Michael Tilson Thomas marks his 24th year as music director of the San Francisco Symphony with a trip up the coast. This special Seattle program opens with Tilson Thomas’ own composition, the enchanting Agnegram, and showcases the orchestra’s expressive range with Beethoven’s game-changing Eroica Symphony.
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Tuesday, 19 March, 2019 7:30PM
Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Harbison’s new book “What Do We Make of Bach?” was released alongside his symphony of the same name. The work, a joint commission by the Seattle Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra, will have its West Coast premiere at Benaroya Hall on March 21 & 23. The book details Bach's profound significance on Harbison as a composer and relevance to our artistic selves. Violinist Rose Mary Harbison and keyboardist John Harbison perform music by Bach, Mozart, Harbison, Schöenberg and Kreisler, and read excerpts from the book. The author will be available to sign copies after the event.
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Wednesday, 20 March, 2019 7:30PM
Bach brings the best out of all musicians — especially the brilliant minds featured on this program. Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 15 honors Bach through structural patterns and telltale themes, resulting in a stunningly clear and refined swan song from the 20th century’s greatest symphonist. Conductor Leopold Stokowski had a special affection for Bach, and his lush symphonic arrangement of the Toccata and Fugue in D minor radiates the full power of this iconic organ composition. John Harbison, a giant among living American composers, has long cited Bach as a primary influence. His other great love is jazz and the American songbook tradition, which contributes to the consistent warmth and humanity of his writing. His Bach-inspired symphony features the spectacular Watjen Concert Organ, the envy of every concert hall in the world.
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Thursday, 21 March, 2019 7:30PM
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Saturday, 23 March, 2019 8:00PM
Pierre Boulez and Luciano Berio challenge the boundaries of musical possibility in two works of daring virtuosity. Boulez’s Sur incises is a riot of color, filled with spectacular energy and drama. Berio’s more introspective Circles reaches for new heights of expression, uniting sound and gesture into music of enigmatic beauty.
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Friday, 22 March, 2019 10:00PM
Spring is in the air! Hosted by a board-certified music therapist, your family will love learning about the violins in an environment that is designed specifically for children on the Autism spectrum and with sensory sensitivities. The concert experience includes instrument exploration before and after the show, a meet-and-greet with the featured musicians and a 35-minute performance.
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Saturday, 23 March, 2019 10:00AM
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Saturday, 23 March, 2019 12:00PM
