The San Antonio Philharmonic, freshly conducted by the acclaimed Jeffrey Kahane, has revealed its ambitious 2024-2025 lineup, promising a rich blend of classical institutions and contemporary zest, with a dash of local culture to boot. The announcement, held at the orchestra’s headquarters, featured Kahane switching languages effortlessly as a nod to San Antonio's diverse cultural backdrop, and according to the San Antonio Report, his Spanish speech was a heartfelt homage to "the realization of a dream" he's long nurtured.
In what's set to be a symphonic fiesta at the Majestic Theatre come June 2025, the "Selena Vive: The Music of Selena" concert series will marquee, piano maestro Kahane is showcasing his versatility not only as conductor but also as a performer in a spring recital of Bach's Goldberg Variations, meanwhile, the orchestra returns to First Baptist Church of San Antonio for most other performances, throwing a nod to historical figures such as Beethoven with his 9th symphony and cultural celebrations spanning from Dieciséis de Septiembre to Cinco de Mayo are also on the cards, across various city venues reported the San Antonio Express-News.
Touching down on both historic and living composers, Kahane's debut season doesn't shy away from spotlighting the unfairly overshadowed—like African American composer Florence Price in a Dreamweek-themed concert—and effortlessly weaves in the work of present-day maestros, such as Gabriela Lena Frank, our collective ear is in for a well-rounded symphonic journey through time.
Fan favorites are well-represented too, with the Philharmonic planning a grand crescendo featuring Mahler's "Resurrection" symphony in the final act, and Kahane told the San Antonio Report that the piece is "appropriate not only given the miraculous rising from the ashes of this orchestra,” but also its subtle nod to San Antonio's patron saint, making the Philharmonic's third season as symbolically rich as it is musically venturesome.
The string of concerts isn't just a feast for the seasoned classical aficionado—engagement with the youth through Young People’s Concerts and “Side-by-Side” performances intended to seat young musicians alongside seasoned pros promises to inject a dose of enthusiasm into San Antonio's upcoming generation of musical talent. As Kahane fittingly concluded in his unveiling, using “Ode to Joy” lyrics to stress democratic equality, it seems the Philharmonic under his lead will be diving headlong into a harmonious blend of universal appeal and equal representation, leaving no stone unturned in the celebration of music's boundless joy and unity.
