Charles Dutoit Conductor
Julian Rachlin Violin

Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 ("Classical")
Sibelius Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 7

Maestro Charles Dutoit ignites the start of his final season as chief conductor with the breathless "Classical" Symphony of Prokofiev. Beethoven's propulsive Seventh Symphony completes the program, which also features violinist Julian Rachlin in the shimmering Violin Concerto by Sibelius.

Vladimir Jurowski Conductor

Shostakovich Symphony No. 7 ("Leningrad")

Jurowski leads the massive symphonic forces of Shostakovich's "Leningrad"—the composer's powerful tribute to his beloved hometown under siege.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Yuja Wang Piano

Higdon Concerto for Orchestra
Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of
     Paganini, for piano and orchestra
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2
     ("Little Russian")

Yannick celebrates two great Philadelphia Orchestra premieres—Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (1934), which became one of the most famous works written in the 20th century, and Jennifer Higdon's Concerto for Orchestra (2002), one of the most successful works of the 21st century. It's Yannick, Jennifer Higdon, and the music of Philadelphia together in a remarkable partnership.

David Zinman Conductor
Choong-Jin Chang Viola

Torke Ash
Walton Viola Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 5

It's fate knocking at the door. The beginning four notes of Beethoven's Fifth are the most poignant ever written. David Zinman brings his own unique interpretive style to the work, including the brisk tempos Beethoven indicated, and a period-informed approach to orchestral sound. Walton's extremely challenging Viola Concerto will be in the virtuosic hands of Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Viola Choong-Jin Chang.

Herbert Blomstedt Conductor
Leif Ove Andsnes Piano

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3
Beethoven Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica")

Blomstedt is a leading interpreter of the works of Beethoven, presenting the triumphal "Eroica" Symphony and the noble Third Piano Concerto. These mark his first appearances with the Orchestra since 2006.

Nicola Luisotti Conductor
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg Violin

Bach/arr. Stokowski Chaconne,
     from Partita No. 2 for solo violin
Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1
Rimsky-Korsakov Sheherazade

The luminous orchestration of Sheherazade spins an ages-old Arabian tale. And an audience favorite since her Philadelphia Orchestra debut at age 10, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg performs the daring Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1, in Luisotti's Philadelphia Orchestra debut.

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos Conductor
Pepe Romero Guitar

Turina Danzas fantásticas
Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez,
     for guitar and orchestra
Palomo Andalusian Nocturnes,
     for guitar and orchestra
Ravel Bolero

Spanish guitar, flamenco rhythms, and thrilling orchestral colors. Frühbeck uniquely induces rousing scenes from his homeland of Spain.

James Conlon Conductor

Mozart Overtures to Don Giovanni,
     Idomeneo, and The Marriage of Figaro
Mozart Symphony No. 38 ("Prague")
Dvořák Symphony No. 7

Mozart was inspired by the beauty and culture of Prague nearly 100 years before Dvořák composed his profound and melodious Symphony No. 7. James Conlon joins the Orchestra, continuing a close friendship for the past 35 years.

Gilbert Varga Conductor
Yefim Bronfman Piano

Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture
Bartók Piano Concerto No. 2
Stravinsky Petrushka

Stravinsky's virtuosic score colorfully illustrates the charming tale of a puppet that comes to life and falls in love. Bronfman takes on the towering Bartók Second Piano Concerto, a demanding work for soloist and orchestra alike.