Denève Conducts Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony

Conductor Stéphane Denève joins the San Francisco Symphony for an extraordinary program featuring two powerhouses of the French symphonic organ tradition, performed by Olivier Latry. Poulenc's Organ Concerto was inspired by the intricate organ fantasies of Buxtehude, Bach, and other Baroque composers. "This is not the happy-go-lucky Poulenc," he confessed in a letter, "but a Poulenc en route to the cloister--a 15th-century Poulenc, if you like." Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony has been a hit with audiences since 1886, when the composer led the Royal Philharmonic Society in its world premiere. His writing for the organ--quietly shaded at first, commanding later--is the perfect showcase for Davies Symphony Hall's magnificent Ruffatti Organ.


Artists

Stéphane Denève
Conductor

Olivier Latry
Organ

San Francisco Symphony

Program

Guillaume Connesson
Flammenschrift
First SF Symphony Performances

Francis Poulenc
Organ Concerto

Camille Saint-Saëns
Symphony No. 3, Organ