San Francisco Symphony presents an all Sibelius program featuring Lisa Batiashvili
Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness, San Francisco, CA 94102 USA
2:00 PM, Thursday, March 14, 2024

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[2:06 PM] {pre-recorded announcements}
[2:07 PM] {applause for entrance of concertmaster; tuning; applause for entrance of EPS}

1. [2:08 PM] Jean Sibelius (1865–1957): Finlandia, Op. 26 (1899)
   [2:17 PM] {work ends; applause; pause to rearrange a few bits onstage}

[2:18 PM] {tuning}
[2:19 PM] {enter LB & EPS}

Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 (1905), featuring Lisa Batiashvili

1. [2:20 PM] Allegro moderato
2. [2:37 PM] Adagio di molto
3. [2:46 PM] Allegro ma non tanto
   [2:54 PM] {set ends; all off after a minute or two}

[3:16 PM] {lights down, tuning}

Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Opus 39 (1899)

1. [3:17 PM] Andante, ma non troppo–Allegro energico
2. [3:29 PM] Andante (ma non troppo lento)
3. [3:38 PM] Scherzo: Allegro
4. [3:43 PM] Finale (Quasi una Fantasia): Andante–Allegro molto
   [3:56 PM] {set ends; applause and flowers for EPS}
   [3:59 PM] {show ends}

San Francisco Symphony

• Esa-Pekka Salonen: conductor, music director;
• symphony members vary by program; see the current list.

• Lisa Batiashvili: violin.

Sadly, I learned at the end of the show today that EPS has resigned his position with the SF Symphony over artistic and financial differences with the board of directors. Damn! Here's Joshua Kosman's Chronicle piece about it.

That explains the giant bouqet of flowers brought out and handed to EPS at the end of the day, and his subsequent teary reaction. Rough news!

The show was performed with cracking authority – EPS must have really been putting the symphony members through their paces. Color me impressed with the performance! I'm not quite so enthusiastic about the repertoire, but there were plenty of moments that grabbed my attention, and I'd definitely go see Lisa Batiashvili again, especially in a recital setting. Good stuff!

Program Notes or program notes

Back to the previous event! ☸ Up to the 2024 yearbox! ☸ Up to the 2024 event list! ☸ On to the next event!