Sofia Gubaidulina: San Francisco Residency

19th December 2008

Sofia Gubaidulina returns to the U.S. in February 2009 as the inaugural Phyllis C. Wattis composer-in-residence at the San Francisco Symphony. Three recent works will be performed during her residency. Kurt Masur conducts the SFS in the West Coast premiere of The Light of the End on February 18, a work he premiered with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2003. In a chamber concert on February 22, members of the San Francisco Symphony will unveil a new work Gubaidulina has arranged for them expressly for this occasion: Repentance for cello, 3 guitars and double bass. The final concert is an eagerly anticipated event: On February 26, under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter will present the American premiere of the concerto written for her in 2007, In tempus praesens. Critics have been unanimously glowing in their reviews of Gubaidulina’s most distinctive work in recent years, describing the concerto as “luminous and deeply expressive,” “fervent and gripping.” Mutter’s new recording of Gubaidulina’s concerto on Deutsche Grammophon has shot to the top of classical releases.

Sofia Gubaidulina
The Light of the End 26'
4(afl,pic).1+ca+heck.2+bcl.2+cb/
4.3.1+btbn+cbtbn.1/
5perc/hp/str(min20.18.14.14.12)

Repentance
3gtr/vc.db

In tempus praesens 33'
Violin; 4(pic).3.4(bcl).4(cbn)/
3+3Wtba.3.4(btbn).1/6perc/
2hp.cel.amp hpd.pf/str(0.0.15.12.9)