Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen and the San Francisco Symphony launched their 2023– 24 season with a celebratory opening weekend featuring the Opening Night Gala concert on September 22 and All San Francisco concert on September 23.
Both concerts featured Salonen and the Orchestra in an exhilarating program interweaving music and technology, all highlighted with cutting-edge lighting and video projections created by 59 Productions.
The program also includes Anders Hillborg’s Rap Notes, featuring rappers squaring off against artificial intelligence-generated verse in a piece highlighting both human creativity and technological prowess.
The Symphony was joined by Oakland-based musician, educator, and activist Kev Choice; conceiver and creator of Freestyle Love Supreme Anthony Veneziale (Two-Touch); and soprano Hila Plitmann for these performances.
Salonen and the Orchestra closed the program with Maurice Ravel’s captivating and hypnotic Boléro.
Proceeds from the Opening Night Gala directly support the Symphony’s acclaimed education, community, and artistic programs.