San Francisco Symphony announces exciting 2025-26 season lineup

The San Francisco Symphony has announced its 2025-26 season, filled with exciting events despite the departure of music director Esa-Pekka Salonen. The new season will feature performances by 23 different guest conductors, including six who will be making their series debuts. The season starts on September 12, 2025, with a gala event. Guest conductor Jaap Van Zweden will lead the orchestra, featuring pianist Yuja Wang performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The program also includes works by John Adams and Respighi. A highlight of the upcoming season is a three-season cycle of Beethoven symphonies. The orchestra will perform Beethoven's second and seventh symphonies in February 2026. Other major works this season include Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7, Mahler’s Symphonies 1 and 9, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 8. The season will showcase new music as well. World premieres by Principal Trombone Timothy Higgins and Emerging Black Composers Project winner Tyler Taylor are scheduled. The season also includes U.S. premieres of pieces by composers Outi Tarkiainen and Jimmy López. Notable guest artists include violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianists Emanuel Ax, Seong-Jin Cho, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Vocal performances will feature several acclaimed artists as well. Subscriptions for the season went on sale on March 20, and single tickets will be available starting July 19. For more information, you can visit the Symphony's website or call their box office.