The Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic (PS Phil) is proud to present its 50th Anniversary Season with a blockbuster list of world-renowned orchestras from the U.S. and U.K.
“We are thrilled to bring what is arguably one of the most exceptional orchestra series in our 50-year history to the Coachella Valley. Six of the world’s finest orchestras right here in Palm Desert. We are grateful to our loyal donors and subscribers, as it is their support that make this series possible,” said Dean Kauffman, PS Phil Board President.
Launching the series, will be the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by the celebrated Zubin Mehta (pictured) on Thursday, January 4 at 5:00 pm. The 86-year old legendary conductor, whose baton lead the very first concert presented by the PS Phil in 1974, continues to thrill audiences with his “Mehta Sound” – a musical style so bold and individual it requires a formal name. The program will include two Beethoven Symphonies, the “Eroica”and “Pastoral.”Next in the season is the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Tuesday, January 16 at 7:30 pm. Throughout its history, the RPO has attracted and collaborated with the most inspiring artists and in August 2021, the Orchestra was thrilled to welcome Vasily Petrenko as its new Music Director. The RPO is recognized as the UK’s most in-demand orchestra, an accolade that would have pleased Sir Thomas Beecham, who founded the Orchestra in 1946. Vasily Petrenko will be joined by 26-year old pianist and music sensation, Isata Kanneh-Mason (pictured), performing the Prokofiev Piano Concerto, No. 3. Kanneh-Mason is part of the celebrated British family of seven child prodigies – all exceptional musical talents who play piano, violin, cello or a combination of the instruments.
Pacific Symphony then returns on Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 pm with Carl St.Clair as Music Director and pianist Olga Kern. The concert will mark one of the last concerts with St.Clair at the podium as he has announced that he will step down as Music Director at the end of the 2024 season after a remarkable 30-plus years as music director. This memorable program will include the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3.
The San Diego Symphony will appear on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm. Venezuelan Music Director Rafael Payarewill bring his innate musicianship, charismatic energy and joyous spirit to the podium along with trumpeter Pacho Flores (pictured). Flores recently garnered First Prize in the “Maurice André” International Contest, the most renowned trumpet Contest in the world, as well as First Prize in the “Philip Jones” International Contest. The program will include a new trumpet concerto composed by Latin Grammy® nominated Gabriela Ortiz, one of the foremost composers in Mexico today.For the first time in its 50-year history, the PS Phil will present the Philadelphia Orchestra on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm with Nathalie Stutzmann (pictured), Principal Guest Conductor. Stutzmann is the new Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and only the second woman in history to lead a major U.S. orchestra.
The French conductor and contralto is considered one of the most outstanding musical personalities of our time. Charismatic musicianship, combined with unique rigor, energy and fantasy characterize her style. Performing with the orchestra will be Chinese pianist Haochen Zhang. He was a Gold Medalist and First Prize winner of the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009, becoming one of the youngest winners in the history of the competition.
Returning to the series for the first time in 15 years will be the San Francisco Symphony on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 7:30 pm. The San Francisco Symphony has won some of the world’s most prestigious recording awards, including: Japan’s Record Academy® Award, France’s Grand Prix du Disque, Britain’s Gramophone Award, and a bundle of Grammy® awards. This all-Sibelius concert will be conducted by Finnish Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen with special guest Lisa Batiashvili (pictured), the Georgian-born German violinist, who is praised by audiences and fellow musicians for her virtuosity. The Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic continues to be recognized as one of the premiere presenters of symphony orchestras in the U.S. Each season the Philharmonic brings a series of world-class symphony concerts to the beautiful 1,127 McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert and tends to fill the venue. The PS Phil’s 50th anniversary season continues to celebrate a legacy of great performances by national and international orchestras and conductors. The PS Phil also fosters music appreciation for local youth and encourages promising young musicians through scholarships, education, and instrument donation programs.
50th Anniversary Season
2023-24 Subscription Series
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Zubin Mehta, Conductor
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 “Pastoral”
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica”
Sponsored by Barbara Fremont
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Vasily Petrenko, Music Director
Isata Kanneh-Mason, Piano
Debussy: Danse (orch. by Ravel)
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
Sponsored by Jane & Larry Sherman, and Roberta Holland
Pacific Symphony
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Carl St.Clair, Music Director
Olga Kern, Piano
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor Op. 68
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
Sponsored by Norman Forrester & William Griffin
San Diego Symphony
Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Rafael Payare, Music Director
Pacho Flores, Trumpet
Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
Gabriela Ortiz: Altar de bronce Concerto for Trumpet
Ravel: La Valse
Debussy: Images
Sponsored by Helene Galen & Jamie Kabler,
The Nevinny Family, and Gail Richards
Philadelphia Orchestra
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Nathalie Stutzmann, Principal Guest Conductor
Haochen Zhang, Piano
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
Sponsored by Phyllis & Gary Schahet
San Francisco Symphony
Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Music Director
Lisa Batiashvili, Violin
Sibelius: Finlandia, Op. 26
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39
Sponsored by Bernice E. Green,
Douglas G. Stewart, and JoAnn G. Wellner
Tickets are sold on a subscription only basis with six concert packages available ranging from $485 to $730. In addition to the price of a subscription, the Board of Directors asks that every subscriber become a member of the PS Phil, by making an annual donation. It is only through the generosity of our patrons that we can bring the world’s finest orchestras to the Coachella Valley.Programs and artists are subject to change without notice and all concerts are held at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. For subscriptions, tickets and more information or ways to support Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, call760-341-1013 or visit www.PSPhil.org.