The Symphony Explores The Colorful Genius Of Debussy

One of the most prominent composers of the impressionistic movement, Claude Debussy wielded his pen like a paintbrush, splashing color and imagery across his orchestral arrangements in a way that had never been heard before. Michael Tilson Thomas, the San Francisco Symphony and special guest piano virtuoso Pierre-Laurent Aimard explore the classical icon's deeply expressive genius during an exciting Debussy-filled program this Spring.

The evening begins with Prelude To The Afternoon of A Faun, a symphonic poem that would become Debussy's most revelatory and popular work for its dreamlike quality and simultaneous stretching of traditional keys and tonalities to their breathtaking limits. Swirling with kinetic energy and flute-lead reveries tell the vivid tale of a mythical faun who falls into a sleep of kaleidoscopic dreams after becoming enchanted by passing nymphs and naiads. The program also includes Debussy's exquisite Nocturnes and technically demanding La Mer, as well as avant-garde 20th century composer Gyorgy Ligeti's rousing, rhythmically complex Concerto For Piano.