The San Francisco Symphony knows how to give the best to the best. The amazing program, September 24th, completely knocked us out, and that meant every seat was full of thrilled Music Lovers. The conductor, Giancarlo Guerrero, could not have been better.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – September 24 – Giancarlo Guerrero attends San Francisco Symphony’s 2026 Gala and Concert on September 24th 2026 at Davies Symphony Hall and Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography)

The concert opened with John Adams’ The Chairman Dances (1985). It is a favorite especially for those who find Adams’ minimalist and artful repetitious style exciting.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – September 24 – Hilary Hahn attends San Francisco Symphony’s 2026 Gala and Concert on September 24th 2026 at Davies Symphony Hall and Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall in San Francisco, CA (Photo – Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Opus 64 (1844) was the center, the plat de resistance, the experience we wished for forever. Hilary Hahn, she is beyond wonderful. I remember hearing her play a recital at Davies Symphony Hall years back. There were one or two comments that it was too perfect. But perfect is perfect, and Ms Hahn is. She plays from the brilliant technique, from Mendelssohn’s fullness, from her heart. She understands each note, and opens that experience to us, the audience. There are three movements, but Mendelssohn allows the movements to continue. A bassoon sustains between the first two movements, and it breathes with and for the orchestra and soloist between second and third. Mendelssohn takes hold on a river, the soloist stands on top steering the multitude of valuable assets. There are so many in music. There is everything that Mendelssohn and Hahn bring together; they make it one.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – September 24 – Atmosphere at San Francisco Symphony’s 2026 Gala and Concert on September 24th 2026 at Davies Symphony Hall and Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall in San Francisco, CA (Photo – David Zahrobsky for Drew Altizer Photography)

The Capriccio espagnol, Opus 34 (1887) by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, While Rimsky-Korsakov banded together to create a Russian style of serious music. However, the Spanish rhythms and music are able to adopt the Spanish sounds with the Russian sounds dancing at the side but still the Russian would stay. The conductor of this magical program was Giancarlo Guerrero. He brought so much to the whole program, and the Capriccio set the whole orchestra about to clap hands and strum guitars. The movements in this terrific piece also slide from one movement to the next. Maestro Guerrero physically dances on the podium and makes each instrument sing. The clarinet at the beginning; then the violins and cellos; English horn delights its melody; the flute opens the third movement when the woodwinds’ music lets them take off as though they are accompanying their own jumps. It is wonderfully happy music.

This Gala hit the mark. The audience in top hats and lovely gowns made it a festive start for San Francisco Symphony’s season, 2026-2027.

Thanks to the SFS for the photos.