: FIRST SEASON, FIRST GRAMMY WIN

SETTING THE TONE:
AMERICAN MUSIC

SETTING THE PACE:
FIRST SEASON, FIRST GRAMMY WIN