Two Dream Debuts: Philadelphia & San Francisco
Dear Friends,
I’m writing with a full heart after a remarkable few weeks: my Philadelphia Orchestra debut this month at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and my San Francisco Symphony debut last month at Davies Symphony Hall. Two dream podiums in one summer—I’m grateful beyond words, and energized for what’s ahead.
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Standing in front of the Philadelphians—the fabled "Philadelphia Sound" glowing under the SPAC night sky—was both humbling and electrifying. Renée Fleming and I reunited for her Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene program, with National Geographic’s cinematic visuals embracing the music. I could feel the orchestra leaning in with me, reacting to the smallest adjustment of breath, baton, eye, as we crafted long arcs and poignant phrases together. Bachtrack’s review captured the feeling from the hall: “the collective spirit of the moment was undeniably charming.”
Beyond this opportunity, what stays with me is the communion—musicians listening fiercely, audiences leaning forward, the hush between phrases. That, to me, is the whole point: when sound becomes story, and story becomes shared experience.
Watch SF Symphony's reel on Instagram highlighting my debut.
SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY
A week in San Francisco felt like a homecoming and a leap forward at once. With Time for Three, we dove into Mason Bates’s Silicon Hymnal, a triple concerto pulsing with electronica and groove; we framed it with Theofanidis’s Rainbow Body and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. The energy inside the hall was electric—players fearless, audience game—and I left the stage buzzing with the sense that American orchestral music is as adventurous and alive as ever.
To everyone who made these debuts possible—administrators, crew, donors, and, above all, the musicians—thank you. To those of you who traveled or simply sent a kind note: I felt your support.
WHAT’S NEXT
The momentum continues this fall. I open the season on September 13-14 with my beloved Memphis Symphony Orchestra (Tchaikovsky with Randall Goosby), kick off my second season as Music Director of the awesome Baltimore Chamber Orchestra on September 21 (with David Fung, piano), and then cross the Pacific for my Hong Kong Philharmonic debut with Renée Fleming (October 24-25). If you’re near any of these halls, I’d love to see you in the audience.
With gratitude,
Robert
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These aren’t just concerts. They are invitations to share in something sacred, something live and unrepeatable. I’d love for you to be part of it.