Previews

San Francisco Symphony’s new Phyllis C. Wattis Composer Residency program starts with two weeks devoted to the music of the Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina. The first of the programs features The Light of the End, which the composer herself describes as a dramatic work in which much of the drama arises from the nature of musical instruments themselves.

Music in Twelve Parts, written in 1974, was a breakthrough work for Philip Glass, a giant summing-up of his style and musical explorations to that point. The Philip Glass Ensemble, with the composer on keyboards, comes to San Francisco for the first live West Coast performance of this four-hour landmark in late-20th century music.

The TAGI ensemble, previously known to fans as the New York Lyric Chamber Players, is celebrated for their innovative programming that jumps around different genres. TAGI takes its name from the three Russian musicians: Tatiana Goncharova, piano; Grigory Kalinovsky, violin; and Igor Begelman, clarinet … with no word (or letter) on the Italian-born cellist Francesco Mastromatteo.

For a young (21-year-old) violinist, Chloë Hanslip has taken on some off-the-wall recording assignments. (John Adams’ Violin Concerto? Benjamin Godard’s?

The late James Schwabacher established a debut recital series 26 years ago, providing performance opportunities for young singers many of whom have gone on to great fame.

Allan Shearer’s new opera The Dawn Makers is based on the ancient Greek myth of Eos, goddess of the dawn and her human lover, Tithonys, who is made immortal but not eternally youthful. In this comic updating, the couple are joined by a pool man who knows enough to decline the offer of immortality, and two Valley girls who double as the horses of the Goddess’ chariot.

Years ago, Ruth Felt’s San Francisco Performances introduced a young violinist and pianist to the Bay Area. By now, Christian Tetzlaff and Leif Ove Andsnes are among the most acclaimed musicians in the world. The German violinist and Norwegian pianist are returning to Herbst Theatre for a much-anticipated concert, performing music by Janáček, Brahms, Mozart, and Schubert.

The Symphony’s annual family concerts on the occasion of the Lunar New Year are not only colorful celebrations of Chinese culture and music, they also present first-class talent. It was at one of these concerts that Yuja Wang, now a pianist superstar, made her San Franciso debut.