I'm thrilled to join the Steinway family as an official Steinway Artist. I've played Steinway pianos all my life, so being welcomed into this roster is a great honor. Read my Steinway Artist profile.
Constancy, for MTT
On October 2, I gave the world premiere of Michael Tilson Thomas's short piano solo Constancy at the San Francisco Symphony's concert honoring MTT. Writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, Joshua Kosman heard the piece grow from a spare, quizzical opening into a richly detailed dialogue: “In Wilson's exemplary performance, you could hear the music open out.” Read the full review.
My Fall at Davies Symphony Hall
The rest of my fall is spent almost entirely at Davies Symphony Hall with the San Francisco Symphony, and it's a wonderfully wide-ranging stretch. It continues October 29, when Elim Chan conducts John Adams's Doctor Atomic Symphony. On November 1, I'm back in the chamber series for Brahms's Clarinet Trio. Later in the month, Copland's Appalachian Spring returns, this time with Alonzo King LINES Ballet on stage. On November 23, I join Stephen Paulson and Symphony Parnassus for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23. Thanksgiving week brings two films played live to picture, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hook.
In January, I head across the Bay to Berkeley for the West Coast premiere of Caroline Shaw's piano concerto, Watermark, with Ming Luke and the Berkeley Community Chorus & Orchestra. The full calendar lives on my website.
If you're in the Bay Area this fall, I'd love to see you at Davies.
With gratitude,
John