San Francisco

Breathing forests and village weddings energize the San Francisco Symphony and Esa-Pekka Salonen

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United StatesUnited States Stravinsky, Smith: James McVinnie (organ), Lauren Snouffer (soprano), Kayleigh Decker (mezzo-soprano), Paul Appleby (tenor), David Soar (bass), Hillary Leben (animator), San Francisco Symphony Chorus (director: Jenny Wong). San Francisco Symphony / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 18.11.2023. (HS)

Esa-Pekka Salonen and the San Francisco Symphony perform Stravinsky’s Les Noces (animation by Hillary Leben) © SFO

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Rhiannon Giddens’s Omar at SFO tugs at the emotions with resonant music and images

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United StatesUnited States Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels, Omar: Soloists, Guest Chorus (director: John Keene). Orchestra of San Francisco Opera / John Kennedy (conductor). War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 15.11.2023. (HS)

Jamez McCorkle (Omar) proves he can write to Daniel Okulitch (r, Owen,) and Barry Banks (l, Taylor) © Cory Weaver/SFO

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Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony bring Beethoven’s Ninth to a glorious climax

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United StatesUnited States Beethoven, Symphony No.9 in D minor: Angel Blue (soprano), Tamara Mumford (mezzo-soprano), Ben Bliss (tenor), Dashon Burton (bass-baritone), San Francisco Symphony / Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor), San Francisco Symphony Chorus / Jenny Wong (director). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 19.10.2023. (HS)

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Emanuel Ax and the SF Symphony in the premiere of Anders Hillborg’s absorbing Piano Concerto No.2

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United StatesUnited States Brahms, Hillborg, Beethoven: Emanuel Ax (piano), San Francisco Symphony / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 13.10.2023. (HS)

[l-r] Alexander Brantschik (concertmaster), Esa-Pekka Salonen, Emmanuel Ax and Anders Hillborg © Brandon Patoc

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Hip hop provides a fun jolt in San Francisco Symphony’s season opener

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United StatesUnited States Various: Simon Keenlyside (baritone), Kev Choice (hip-hop artist), Anthony Veneziale (Two-Touch), Hila Plitmann (soprano), San Francisco Symphony / Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor). Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 23.9.2023. (HS)

Red lighting and a projection enhance Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer with baritone Simon Keenlyside and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen © Drew Altizer Photography

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