Yuja Wang, S.F. Symphony fight climate change
Now that opening week is over and the galas are behind us, the San Francisco Symphony is starting its subscription season at Davies Symphony Hall with a compelling program combining the star power of pianist Yuja Wang with what may be the world’s most pressing issue: climate change.
With her unique blend of technical brilliance and theatrical panache, Wang always rises to the level of special events with her symphony appearances. For this program, she returns to join music director Michael Tilson Thomas and the orchestra in Ravel’s ravishing Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D major.
The rest of the concert promises something just as special. A Global Climate Action Summit affiliate event, the program includes Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and Italian composer Niccolo Castiglioni’s “Inverno inver,” a series of 11 musical poems depicting winter scenes. Conceived and directed by Tilson Thomas, the orchestra’s performance will include video projections by Clyde Scott and lighting by Luke Kritzeck.
Rounding out the program are traditional songs reminiscent of Depression-era Appalachia performed by singersongwriter Abigail Washburn, accompanied by projections from the “Coal + Ice” photo exhibition on display at San Francisco’s Fort Mason through Sept. 23.
The projected images depict the effects of climate change from coal mines to vanishing glaciers. Ticketholders are encouraged to attend the preconcert panel discussion on climate change, moderated by Tom Corwin, creative director of “Coal + Ice.”
Classical music organizations have tended to lag behind other arts disciplines in the climate change discussion, so kudos to Tilson Thomas and the symphony for presenting this program.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m. today-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Davies
Symphony Hall, San Francisco; $32-$169; 415-864-6000; www. sfsymphony.org.
SUTHERLAND SWAN SONG >> Robin Sutherland, who has been San Francisco Symphony’s principal keyboardist since 1973, has announced that he will step down from the post at the end of the 2018-19 season. Sutherland, a native of Greeley, Colorado, was appointed principal during the 1972-73 season by then-music director Seiji Ozawa, who created the position for him after Sutherland stepped
in for an ailing Mack McCray in a symphony performance of Hindemith’s Kammermusik No. 1. He has held the position for 45 years and has performed as soloist with the orchestra under numerous conductors in works by Bach, Bernstein, Mozart, Stravinsky and many others. A celebration of his tenure is in the works, to be presented later this season. Stay tuned for details.
STEINWAY SEASON STARTER >> The Steinway Society’s ’18-19 season — the organization’s 24th — opens with Zlata Chochieva.
The Russian pianist, described by Gramophone as “the possessor of a comprehensive technique, who brings an inner glow to every bar,” has been awarded top prizes in 14 international competitions and recorded three CDs for the Piano Classics label. In this recital, her program includes works by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Scriabin.
DETAILS >> 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Trianon Theatre, San Jose; $40-$60, with $10 student rush tickets available at the door; 408-9900872; www.steinwaysociety.com.
LIVING LIEDER >> In its mission to promote the art song repertoire, the San Francisco-based group Lieder Alive! opens its ’1819 Liederabend (Evenings of Song) season this weekend with a program titled “Neue Lieder, Neue Welt” (New Songs, New World). The program features mezzo-soprano Kendra Scharich and pianist Ricardo Ballestero in music by 19th-century Brazilian composer Alberto Nepomuceno and his muses: Brahms, Chausson and Grieg.
DETAILS >> 5 p.m. Sunday; Noe Valley Ministry, San Francisco; $35-$75 in advance; $20-$40 at the door for students and seniors; 415-561-0100; www.liederalive.org.
A TWO-QUARTET CONCERT >> The Telegraph and Alexander Quartet string ensembles team up this weekend for a free concert presented by the Morrison Artist Series. The program, which launches the Morrison’s ’18-19 season at San Francisco State University, features the quartets, both based in San Francisco, in a performance of Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings. In addition, the Alexander Quartet will perform Mozart’s String Quartet No. 16 in Eflat major and Penderecki’s Quartet No. 3, “Leaves of an Unwritten Diary.” If you go, pick up a copy of the Telegraph Quartet’s new CD. Titled “Into the Light,” it features works by Britten, Webern and Leon Kirchner.
DETAILS >> 3 p.m. Sunday; McKenna Theatre, San Francisco State University; Free admission; www. morrison.sfsu.edu.