SF Phil Presents: Season of Titans

TWO TITANS. ONE ORCHESTRA. A LOT TO FEEL.

SF Philharmonic brings Tchaikovsky and Mahler to Herbst Theatre on October 3 for an evening of orchestral music with very little interest in playing it safe.

The program opens with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture — a work of cannons, brass, fanfares, and unabashed theatricality. Subtle? Not particularly. Glorious? Absolutely.

Then comes Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, a sprawling musical world that moves from distant birdsong and delicate strings to sweeping melodies, strange little detours, and a finale that seems determined to take the entire orchestra with it.

Together, these two Romantic-era giants make for an evening of huge orchestral color, dramatic contrasts, and music that is almost impossible to experience at full scale anywhere but a concert hall.

And this is a big orchestra: strings, winds, brass, percussion, and all the glorious sonic machinery that makes Mahler and Tchaikovsky such singular experiences live.

Come for the spectacle. Stay for the symphonic drama. Leave with your ears pleasantly overwhelmed.

And because this is Groupmuse Nights Out, you can experience it without the usual concert-hall price tag: tickets are available to our community at 33% off!

What's the music?