Openings at San Francisco Symphony

Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall

Photo by Lisa Hirsch

You might recall that San Francisco Symphony had an unusual number of retirements last season and this, for reasons that surely include existing plans, the pandemic, and - who knows? - a new music director coming in. In addition, principal cellist Michael Grebanier died at 82 after a period of ill health. (See the links below for my previous comments on this.)

If you want to follow along with the audition process, the organization's audition page is public and always contains interesting information; I once tipped off a couple of people about a not-yet-announced retirement because I spotted a planned audition. The page is here. As you can see, the preliminary and semi-final rounds of the principal flute and principal cello auditions have been held, with the final rounds coming soon. 

Watch for guest artists in those chairs, because typically the final candidates get a week of playing with the orchestra to see how they work with Salonen, members of their section, the concertmaster, etc. And how they sound with the orchestra. (Noting that there have been guests in the first flute chair at the last two concerts - I believe different flutists - but I do not know whether they are regular guests or auditioning. Ya gotta have flutes in the flute section, after all. But I did not see anyone unfamiliar playing first cello, because Peter Wyrick and Amos Yang are both fully able to fill that seat.)

Previously:

• Retirements, Many of Them, at San Francisco Symphony
  
• Further Thoughts on SFS Retirements