Welcome the season with Stravinsky's riot-inducing masterpiece, no really, the dramatic piece saluting the spring caused otherwise genteel audiences to descend into near chaos on its 1913 premiere. Fortunately, the young Stravinsky's genius was recognized soon after and this avant-garde tempest still remains his most popular and influential works. Susanna Malkki returns to the the San Francisco Symphony to lead this unmissable recital.

Taking his inspiration from Russian and Lithuanian folk music from history and ancient pagan customs, The Rite of Spring was written for Ballet Russes 1913 season. Since its scandalous debut the work has been revived endlessly, both as a ballet and as a stand alone piece.

PROGRAM

Stravinsky Scherzo Fantastique
Beethoven Piano Concerto No.1
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring