San Francisco Symphony Cancels Remainder of Season

Davies Symphony Hall

Photo by me

Sigh: I figured this was coming. Among other things, SFS canceled the upcoming auditions for principal cello and principal flute.

I think you can safely assume that San Francisco Opera is next, although given that their scheduled performances aren't until April and May, they might wait to cancel. In addition, maybe the concert performances by Irene Theorin and Lianna Haroutounian can be done as virtual performances. They're terrific singers and I'd pay to see them.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—The San Francisco Symphony today announces the cancellation of all concerts through June 30, 2021 due to COVID-19. “While it is deeply disappointing to have to cancel the remainder of the planned concerts in our 2020-21 Season, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 make it clear that this is the best course of action for the Symphony at this time,” says San Francisco Symphony CEO Mark C. Hanson. “By canceling these performances, we are able to turn our full attention to investing in the creation of compelling and timely digital content and experiences that both fit within required safety guidelines and take advantage of them as a catalyst for innovation. As we look ahead to 2021, we will continue to take a flexible, collaborative approach to identifying areas of opportunity, and planning meaningful projects that serve our community and excite our audiences.” New digital programming for January–June 2021 will be announced at a later date. Should live concerts in Davies Symphony Hall become possible, the San Francisco Symphony will announce new performances accordingly. 

UPCOMING DIGITAL CONTENT & EVENTS

On November 14, the San Francisco Symphony presents Throughline: San Francisco Symphony—From Hall to Home, a free concert event that reflects the forward-looking creativity of the SF Symphony and the vibrant personalities of the Bay Area and beyond, featuring Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, all eight Collaborative Partners, and musicians of the SF Symphony. The one-hour concert program is anchored by the world premiere of Throughline by SF Symphony Collaborative Partner Nico Muhly, commissioned by the Symphony for this occasion, as well as music by Ellen Reid, John Adams, Kev Choice, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Throughline: San Francisco Symphony—From Hall to Home will broadcast locally on November 14 at 7pm PST on KQED Public Television and simultaneously stream worldwide at sfsymphony.org, where it will remain for on-demand viewing. The program will re-broadcast on NBC Bay Area on Monday, November 30 at 7pm PST. 

On Saturday, December 5, the San Francisco Symphony presents a festive virtual Deck the Hall celebration hosted by conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, marking the event’s 40th anniversary with a program of holiday music and audience sing-alongs. The program includes selections from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and holiday favorites, arranged for string quartet; Harry Simeone’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, narrated by NBC Bay Area news anchor Raj Mathai and conducted by Wattis Foundation Music Director of the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra Daniel Stewart; and more, featuring musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, organist Jonathan Dimmock, members of the SF Symphony Chorus directed by Ragnar Bohlin, and the San Francisco Boys Chorus directed by Eric Choate and Todd Jolly. The concert program will broadcast on December 5 at 3:30pm on NBC Bay Area; December 6 at 11:30am on Telemundo 48, and will be available for on-demand streaming at sfsymphony.org.

All four video episodes of the San Francisco Symphony’s digital CURRENTS series, which have been released since the series launched in July 2020, are being televised throughout the fall on NBC Bay Area or on Spanish language companion station Telemundo 48. Hosted and curated by conductor Michael Morgan and members of the San Francisco Symphony, the CURRENTS series explores the intersection of classical music with other musical cultures, illuminating the connections and ways that they influence each other and evolve together. Bay Area Blue Notes, focusing on freedom and expression in Jazz, will broadcast November 28 on NBC Bay Area at 3:30pm; and Enter the Pipa, which looks at stories, sounds, and traditions of San Francisco’s Chinese community, will broadcast December 19 on NBC Bay Area at 3:30pm. ¡Viva México!, exploring Mexico’s multi-generational musical culture, and From Scratch, exploring art and activism in Oakland’s Hip Hop culture, have already aired and are available for on-demand streaming at sfsymphony.org/currents. 

Finally, the SF Symphony’s popular 1:1 Concert series has increased in frequency from one afternoon a week to two days a week. Now accommodating sixteen audience members weekly at Davies Symphony Hall, the Symphony plans to add a third set of weekly 1:1 Concerts in an additional location in Fall 2020.

These intimate concerts are shared only by one performer from the San Francisco Symphony and one audience member at a time, with the musical selections chosen by each performer and announced in person. The performances last 20–30 minutes and take place on the two outdoor terraces on the Orchestra Lobby level at Davies Symphony Hall. Members of the public may visit sfsymphony.org/OnetoOne for more information and to sign up for the opportunity to attend 1:1 Concerts.