April to July 2024: San Francisco Symphony Presents and Partners With the World Famous Legendary Performers: Yefim Bronfman; Yevgeny Kissin; Yuja Wang, Joshua Bell and John Legend
By Lina Broydo
Stars shine on San Francisco Symphony’s spring and summer music calendar while enriching our zest for fabulously spectacular concerts at the architecturally striking Davies Symphony Hall located on the newly renamed MTT Street in San Francisco.
Yefim Bronfman, Piano. The brilliant virtuoso pianist with the striking stage presence with the jaw-dropping bravura, is one of the most popular guest pianists performing annually with the SF Symphony. And I am honored to call him my friend.
April 21 – Piano Recital; June 21, 22 and 23 – With the SF Symphony under the masterful baton of Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen
5/21 SPRING RECITAL PROGRAM: Piano Sonata in A minor, Opus 143, D.784 by Franz Schubert; Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Opus 26 by Robert Schumann; Sisar, by Esa-Pekka Salonen; Nocturne in D-flat major, Opus 27, no.2, by Frédéric Chopin; Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major, Opus 83 by Sergei Prokofiev; 6/21-23 SUMMER PROGRAM: Piano Concerto by Robert Schumann; Symphony #4 “Romantic” by Anton Bruckner, with the San Francisco Symphony and its Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Evgeny Kissin, Piano. The thrilling artist returns to Davies Symphony Hall to showcase his technical prowess and musical depth. Extremely in demand by the concert venues throughout the world, Kissin’s electrifying artistry hypnotizes the music aficionados wherever he performs and one of my dreams to see and hear him live at a concert may come true as I am looking forward to his piano recital on May 7 in San Francisco. Program: “Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor”, “Opus 90” by Ludwig van Beethoven; “Nocturne in F-sharp minor” by Frédéric Chopin; “Fantaisie in F minor” by Frédéric Chopin; “Piano Sonata No. 2 in D minor” by Sergei Prokofiev; “Four Ballades” by Johannes Brahms
Yuja Wang, Piano. The most famous and exhilarating woman pianist in the world who is also a stunning fashionista sells out the concert halls all over the world. Hurry to get your ticket to her performance this spring. Bring a pair of binoculars just in case your tickets will be located very high in the section as I call it close to God.
The May 5/15 PROGRAM: Selections from Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus (Twenty Contemplations on the Infant Jesus) by Olivier Messiaen; Piano Sonata No.7 White Mass by Alexander Scriabin; L’Isle Joyeuse by Claude Debussy; Four Ballades by Frédéric Chopin
Joshua Bell, Violin
Ryan Bancroft, Conductor; San Francisco Symphony
May 16, 17, 18
PROGRAM: One of the most gifted and phenomenal violinists Joshua Bell joins Ryan Bancroft, Chief Conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and the Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, as they lead the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in the United States premiere of Unsuk Chin’s Alaraph ‘Ritus des Herzschlags’. Bell also joins the Orchestra for the first San Francisco Symphony performances of Kevin Puts’ Earth, one of five movements in the suite “Elements,” which was originally commissioned by Bell in 2023 and features works by five acclaimed composers.
Bancroft and the Orchestra end the program with Claude Debussy’s La Mer, which reflects the composer’s love for the unpredictability and ever-changing nature of the sea.
A perfect composition to play in the City by the Bay with its gorgeous views on the sea.
sfsymphony.org
Davies Symphony Hall
A Night of Songs and Stories with John Legend and the San Francisco Symphony. July 23 & 24, 2024
Hurry! This will be one of the most fantastic and entertaining performances at Davies Symphony Hall! John Legend: A Night of Songs and Stories with the San Francisco Symphony will feature intimate reimaginings of Legend’s greatest hits (“All of Me,” “Ordinary People,” “Tonight”), unexpected stories from his life and career, and selections from his most recent release LEGEND (“Nervous,” “Wonder Woman”).
EGOT-winning, critically acclaimed, multi-platinum musician John Legend has garnered 12 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and three Emmy Awards, among others. Legend has released nine albums over the course of his career and is currently a coach on NBC’s The Voice. Beyond his music career, Legend is a co-founder of Get Lifted Film Co, a production company which has developed projects with major networks.
In 2023, Legend launched Loved01, his effective and affordable unisex skincare brand formulated to treat the needs of melanin-rich skin. As an activist, Legend launched FREEAMERICA in 2015 to change the conversation surrounding criminal justice policies and to end mass incarceration.
INFORMATION: All the featured in this column photos are courtesy of the SF Symphony. Tickets for concerts at Davies Symphony Hall can be purchased via sfsymphony.org or by calling the San Francisco Symphony Box Office at 415.864.6000.
