San Francisco Symphony

Save the date: The SF Symphony's Opening Gala is September 24! Superstar violinist Hilary Hahn takes the stage with conductor Giancarlo Guerrero and the San Francisco Symphony in a celebratory program to kick off the new season. Enjoy a spectacular evening with a complimentary preconcert reception, an extraordinary program featuring violinist Hilary Hahn, and an after-party with a live DJ and cocktails available for purchase, open until 9:30pm.

The SF Symphony is thrilled to announce that Christopher Thompson is the winner of the sixth annual Emerging Black Composers Project (EBCP) prize! The Symphony will give the world premiere of his commissioned work during the 2027–28 season. 🎉 Congratulations Christopher! Learn more about the Emerging Black Composers Project: https://bit.ly/4qnLaUr 📷: Ricky A. Richardson

With the close of the 2025–26 season, we bid farewell to three veteran musicians retiring from the SF Symphony after a combined 117 years of service! Yun Jie Liu, Associate Principal Viola, joined the Symphony in 1993; Stephen Paulson was Principal Bassoon from 1977 to 2024, before stepping into the Associate Principal Bassoon role in the 2024–25 season; and Jonathan Ring joined the horn section in 1991. We thank these wonderful musicians for their many contributions to the SF Symphony and we wish them well.

Scenes from Elim Chan’s first month as SF Symphony Music Director Designate. A new chapter begins 🫶 #SFSymphony #ChanFrancisco

“Elim Chan rose to the night’s three-point challenge. One, to win the hearts of her new city’s audience. Two, to establish a continuum with the symphony’s past. And three, to plant herself artistically and make a statement of her own.”

"A big thing of mine is how to get people who have never listened to classical music, who think that they are not educated enough, or they feel they’re not comfortable enough," Elim Chan said. "We are going to take all those reasons out. Because coming to the symphony is so cool.” https://lnkd.in/gnfEf99C

Join us in welcoming Elim Chan as the 13th Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony! A vibrant and imaginative podium presence, her remarkable career trajectory has seen high-profile repeat engagements across the world. She makes her first appearances as Music Director Designate June 5–6, conducting a program of works by Wagner, Debussy, and Berlioz, with mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke. Chan begins her term as Music Director with the 2027–28 season. Learn more: sfsymphony.org/elimchan. © Unitel blue; performance footage courtesy of the Munich Philharmonic https://lnkd.in/gP73qFse

"After one of the world’s most remarkable careers in classical music, Thomas died Wednesday at age 81, at his home. The phrase “surrounded by loved ones” usually conjures images of family around a bedside. I like to imagine the entire population of San Francisco surrounding him. Because, my goodness, he showed us how to love music, which is to say how to love the world, and each other." —Gabe Meline, KQED

"Throughout it all, Thomas remained committed to an aesthetic of spontaneity, freedom and exploration. His performances of even a well-worn score could vary subtly from night to night, and widely from year to year. He remained open—and encouraged his musical collaborators to remain open—to the rewards of sudden inspiration." Joshua Kosman remembers Michael Tilson Thomas's life and legacy in the San Francisco Chronicle. https://lnkd.in/gb5CCVqj

With deep sorrow, we share that our beloved Music Director Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas passed away on April 22 at age 81. Throughout his remarkable career, MTT approached music with an inspiring blend of eagerness, curiosity, and joy. Over 25 years as Music Director (1995–2020), he redefined what the San Francisco Symphony could be through memorable recordings, inventive festivals and staged performances, and far-reaching tours. Just as meaningful were the deep relationships he built here, both artistically and personally. As he shared at his 80th birthday celebration, “The future resides in the hearts and souls of the people who are listening to our music. We must continually work to make a place where all feel they are welcome.” The San Francisco Symphony will dedicate the June 18, 20–21 performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to Michael Tilson Thomas. Plans for a special concert in celebration of his life and lasting impact will be shared at a later date.