When the San Francisco Symphony was established in 1911, its founders sought to create a permanent orchestra for the city that would make music available to all its citizens, regardless of age, income or background. Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) and the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) hold true to this vision 100 years later with the opening of their 2011-2012 Centennial Season, three days of civic and community celebrations September 7-9 that mark 100 years since the Orchestra’s founding, as well as celebrate the American orchestra’s role as a cultural, educational, and civic institution.
The week of celebrations include an opening gala to be filmed by PBS, a centennial exhibition at the San Francisco Public Library and an all-star concert that pays tribute to the Bay Area’s non-profit and social service organizations.
The Symphony’s Opening Gala on Wednesday, September 7 at 8:00 p.m. features Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas leading the Orchestra and special guest soloists pianist Lang Lang and violinist Itzhak Perlman.
Proceeds from the Centennial Gala benefit the Orchestra’s myriad artistic, community, and education programs, which provide music education to more than 75,000 Bay Area school children each year.
On Thursday, September 8 at 11:30 a.m., MTT and the San Francisco Symphony invite the entire Bay Area community to celebrate the Centennial Season with a free outdoor Birthday Bash concert and festivities in Civic Center Plaza, featuring guest artist Lang Lang. Also on September 8, an exhibition titled Music for a City, Music for the World: 100 Years with the San Francisco Symphony opens at the San Francisco Public Library, showcasing historical objects and documents from the Symphony’s first 100 years.
On Friday, September 9 at 8:00 p.m., the annual All-San Francisco Concert—featuring SFS Concertmaster Alexander Barantschik as soloist—expresses the San Francisco Symphony’s gratitude to more than 100 social service and non-profit organizations that serve San Francisco and the Bay Area.
SF Symphony’s Centennial Season Launch Celebration (Sept 7 – 13, 2011)
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY CENTENNIAL OPENING GALA: FANFARE FOR A NEW CENTURY
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue, San FranciscoMichael Tilson Thomas, conductor PROGRAM:
Lang Lang, piano Copland/Billy the Kid Ballet Suite
Itzhak Perlman, violin Liszt/Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major
San Francisco Symphony Mendelssohn/Violin Concerto in E minor, Opus 64
Britten/The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Opus 345:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception for Dinner patrons, San Francisco Opera House Lobby
6:00 p.m. Patrons’ Dinner, Louise M. Davies Tent Pavilion
6:00 p.m. Symphony Supper, Grand Rotunda – City Hall
6:00 p.m. Symphonix Dinner, North Light Court – City Hall7:00 p.m. Pre-concert Champagne Promenade for all concert guests, Davies Symphony Hall
8:00 p.m. Gala Concert, Davies Symphony Hall
10:00 p.m. After-Party for all concert guests, Louise M. Davies Tent PavilionTICKETS: Concert tickets, which include access to the pre-concert Champagne Promenade and After-Party, are priced at $165 and $295 per person. Concert tickets are available on a limited basis. Special Gala dinner and concert packages are available starting from $395 per person. For dinner/concert packages, please call (415) 503-5500.
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY BIRTHDAY BASH FREE CONCERT
Thursday, September 8, 2011 Civic Center Plaza – front of City Hall
Polk Street between Grove and McAllister StreetsMichael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Lang Lang, piano
San Francisco Symphony
11:30 a.m. Pre-Concert Festivities
12:00 p.m. Free ConcertThis is a free outdoor concert. No tickets are required. ADA seating will be available.
Festivities will begin at 11:30 a.m. Along with other pre-concert activities, Classical KDFC’s Rik Malone will host the pre- and post-concert festivities from the stage. Off the Grid food trucks will be on hand for guests to purchase lunch. The outdoor concert begins at 12:00 p.m. and includes selections from the Opening Gala concert. The audience will be treated to additional musical and birthday surprises during the event.
SFS CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION AT SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
MUSIC FOR A CITY, MUSIC FOR THE WORLD: 100 YEARS WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONYThursday, September 8, 2011 San Francisco Public Library – Jewett Gallery
through Monday, January 9, 2012 100 Larkin Street, San FranciscoFree admission
Organized by SFS Archivist Joe Evans and on display in the Jewett Gallery at the Main Library, Music for a City, Music for the World: 100 Years with the San Francisco Symphony tells the story of the Symphony and its role within and impact on its city, from its formative years following the 1906 earthquake to its present position as one of the country’s most respected orchestras. The exhibition presents almost 200 historic objects and documents drawn from the Symphony’s archival collections, including photos, concert posters, and programs, most exhibited for the first time.
EXHIBITION DISCUSSION AND BOOK SIGNING WITH LARRY ROTHE AND JOSEPH EVANS
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. San Francisco Public Library – Jewett Gallery
100 Larkin Street, San FranciscoThe Library will host an opening reception for the exhibition, featuring SFS Publications Editor Larry Rothe and SFS Archivist Joseph Evans leading a discussion on the Symphony’s history. Rothe will also sign copies of his SFS Centennial book, Music for a City, Music for the World: 100 Years with the San Francisco Symphony.
ALL-SAN FRANCISCO CONCERT
Friday, September 9, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue, San FranciscoMichael Tilson Thomas, conductor PROGRAM:
Alexander Barantschik, violin Copland/Billy the Kid Ballet Suite
TBA, pianist Liszt/Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major
San Francisco Symphony Mendelssohn/Violin Concerto in E minor, Opus 64
Britten/The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Opus 34
