Christian Reif steps up for S.F. Symphony
Christian Reif has two big programs coming up at Davies Symphony Hall.
Tonight, he’ll begin a subscription concert series conducting the San Francisco Symphony in Holst’s “The Planets,” Wagner’s “Siegfried’s Rhine Journey” from “Götterdämmerung” and Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2, with Jean-Efflam Bavouzet as soloist.
Then, on May 13, he’ll lead the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra in Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring,” Fauré’s Suite from “Pelléas et Mélisande” and Ligeti’s “Concert Românesc.”
That’s a tall order for any conductor, but Reif, who is the symphony’s resident conductor as well as music director of the youth orchestra, says he can’t wait.
Reif, who was born and raised in Germany and came to San Francisco from a post in Michael Tilson Thomas’ New World Symphony in Miami, has become one of the Bay Area’s most vibrant conductors. He made his S.F. Symphony debut in 2015, conducting Ted Hearne’s “Dispatches.” In subsequent programs with the symphony and youth orchestra, in Tilson Thomas’ innovative SoundBox series, and in a guest appearance at Berkeley Symphony, he’s impressed with his boundless musical energy and acumen.
This week’s symphony program was originally scheduled to be conducted by Charles Dutoit, but when Dutoit became the subject of sexual misconduct allegations, the symphony cut ties with him and asked Reif to conduct. Discussing the program last week, Reif said he was happy to take up the reins.
“I’m really excited to be conducting next week,” he said. “Working with this orchestra, we’ve developed a wonderful relationship. I’m thrilled to be making music with them.”
Holst’s expansive score is the main event, and Reif says he’s exploring it for the first time. “In Germany, I didn’t grow up listening to ‘The Planets,’ so I’m coming to it fresh,” he said. “It’s a fantastic score.”
The performances will feature the women of the S.F. Symphony Chorus, “making it even more transcendent,” he said. Wagner’s score, he added, “works really well” with Holst’s.
Reif also will conduct the youth orchestra’s 35th anniversary concert on May 13, with the aforementioned works by Fauré and Ligeti and that monumental “Rite of Spring” score that few youth orchestras would dare to approach. Reif says his musicians are ready.
“It’s a big undertaking, but they are really rising to the challenge,” he said. “I’ve also been a fan of the Ligeti piece for a long time. There’s a wonderful folk dance aspect to both pieces.”
For Reif, working with the youth orchestra has been consistently rewarding.
“I love my work with them,” he said. “It’s very inspiring and fulfilling. I think of my time in youth orchestras in Germany, how it informed me and inspired me. I’ve tried to give them a sense of trying things out, and they bring so much energy and openness to everything we do.”
It’s clear that Reif has a major career ahead of him. He’ll continue as the symphony’s resident conductor and youth orchestra music director next season, and he has a full schedule of guest appearances coming up. This summer, he’ll make his Mostly Mozart Festival debut with the International Contemporary Ensemble. Another special assignment is in Minnesota, where he’ll conduct Mahler’s Fourth Sympony featuring soprano Julia Bullock, who starred in the San Francisco Opera’s world premiere of John Adams’ “Girls of the Golden West” this season. He and Bullock are engaged to be married, although the date isn’t set. “Probably in 2019,” he said. “We’re still working out the dates.”
DETAILS >> San Francisco Symphony program, 8 p.m. today and Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday, $30-$159; San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra program, 2 p.m. May 13, $15-$55; both programs in Davies Hall; 415-864-6000, www.sfsymphony.org.
A ONE FOUND SOUND PARTY >> Classical music is being played in diverse new ways these days, and the Bay Area’s own One Found Sound has found success by moving its concerts outside the concert hall. Launched in 2013 by five musicians from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the conductorless chamber orchestra takes a relaxed approach, presenting events in galleries, wineries and live-work spaces, with audiences sitting or standing with drinks (and phones) in hand. This week brings the group’s gala, titled “Quinquennial Birthday Bash.” The event includes music by Mahler, Beethoven and Dvorak. An open bar is included, along with an after-party featuring a DJ set by Johnny Hwin of Cathedrals.
DETAILS >> Friday, Heron Arts, San Francisco; $50 general admission at 7:30 p.m., $75-$125 silver and platinum tickets include admission at 6:30 p.m., with food and preview performance. www. onefoundsound.org.