Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony celebrate the orchestra´s 100th season with a free concert

Photo: MTT by Bill Swerbenski

 MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS AND THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY INVITE THE CITY TO CELEBRATE THE ORCHESTRA’S 100TH SEASON  WITH A FREE BIRTHDAY BASH CONCERT IN CIVIC CENTER PLAZA SEPTEMBER 8

Guest artist Lang Lang joins the celebrations  Free birthday treats from La Boulange Café & Bakery and Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shops. Free SFS Centennial History Exhibition at San Francisco Public Library opens on September 8

SAN FRANCISCO, August 10, 2011 – In celebration of its Centennial Season and as a gift to its city, the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) performs during a free Birthday Bash celebration in Civic Center Plaza on Thursday, September 8, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) conducts and pianist Lang Lang joins the 12:00 p.m. concert to help celebrate 100 years of the San Francisco Symphony serving as a Bay Area cultural, educational, and civic institution. The celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Classical KDFC’s Rik Malone hosting pre-concert festivities from the stage. Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shops will provide free chocolate squares to attendees, while supplies last, as well as free ice cream sundaes to the first 100 guests. A selection of San Francisco’s iconic Off the Grid food trucks will be on hand for guests to purchase a picnic-style lunch to enjoy during the concert. La Boulange Café & Bakery will also provide surprise birthday treats for Birthday Bash attendees. Neighboring arts organizations will have tents set up around a balloon-lined Civic Center Plaza showcasing the vibrant arts community in the Civic Center area. At the 12:00 p.m. concert, Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the San Francisco Symphony in a program that includes Lang Lang performing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major and Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. The audience will be treated to additional musical and birthday surprises throughout the event.  The concert and pre-concert activities are generously supported by The James Irvine Foundation.  As Birthday Bash Sustainability Partner, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will contribute solar energy to power the sound system, as well as reusable water bottles for attendees, while supplies last.  Also on September 8, a free exhibition titled Music for a City, Music for the World: 100 Years with the San Francisco Symphony opens at the San Francisco Main Library, showcasing historical objects and documents from the Symphony’s first 100 years. Organized by SFS Archivist Joe Evans and on display in the Jewett Gallery, the exhibition tells the story of the Symphony and its role within and impact on its city, from its formative years following the 1906 earthquake to its present position as one of the country’s most respected orchestras. The exhibition presents historic objects and documents drawn from the Symphony’s archival collections, including photos, concert posters, and programs, most exhibited for the first time. Music for a City, Music for the World: 100 Years with the San Francisco Symphony runs from September 8, 2011 through January 9, 2012.

The Centennial Opening Night Gala and these events kick off the San Francisco Symphony’s 2011-2012 Centennial season, an ambitious eleven-month calendar of concerts, programs, events, expanded education programs and Centennial media initiatives. The Orchestra’s 100th season celebrates the American orchestra and its vibrant role in its community as an artistic leader and civic institution.

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY FREE CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY BASH  Thursday, September 8 at 11:30 am. Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco. Polk Street between Grove and McAllister Streets

Michael Tilson Thomas conductor

Lang Lang piano

San Francisco Symphony

Program to include:

Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major

Britten The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Opus 34

11:30 a.m. Pre-Concert Festivities 12:00 p.m. Free Concert

Celebrations begin at 11:30 a.m., with Classical KDFC’s Rik Malone hosting pre-concert festivities from the stage. Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shops and La Boulange Café & Bakery will provide free birthday treats to attendees, while supplies last. A selection of San Francisco’s iconic Off the Grid food trucks will be on hand for guests to purchase lunch. The audience will be treated to additional musical and birthday surprises throughout the event. Neighboring arts organizations will have tents set up around Civic Center Plaza showcasing the vibrant arts community in the Civic Center area. This is a free outdoor concert. No tickets are required. ADA seating will be available.

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY FREE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION. MUSIC FOR A CITY, MUSIC FOR THE WORLD: 100 YEARS WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY

Thursday, September 8, 2011 through Monday, January 9, 2012

San Francisco Public Library - Jewett Gallery

100 Larkin Street, San Francisco

Free admission

Organized by San Francisco Symphony Archivist Joe Evans and on display in the Jewett Gallery at the Main Library, Music for a City, Music for the World: 100 Years with the San Francisco Symphony tells the story of the Symphony and its role within and impact on its city, from its formative years following the 1906 earthquake to its present position as one of the country’s most respected orchestras. The exhibition presents historic objects and documents drawn from the Symphony’s archival collections, including photos, concert posters, and programs, most exhibited for the first time.