Hail and farewell: MTT’s last Mahler in San Francisco

Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the San Francisco Symphony

Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony

Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the San Francisco Symphony

By Cameron Kelsall, 26 January 2024

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“although bittersweet, it felt like an appropriate bookend to a life’s work”

Reviewed at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco on 25 January 2024

Mahler, Symphony no. 5 in C sharp minor

Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor

San Francisco Symphony

Full symphonic grandeur from Salonen and the SF Symphony

Lois Silverstein, 6th October

Sayaka Shoji and Salonen remain in close dialogue in a riveting performance of Shostakovich's First Violin Concerto.

****1

Finnish footprints in San Francisco: Salonen conducts Sibelius

Lois Silverstein, 14th March

As the news breaks that Esa-Pekka Salonen will be leaving at the end of his San Francisco Symphony tenure, he conducts the music of his fellow Finn, Jean Sibelius.

****1

Bach-inspired Mendelssohn in San Francisco

Edward Sava-Segal, 17th February

An exquisite rendition of Mendelssohn's Lobgesang makes one wonder why the work is not part of the regular repertoire.

****1

MTT offers familiar and unfamiliar Stravinsky in San Francisco

Edward Sava-Segal, 29th September

In a program including both modernist and neoclassical works, Michael Tilson Thomas and the SFO emphasized the common traits characterizing Stravinsky's entire ouevre.

****1

A phenomenally multi-layered Mahler 3 in San Francisco

Theodora Serbanescu-Martin, 29th June

Michael Tilson Thomas, Sasha Cooke, and choristers from the Pacific Boychoir and San Francisco Chorus come together in a phenomenal performance of Mahler's all-encompassing Third Symphony.

*****

Finnish music matters

Hilary Stroh, 26th October

Vanska celebrates Finland's musical heritage with the San Francisco Symphony

***11

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Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.