In World War II, the first four notes of Beethoven’s Fifth symbolized “V for victory,” a reference to Morse Code (• • • —)….And then came the music of Chuck Berry, Saturday Night Fever, Doctor Who, a video game, and Judge Judy, who all riffed off this same phrase. Using only four notes, Beethoven crafted a legendary musical hook which doesn’t just open his Fifth Symphony, it permeates nearly every bar for 35 glorious minutes. Come along with the San Francisco Symphony as we celebrate Beethoven250. The program begins with a thunderous and bluesy overture by Lithuanian composer Raminta Šerkšnytė (who ingeniously slips in a punchline that quotes Beethoven’s Fifth), while leading violinist Gidon Kremer promises to enrapture in Weinberg’s angular and lyric concerto.
Please note that the conductor for this program has changed. Mirga Gražinyté-Tyla has had to postpone her debut with the San Francisco Symphony due to maternity leave/family leave.