Jessye Norman performs at the 2010 Opening Gala concert

2010–11

NEW CHAPTERS

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As the San Francisco Symphony approaches its centennial in 2011-12, it is a fitting time for wrapping up major projects and looking towards the future. After a decade of intense devotion to the works of Gustav Mahler, MTT and the Symphony complete their monumental cycle of the composer’s orchestral works and plot their path forward in recording projects devoted to two other MTT touchstones: Beethoven and American music.

TODAY’S PICK

Mahler’s Rückert Songs, with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, an SFS Media release from 2010

Mahler and Beyond

10 years. A dozen recordings. 7 Grammys. By any measure, MTT and the Symphony’s Mahler cycle is a transformative event for conductor, orchestra, and the world. The 2010-11 season sees MTT and the Symphony conclude their Mahler cycle with distinction: A two-part Keeping Score episode traces the composer’s origins and legacy while the SFS Media Mahler recording project closes with the release of Mahler’s Songs for Orchestra (featuring Susan Graham and Thomas Hampson) in September 2010. A centerpiece of the season is a rare four-concert engagement at the famed Vienna Konzerthaus—where MTT and the Symphony are greeted by the composer’s granddaughter Marina Mahler. With the Mahler cycle now complete, MTT and the Orchestra look ahead to further intriguing recording projects, kicking off a survey of Beethoven’s symphonies, choral works, and piano concertos, and exploring major works by Charles Ives/Henry Brant and Copland.

MTT with Marina Mahler, 2011 European Tour
Michael Tilson Thomas
The Arizona Republic

Celebrating the Creative Spirit: Project San Francisco

The multi-faceted composer and artist residency program Project San Francisco brings some of today’s most significant musicians to San Francisco to collaborate with the Symphony in concerts, chamber music, lectures, and education and community events. 2010-11 welcomes composer and longtime San Francisco Symphony friend John Adams and an MTT protégée, the brilliant young pianist Yuja Wang.

John Adams conducts his El Niño as part of Project SF, December 2010
Yuja Wang performs as part of Project SF, 2011
The Toronto Star
MTT and Donato Cabrera, 2010 European tour

MTT with Sakurako Fisher, 2011 European Tour

MTT with SF Symphony musicians, 2011 European Tour

MUSICIAN APPOINTMENTS
Sébastien Gingras (cello)

Recordings

2010–11 Tours

Organist Paul Jacobs and mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke joined MTT and the Orchestra on the September 2010 European Tour.

Lucerne, Switzerland, Kultur und Kongresszentrum
Milan, Italy, Teatro degli Arcimboldi
Turin, Italy, Il Lingotto

The May-June 2011 European Tour featured violinist Christian Tetzlaff, soprano Laura Claycomb, and mezzo-soprano Katarina Karnéus.

Prague, Czech Republic, Smetana Hall
Vienna, Austria, Grosser Saal
Brussels, Belgium, Palais des Beaux-Art
Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Philharmonie
Essen, Germany, Philharmonie
Paris, France, Salle Pleyel
Barcelona, Spain, Palau de la Musica
Madrid, Spain, Auditorio Nacional de Música
Lisbon, Portugal, Coliseu dos Recreios


Tune in to KDFC at 3pm daily for “MTT Time”—special concert broadcasts from each year of MTT’s historic tenure, featuring commentary from MTT himself.

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