Saint-Saëns Thundering Organ Symphony

Fresh off a performance at the BBC Proms Festival, the Pittsburgh Symphony opens the 2017-2018 Mellon Grand Classic season with John Adam’s jaunty Lollapalooza, in celebration of the groundbreaking former Pittsburgh Symphony Composer of the Year’s 70th birthday.  In honor of Manfred Honeck’s 10th Anniversary season, the Pittsburgh Symphony will premiere the first of three works written for the occasion, “…therefore choose life…,” by Israeli composer Boris Pigovat.  Christian Tetzlaff joins the symphony for Brahms’ fiery yet lyrical Violin Concerto.  The concert closes with Saint- Sa?ns massive “Organ Symphony,” showcasing the Pittsburgh Symphony’s full forces alongside the organ.  As Saint- Sa?ns said, "I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again.”