Overview

Program A (Feb 25): Schubert: Symphony No. 2 · Wagner: Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde · Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin
Program B (Feb 26): Schumann: Symphony No. 2 · Brahms: Symphony No. 2
Program C (Feb 27): Mahler: Symphony No. 6

Join us for a thrilling, once-in-a-generation musical voyage of discovery as the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs in the Bay Area for the first time in over 20 years!

For more than 160 years, the internationally recognized Vienna Philharmonic has been at the heart and soul of the best tradition of European classical music.

The Vienna Philharmonic is an integral part of a city rich with a history of important composers and performers. Countless historically defining musical personalities have described the orchestra in glowing terms. Bruckner called it "the most superior musical association"; Mahler claimed to be joined together with its members through "the bonds of musical art"; Wagner described it as "one of the most outstanding in the world"; and Richard Strauss summarized these sentiments by saying: "All praise of the Vienna Philharmonic reveals itself as understatement."

A world-class orchestra demands a world-class conductor, and we are delighted to welcome Semyon Bychkov to the podium to lead this residency. Maestro Bychkov has been an established and acclaimed presence on the international musical scene for almost three decades. His past collaborations with the Vienna Philharmonic have been celebrated for burnishing the lustrous tone of an orchestra already cherished for such qualities.

The Vienna Philharmonic's Berkeley residency offers a wonderful survey of beloved music from the Classical and Romantic eras to masterpieces of the 20th century. There are few ensembles that perform defining interpretations of this central repertoire—Schubert, Wagner, Bartók, Brahms, Schumann, and Mahler—so exquisitely. And it all culminates on Sunday afternoon, when the orchestra deploys its formidable forces for a performance of Mahler's towering Sixth Symphony.

Subscribe and save 10% when you purchase a Special Events Subscription, include one or more as part of a Choose-Your-Own Subscription, or add to any purchased Series Subscription. Or, become a Cal Performances Donor at the $1,200+ level and not only can you order early, you'll also receive priority seating when ordering before July 31.

Please note that single-ticket discounts do not apply to Special Events.

Related Events

Sightlines
6:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, February 25 – Special one hour pre-performance talk with Clemens Hellsberg, President of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
7-7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 26 – Pre-performance talk with Matías Tarnopolsky and members of the Vienna Philharmonic
2-2:30 pm, Sunday, February 27 – Pre-performance talk with Matías Tarnopolsky and members of the Vienna Philharmonic
Zellerbach Hall
These Sightlines events are free to all event ticket holders.

UCB Coaching Session
Saturday, Feb 26
10 am-12 pm
Zellerbach Hall
Strings-section coaching session for members of UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra by Prof. Rainer Honeck, Vienna Philharmonic Concert Master. Thirty four musicians in the UC Symphony will work on excerpts from Mahler's Third Symphony, the opening of Prokofiev's Classical Symphony, and Mendelssohn's Fourth Symphony (Italian). Open to the public for observation.

Donor Intermission Reception
Fri, Feb 25
(Donors of $1200+)
Producer's Circle members are invited to join us for complimentary refreshments in our donor lounge, the Zellerbach Room, located on the north side of the Zellerbach Hall lobby. For especially popular events, find us on the Mezzanine at Zellerbach Hall. Donor Intermissions are the perfect place to enjoy a complimentary glass of wine in the company of other Producer's Circle members.

Not a Producer's Circle donor? To find out how you can join and take advantage of membership benefits like this while helping Cal Performances with much needed contributions, please call 510.642.8653 or see our Support section.

Program Notes

Program notes are available online. [PDF]

Articles

Mercury News: Vienna Philharmonic makes rare visit to Bay Area. Read the preview article

San Diego Union-Tribune: The Vienna Philharmonic brings its tradition of excellence and individuality to San Diego. Read the preview article

San Francisco Classical Voice: Vienna in the Bay. Read the preview article

Contra Costa Times: Ladies of the Vienna Philharmonic get new look. Read the article

California Magazine (UC Berkeley Alumni Association): "The very mention of the Vienna Philharmonic makes many music lovers' hearts beat faster..." Read the article Orchestrating Excellence

Parking Alerts

Parking may be a problem on campus for the Sat, Feb 26 performance due to a Cal Basketball game. Please see our Parking Alert section for more information.

Multimedia

Video

It's Friday, February 25 and the Vienna Philharmonic residency is underway. Hear Cal Performances Director Matías Tarnopolsky talk about the weekend's concerts and activities.



Vienna Philharmonic breaks from the past. Watch and listen as Vienna Philharmonic President Clemens Hellsberg talks about the organization and its first woman concertmaster, Albena Danailova.



Audio Clips

Wagner: Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde
Schumann: Symphony No. 2
Mahler: Symphony No. 6