SF Symphony w/ van Zweden Conducts “Beethoven’s Fifth” w/ (Jan. 11-13)

Two Fifths: two symphonic triumphs. Beethoven’s Fifth represents the human capacity for heroism in the face of adversity—or, as he put it, “through suffering to joy.” Shostakovich’s Fifth was a huge hit, and kept him alive and out of the Gulag, but it’s too slippery and ambivalent to function as triumphalist propaganda.

Featuring guest conductor Jaap van Zweden

• [Open Rehearsal only] Learn more about this program in a pre-concert talk hosted by Scott Foglesong, presented from the stage one hour before the Open Rehearsal on January 11, 2024. Free to all ticketholders.

Holidays With The Symphony

Thursday 11/30 & Fri 12/1 – The Nightmare Before Christmas – the SF Symphony performs Danny Elfman’s delightfully quirky score live with the film on the big screen (7:30p)

Sunday, 12/3 – Deck the Hall – Holiday favorites and singalongs for families. (11a + 3p performances)

Tuesday, 12/5 & Wednesday 12/6 – Cirque Nutcracker – Troupe Vertigo’s acrobats, jugglers, and high-flying aerialists delight the imagination in a program set to Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. (7:30p)

Friday, 12/8 & Saturday 12/9 – Handel’s Messiah – A Musical meditation on Christ’s birth, life, and resurrection—and his message of redemption. (7:30p)

Sunday, 12/10 – Peter And The Wolf – Prokofiev’s tale of a boy and his animal friends’ bravery is brought to life by the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra and guest narrator Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants. (2:00p)

Sunday, 12/10 – A Merry-achi Christmas – Experience a multicultural celebration as the ensemble sings and plays holiday favorites from both Mexico and America. (8:00p)

Wednesday. 12/13 & Thursday, 12/14 – The Colors of Christmas – The star-studded Colors of Christmas returns to the San Francisco Symphony. (7:30p)

Friday, 12/15 – Holiday Gaiety – Naughty fun is guaranteed with this adult-themed holiday variety show hosted by conductor Edwin Outwater and drag legend Peaches Christ, featuring drag performer Bianca Del Rio. (7:30p)

Wednesday 12/20–Saturday 12/23 – A Charlie Brown Christmas Live! – Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang are back at Davies Symphony Hall to bring this television classic to life! (7:30p + 2p performances)

Thursday, 12/21 – Holiday Brass – Feel the power and precision of the SF Symphony brass section as they fill Davies Symphony Hall with a festive mix of classical and popular holiday favorites. (7:30p)

Films with Live Orchestra

Thursday 11/30 & Fri 12/1 – The Nightmare Before Christmas – the SF Symphony performs Danny Elfman’s delightfully quirky score live with the film on the big screen (7:30p)

Saturday, 12/16 – Love Actually Film w/ Live Orchestra – Funny, irresistible, and heart-warming, don’t miss the twentieth anniversary of this holiday classic. (R) (7:30p)

Friday, 12/22 & Saturday 12/23 – Home Alone Film w/ Live Orchestra – See the beloved holiday hit on the big screen like you never have before, with John Williams’ exuberant score performed live by the San Francisco Symphony. (3p + 7:30p)

Thursday, 2/8 & Friday, 2/9 – Casino Royale – Daniel Craig stars as the legendary secret agent 007. Experience the SF Symphony performing the sensuous score of this spy thriller as the action unfolds on the big screen. (7:30p)

Saturday, 2/10 – Bugs Bunny at the Symphony – Watch the Looney Tunes gang in hilarious and unforgettable scenes on the big screen as the SF Symphony performs the reimagined classics of Rossini, Wagner, and more. (2:00pm)

More at the SF Symphony

Thursday, 1/11– Saturday, 1/13 – van Zweden Conducts Beethoven 5 – Beethoven’s Fifth represents the human capacity for heroism in the face of adversity—or, as he put it, “through suffering to joy.” (7:30p)

Soundbox Series

WHAT IS SOUNDBOX?
In the small entry room, you move past a curtain, through an unknown door. It’s like you scored a backstage pass. Time to explore.

Turn the corner, find the bar: there’s craft cocktails and small bites. Video projections flash on the walls. All eyes go to the stage, ready for the show to start.

And then the music. Pounding beats and otherworldly chants come from all corners of the space. Close your eyes: it sounds like you’re in a cathedral, and then an underground club. Unique and stimulating and totally different.

Friday, 12/8 & Saturday 12/9 – Soundbox eye, Sea, You are Here – You are here, present with intense love for the one planet we have. Violinist/singer/composer Mazz Swift engages us in a musical journey through land, sea, air, and ourselves.(8:30p)