High resolution photos of SoundBox are available for download from the SoundBox online press kit.
SOUNDBOX: A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE MUSIC
“SoundBox succeeds on every level, both demographically and artistically…
And yes, it’s the coolest thing on the block” - KQED
SoundBox is the San Francisco Symphony’s experimental performance venue and late-night live music series taking
place backstage at Davies Symphony Hall in Hayes Valley, San Francisco. Embarking on its third season in December
2016, SoundBox welcomes culturally-adventurous listeners to evenings of eclectic musical exploration and discovery in
an out-of-the-box setting. Each SoundBox performance is a unique sensory experience encompassing shifting stage
settings, art installations, projection screens, and unexpected surprises. SoundBox performances invite audiences to
enjoy music an intimate and casual environment while enjoying hand-crafted cocktails and gourmet snacks from the inhouse bar, for a ticket price of only $45.
“SoundBox is an experimental space for all kinds of music,” SFS Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas explains. “Part of
the experience of being in this space is to hear music of many diverse musical eras, from the earliest Gregorian chants,
going back to the ninth century, to the most recent music, which is being written as we speak! The concerts are
programmed by different musicians of different generations and very different priorities. To have a space in which the
audience and musicians can explore this huge swath of music together is something I’ve always dreamed of, and now we
have it.”
SoundBox launched in December 2014, and both of its first two seasons witnessed ten sold-out shows and overwhelming
critical acclaim. “San Francisco has a superb new performance venue for music…[the] tremendous opening event of
SoundBox…was as exciting for what it offered as for what it promised,” wrote Joshua Kosman in the San Francisco
Chronicle. Georgia Rowe, reviewer for the Bay Area News Group called it a “thrilling debut,” writing, “the classical music
establishment has been wringing its hands for years, trying to figure out how to attract younger audiences. They can stop
now. Michael Tilson Thomas has found the solution.” SoundBox has subsequently made the “Best of San Francisco” lists
of both San Francisco Magazine and 7x7.com.
One of the keystone elements of SoundBox has been the acoustic transformation of a 7,600 square foot rehearsal space
adjacent to Davies Symphony Hall into an imaginative performance venue through use of the Meyer Sound Constellation
system. With Constellation, composers and conductors select from different acoustic environments for each musical
piece—and can custom program a completely new environment if desired. The use of this acoustic sound system
provides ultimate versatility and accommodates a variety of musical styles and ensembles within one performance
evening.
During its first two seasons, SoundBox shows have featured a wide mix of SFS musicians and have been curated by a
variety of artists, including Michael Tilson Thomas, the SF Symphony percussion section, the SF Symphony Chorus and
Director Ragnar Bohlin, composers Nathaniel Stookey and Samuel Adams, conductor Edwin Outwater, performance artist
Meow Meow, and the LA-based artist collective CHROMATIC. Themes have included the French avant-garde, 1960s
California counter-culture, technology in new music, cabaret culture of the Weimar era, and more.
SoundBox is located at 300 Franklin Street at Hayes Street, and accommodates approximately 500 people, some seated
and some standing. The venue offers an alternative to that of the traditional concert hall experience. The space is
designed for general admission seating with banquettes, ottomans, barstools, café tables, and high top cocktail tables.
SoundBox has a full bar serving specialty cocktails and gourmet bar bites for enjoyment during the performances.
Audience members can access more information on the works performed during each concert on the SoundBox App,
available on iPhone and Android. The doors open at 8pm for each event, with the music beginning at 9pm.
SoundBox images are available in the online press kit. Television segments on SoundBox have also been aired
by PBS NewsHour, Associated Press, and CBS This Morning.
