Tilson Thomas Conducts Stravinsky's Seminal Works
Following the breakthrough success of his Firebird Suite, Russian classical icon Igor Stravinsky capitalised on his success as one of early 1900s Paris' most revered musical forces and produced Petruska and The Rite of Spring in 1911 and 1913 respectively. The rousing, virtuosic works would become his most famous, propelling him into the stratosphere as one of the world's most important and influential composers. Michael Tilson Thomas leads the San Francisco Symphony through both of these seminal pieces, as well as the maestro's Violin Concerto during the ensemble's two-week long Stravinsky Festival this fall.
The program begins with Petrushka, a ballet burlesque based on the popular puppet/jester character of Russian folklore. Its vivid theatricality and earthy vitality are followed by Stravinsky's Violin Concerto, which features world renowned violinist Leonidas Kavakos, a performer of rare quality and superb musicianship. Last but by no means least, the evening closes with The Rite of Spring, a groundbreaking ballet regarded as an epochal landmark thanks to its complex technical innovations and the rush of its primal, elemental energy.