San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala with Perlman

FORBES
9/9/2018

Guests of the SF Symphony opening gala / DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

“One of the most important elements in teaching, conducting, and performing, all three, is listening.” This timeless insight from virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman served as a fitting exercise for all opening night guests of the San Francisco Symphony last Wednesday, September 5th, which featured the legendary musician Perlman in its Season Gala conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. Four formal invitation-only dinners and an exquisite wine reception open to all ticket holders set the mood for an enjoyable evening of favorite classics and surprising re-discoveries.

The performance program covered diverse landscape of instrumental music from masterpieces by composers George Gershwin and Franz Liszt to theme scores from Academy Award landmarks such as Schindler’s List, Cinema Paradiso, Out of Africa, and Scent of a Woman. Students of the prestigious Perlman Music Program joined the maestro on stage for a special Bach concerto recital. The concert was broadcast live on Classical KDFC FM and streamed online, making music heritage and the work of the San Francisco Symphony ever-more accessible to the public.