2016–17 SOUNDBOX DATES
SoundBox is located at 300 Franklin Street at Hayes
All shows begin at 9pm | Doors open 8pm
General Admission | Limited Seating | Tickets: $45
MTT Curates and Hosts Pacific Harmonies: a Lou Harrison Centennial Celebration
Friday, December 9, 2016
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Michael Tilson Thomas conductor and curator
Eva Soltes music consultant and filmmaker
Adam Larsen video designer
Luke Kritzeck lighting designer
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
Members of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus
Throughout the program, selections from the documentary film LOU HARRISON: A World of Music by Eva Soltes will be
screened to contextualize and enhance the live musical performance.
Eva SOLTES
Selections from LOU HARRISON: A World of Music
HARRISON
Kyrie from Mass to St. Anthony [original 1939 version]
SOLTES
Selections from LOU HARRISON: A World of Music
HARRISON
Concerto No. 1 for Flute and Percussion
I.
Earnest, fresh and fastish
II.
Slow and poignant
III.
Strong, swinging and fastish
HARRISON
Canticle No. 3
INTERMISSION I
Eva SOLTES
Selections from LOU HARRISON: A World of Music
HARRISON
Selections from Suite for Cello and Harp
I.
Chorale
IV.
Aria
V.
Chorale (Reprise)
Eva SOLTES
Selections from LOU HARRISON: A World of Music
HARRISON
Selections from Pacifika Rondo
I.
The Family of the Court
IV.
In Sequoia’s Shade
VI.
A Hatred of the Filthy Bomb
VII.
From the Dragon Pool
INTERMISSION II
Eva SOLTES
Selections from LOU HARRISON: A World of Music
HARRISON & DEE
Selections from Suite for Violin and American Gamelan
I.
Threnody
II.
Estampie
V.
Chaconne
Eva SOLTES
Selections from LOU HARRISON: A World of Music
HARRISON
Selections from Concerto for Organ with Percussion Orchestra
IV.
Canons and Choruses (Moderato)
VI.
Allegro (Finale)
DJ and Composer Mason Bates and Conductor Edwin Outwater Co-Curate Macro/Micro
Friday, January 20, 2017
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Mason Bates and Edwin Outwater co-curators
Luke Kritzeck lighting designer
Adam Larsen video designer
Part I – Horizons
All works in this act share a common “horizon line” on the video screens, which will evolve between: a bleak Alaskan
tundra, a sunrise in the Age of Enlightenment, an English meadow at midday, and a Hawaiian sunset.
HAYDN
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Christopher ROUSE
Adagio-Allegro from Symphony No. 6, “Le Matin”
Edwin Outwater, conductor
Members of the San Francisco Symphony [chamber orchestra]
“Bredon Hill” from On Wenlock Edge
Edwin Outwater, conductor
William Ferguson, tenor
Members of the San Francisco Symphony [strings and piano]
Ku-Ka-Ilimoku
Members of the San Francisco Symphony [percussion ensemble]
INTERMISSION I
Part II – South America
The works in this act depict different treatments of South American environments, contrasting between folk scenes and
mythology.
Gabriela Lena FRANK
Selections from Milagros
IV. Milagrito—Danza de Tingo María
V. Milagrito—Sombras de Amantaní
Members of the San Francisco Symphony [string quartet]
GOLIJOV
“Lúa descolorida”
Edwin Outwater, conductor
Marnie Breckenridge, soprano
Members of the San Francisco Symphony [String orchestra]
Gabriela Lena FRANK
Selections from Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout
IV. Chasqui
VI. Coqueteos
Members of the San Francisco Symphony [string quartet]
INTERMISSION II
Part III – Technology and Biology
During the intermission prior to the third act, we will move from the earth into space, with field recordings of “techno”
insect sounds and sounds of the Voyager I satellite leaving Earth. Part III begins with works by Bach featured on the
Golden Record aboard Voyager I, followed by “Greetings to the Universe” from the children of Earth. This evolves into
Mason Bates’ Rise of Exotic Computing, which depicts the development of computer circuitry based on the architecture of
the human brain.
