WFMT Orchestra Series

This Summer quarter of the WFMT Orchestra Series begins with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Elim Chan conducting a vibrant opening to our season with Jessie Montgomery’s Coincident Dances, painting a vivid auditory picture of New York City’s dynamic multicultural soundscape. Igor Levit brings his distinctive touch to George Gershwin’s Concerto in F, followed by Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances. This season also includes:

• Journey through Mozart’s musical genius as Gemma New conducts the elegant and complex Symphony No. 38, “Prague”, and Igor Stravinsky’s Danses concertantes. Paired with Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto featuring the refined clarinetist Boris Allakhverdyan.

• Experience the rich dialogues of Johannes Brahms’ Double Concerto with the sublime collaboration between violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and cellist Pablo Ferrández. Gustavo Dudamel guides the LA Phil through the youthful vigor of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 1, offering a majestic blend of melodic sweetness and fiery power.

• Thomas Adès and Kirill Gerstein deliver an audacious performance of Adès’ Concerto for Piano and Orchestra and Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, capturing the intensity and depth of these modern masterpieces. Adès also leads Ravel’s hauntingly beautiful La valse.

• Daniil Trifonov tackles the profound complexity of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, under the baton of Susanna Mälkki. This concert also features the U.S. premiere of Enno Poppe’s Fett, an innovative exploration of sound.

• Victor Wooten redefines the electric bass in his piece La Lección Tres, a pioneering blend of jazz and orchestral elements, which we will hear in this concert with the composer as soloist. This is also complemented by works from Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor all conducted by Thomas Wilkins.

• Explore the urban landscapes of John Adams’ City Noir, a nocturnal journey through Los Angeles, alongside the world premiere of Timo Andres’ Made of Tunes performed by pianist Aaron Diehl. This program captures the city’s eclectic, cinematic vibe with the includsion of Copland’s Quiet City.

• Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony emerges under Louis Langrée’s direction, featuring LA Phil’s own Joanne Pearce Martin, and the world premiere of Assemble from Jonathan Bailey Holland. The performance also includes Ravel’s intricate violin showpiece Tzigane as soloist Martin Chalifour and the whimsical Mother Goose Suite.

• Closing the season, Maria João Pires joins to perform the world premiere of Andreia Pinto Correia‘s Cortejo, with Gustavo Dudamel conducting a profound interpretation of Strauss’ Don Quixote with featured performers Robert deMaine and Teng Li.