New guest conductor named to replace Charles Dutoit
There’s lots of great music in the Bay Area this week: Conductor Thierry Fischer makes his Bay Area debut in two programs with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, two pianists arrive to celebrate Mozart’s birthday with the New Century Chamber Orchestra, and the New Esterhazy Quartet recreates a concert first performed in 19th-century Paris.
A DEBUT IN DAVIES >> When longtime Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Charles Dutoit was accused of sexual misconduct last month, the response was swift and final. Dutoit was scheduled to lead the orchestra at Davies Symphony Hall this weekend as part of the San Francisco Symphony’s Great Performers series, but the symphony severed all ties with him — and shortly thereafter, the Royal Philharmonic did, too.
But the concerts, scheduled for Sunday and Monday, will go on: Conductor Thierry Fischer has stepped into the breach to conduct both programs.
Born in Switzerland, Fischer has been music director of the Utah Symphony since 2009, and by all accounts, he’s done impressive work there, revitalizing the orchestra and leading his musicians in annual composer cycles featuring Mahler, Ives and Nielsen; last November, the orchestra released a recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In 2016, Fischer marked the orchestra’s 75th season with a Carnegie Hall concert and a CD of works by contemporary composers, including Nico Muhly and Andrew Norman.
Fischer, who makes his Bay Area debut in these concerts, has two big programs to conduct at Davies. Sunday’s concert features Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, with Gautier Capuçon as soloist; also included are Debussy’s “Petite Suite” and Stravinsky’s “Firebird.” On
Monday, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet joins Fischer and the orchestra in Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major. Stravinsky’s “Petrushka” and Respighi’s “Fountains of Rome” complete the program.
DETAILS >> Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $35-$109; 8 p.m. Monday, $35-$99; Davies Hall, San Francisco; 415-8646000; www.sfsymphony.org.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WOLFIE >> The New Century Chamber Orchestra kicks off the new year with an all-Mozart concert in honor of the composer’s birthday. “Mozart’s Birthday Celebration” features the composer’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, with two pianists sharing the soloist’s duties.
Tonight in Berkeley and Friday in Palo Alto, German pianist Sebastian Knauer joins the string orchestra as soloist; on Saturday, the program moves to San Francisco, with pianist Menahem Pressler as soloist. At each performance, violinist Daniel Hope, who is New Century’s artistic partner, joins the ensemble in the Concerto for Violin No. 3 in G major. The program also includes Mozart’s Adagio and Fugue in C minor, and Symphony No. 29 in A major.
DETAILS >> New Century Chamber Orchestra performs 8 p.m. today at First Congregational Church, Berkeley; 8 p.m. Friday at Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, Palo Alto; 8 p.m. Saturday at Herbst Theatre, San Francisco; $29-$61; 415392-4400; www.cityboxoffice.com.
AN EVENING IN GAY PAREE >> Mozart also appears on the New Esterházy Quartet’s latest program, which is designed to re-create a noteworthy concert in 19th-century France performed by violinist Pierre Baillot and friends. “Paris, 1822: The Baillot Quartet” features string quartets by Boccherini, Haydn, Beethoven and Mozart — works that were featured in Baillot’s popular “séances de quatuors et de quintettes” of the era. Expect the members of the New Esterházy Quartet — violinists Lisa Weiss and Kati Kyme, violist Anthony Martin and cellist William Skeen — to revive the event with flair.
DETAILS >> 8 p.m. Friday at Hillside Club, Berkeley; 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, San Francisco; 4 p.m. Sunday at All Saints Episcopal Church, Palo Alto; $25-$30; 415-520-0611; www.newesterhazy.org.
THE CIRCA IS COMING >> As part of its innovative Berkeley Radical program, Cal Performances has brought some truly unique events to the UC Berkeley campus. “Il Ritorno,” which arrives next weekend at Zellerbach Hall, should be another coup for the organization. Featuring Australia’s Circa Ensemble, the piece brings seven acrobats, four chamber musicians and two singers onstage to present Monteverdi’s stunning 17th-century opera, “Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria.” Adventurous music lovers shouldn’t miss it.