J.S. BACH
Gavotte en rondeau from Partita No. 3 in E Major for solo violin, BWV 1006
J.S. BACH
Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C major from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2, BWV 870
Robin Sutherland, keyboard
[Recorded Interlude: Greetings from the Children of Earth from Voyager I]
Mason BATES
The Rise of Exotic Computing
Edwin Outwater, conductor
Mason Bates, laptop
Members of the San Francisco Symphony [chamber orchestra]
John Adams Curates: Emergent
*presented in conjunction with SFS celebrations of John Adams’s 70th Birthday
Friday, February 10, 2017
Saturday, February 11, 2017
John Adams curator and host
Christopher Rountree conductor
Seth Reiser lighting designer
Adam Larsen video designer
Mark Grey sound designer
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
Additional artists to be announced
John ADAMS
Hallelujah Junction
Orli Shaham and Molly Morkoski, pianos
Andrew NORMAN
Try
For chamber orchestra
Christopher Roundtree, conductor
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
INTERMISSION I
John ADAMS
Selections from John’s Book of Alleged Dances
For string quartet and pre-recorded audio
Rag the Bone
Dogjam
Pavane: She’s So Fine
Toot Nipple
Judah to Ocean
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
Jacob COOPER
Ripple the Sky
For voice, string octet, and live sound augmentation
Christopher Rountree, conductor
Jonathan Woody, vocalist
Mark Grey, live sound
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
INTERMISSION II
Ashley FURE
Shiver Lung
For amplified vocalists and instrumental ensemble
Amy Foote and Danielle Reutter Harrah, vocalists
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
John ADAMS
Ragamarole
Robin Sutherland, piano
Christian Reif Curates: Rebel
Friday, March 17, 2017
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Christian Reif, curator, conductor and piano
Catherine Cook, soprano
Davóne Tines, baritone
Adam Larsen, video designer
Seth Reiser, lighting designer
Program Concept: artists respond to censorship and oppression
Part I: Weimar Germany
WEILL (arr. Jekabson)
“Cannon Song” from The Threepenny Opera
Christian Reif, conductor
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
HINDEMITH
Selections from Kleine Kammermusik für 5 Bläser, Op. 24,
No. 2 (7’)
II. Waltzer
III. Ruhig und einfach
HARTMANN
Allegro di molto From Concerto funebre
Christian Reif, conductor
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
INTERMISSION I
Part II: Shostakovich in Soviet Russia
SHOSTAKOVICH
Andante from Five Fragments, Op. 42
Christian Reif, conductor
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
SHOSTAKOVICH
Selections from Satiri [Satires], Op. 109
I. To a critic
III. Descendants
Catherine Cook, soprano
Christian Reif, piano
SHOSTAKOVICH
Largo from Five Fragments, Op. 42
Christian Reif, conductor
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
SHOSTAKOVICH
The Kreutzer Sonata from Satiri [Satires], Op. 109
Catherine Cook, soprano
Christian Reif, piano
SHOSTAKOVICH
Selections from Symphony No. 14, Op. 135
VIII. Zaporozhye Cossacks Reply to the Sultan of Constantinople
IX. O Delvig, Delvig!
Christian Reif, conductor
Davóne Tines, baritone
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
[Note: this work is still pending final approval]
INTERMISSION II
Part III: Contemporary America
George CRUMB
Selections from Black Angels
Devil-music (solo)
Danse Macabre (duo)
Pavana Lachrymae (trio)
Threnody II: Black Angels! (tutti)
Julius EASTMAN
Excerpt from Gay Guerilla [transcribed for strings by Peter Grunberg]
Christian Reif, conductor
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
Caroline SHAW
“I’ll Fly Away” from By and By
Davóne Tines, baritone
Jessie MONTGOMERY
Excerpt from Banner
Christian Reif, conductor
Members of the San Francisco Symphony
SFS Principal Trombone Tim Higgins Curates
Friday, April 14, 2017
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Additional programming will be announced at a later date