EPSG:4326

Grand Slam Jam

Prairie Home Alliance Theater

Fascinating histories merge in a program of eclectic rarities, a world premiere, and a heroic classic. Musical gadfly Frank Zappa took one of the themes from his band Mothers of Invention and created the electrifying symphonic work Dog Breath Variations. Joseph Boulogne, a French Chevalier of African descent, was the music instructor of Marie Antoinette, a champion fencer, and composer of the delightfully animated Symphony No. 2. Composer-in-residence John Wineglass returns with another anticipated premiere: a new concerto called Democracy for versatile clarinetist Mariam Adam. The concert concludes with Beethoven's iconic portrait of Napoleon: the gripping and revolutionary Symphony No. 3, "Eroica."

Wineglass Clarinet Concerto + Zappa + Beethoven's Eroica

Sunset Center Theater

On Valentine’s Day, VSO welcomes Grammy Award-winning violinist Jennifer Koh to perform Philip Glass’ Violin Concerto No. 1 in an eclectic concert mixing American and Romantic music. A student of VSO’s fourth music director Jaime Laredo, Koh is a hugely in-demand performer of contemporary violin repertoire with premieres of more than 100 works composed especially for her. Glass’ Violin Concerto No. 1, one of the composer’s most often performed works, is preceded by Frank Zappa’s fast-paced, riveting piece from his 1993 album The Yellow Shark. For the romantic at heart, lush orchestral suites from Georges Bizet’s Carmen and music by 19th C. French composer Augusta Holmès complete the afternoon concert.

VSO at the Flynn: Love Notes

The Flynn

On Valentine’s Day, VSO welcomes Grammy Award-winning violinist Jennifer Koh to perform Philip Glass’ Violin Concerto No. 1 in an eclectic concert mixing American and Romantic music. A student of VSO’s fourth music director Jaime Laredo during her studies at the Curtis Institute, Koh is a hugely in-demand performer of contemporary violin repertoire with premieres of more than 100 works composed especially for her. Glass’ Violin Concerto, one of the composer’s most often performed works, is preceded by Frank Zappa’s fast-paced, riveting piece from his 1993 album The Yellow Shark. For the romantic at heart, lush orchestral suites from Georges Bizet’s Carmen and music by 19th C. French composer Augusta Holmès complete the afternoon concert.

VSO: Love Notes

Breaking Boundaries

University of California San Diego

Although he established no stylistic school, we find Martinů’s methods reflected in the work of other composers. This program pairs two of his chamber works with those of his peers and successors.

Program Ten • Martinů’s Legacy

Fisher Center at Bard

### Event Description: Crossing Generations - LPO

**Event Title:** Crossing Generations - LPO

**Date and Time:** Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 7:30 PM

**Venue:** Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

**Ticket Prices:** £7.50 - £45

**Event Overview:**
Join the London Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening of musical exploration and cultural fusion in "Crossing Generations." This concert, conducted by the acclaimed Kevin John Edusei, features a diverse program that bridges different eras and styles, showcasing the works of Frank Zappa, Bohuslav Martinů, and Dinuk Wijeratne.

**Program:**
1. **Frank Zappa** - The Dog Breath Variations/Uncle Meat Outrage at Valdez G-Spot Tornado (15 minutes)
2. **Dinuk Wijeratne** - Clarinet Concerto (European Premiere, 27 minutes)
3. **Bohuslav Martinů** - Symphony No. 6 Fantaisies symphoniques (25 minutes)

**Performers:**
- **Kevin John Edusei** - Conductor
- **Kinan Azmeh** - Clarinet

**Event Highlights:**
- Experience the psychedelic sounds of Frank Zappa, a pioneer of 1960s pop culture.
- Witness the European premiere of Dinuk Wijeratne's Clarinet Concerto, performed by the phenomenal Syrian clarinettist Kinan Azmeh.
- Enjoy the lush, fantastical symphony of Bohuslav Martinů, a Czech composer in exile.

**Special Notes:**
- Kinan Azmeh's rhapsodic clarinet performance is described by the Los Angeles Times as having the ability to "seduce with a rare intimacy and explode in ecstasy."

**Offers & Discounts:**
- **Multi-Buy Series Discounts:** Save up to 30% on full-price tickets at the Southbank Centre, London.
- **Group Bookings:** Book 10 or more seats to access discounted tickets for Southbank Centre concerts.

**Booking Information:**
- **Book Now:** [Link to booking page]

**Additional Information:**
- Sign up to our mailing list for updates and exclusive offers.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience a concert that transcends generations and cultural boundaries, brought to life by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and world-class artists.

Crossing Generations

Southbank Centre

Renowned for his extraordinary technical prowess and profound musicality, Canadian piano virtuoso Marc-André Hamelin returns to San Francisco Performances with a program that showcases his versatile artistry and intellectual depth. Celebrated by The New Yorker for his unique presence in the world of classical music, Hamelin's performance promises an eclectic mix of compositions that highlight his ability to navigate both the well-trodden paths of the classical repertoire and the intriguing byways of lesser-known works.

The evening's program features a diverse selection of pieces, beginning with Haydn's elegant Piano Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVI:37, and moving through the avant-garde soundscapes of Frank Zappa's "Ruth Is Sleeping" and Stefan Wolpe's "Passacaglia." The journey continues with John Oswald's "TIP" and Nikolai Medtner's evocative "Improvisation in B Flat Minor, Op. 31 No. 1" and "Danza festiva, Op. 38 No. 3." The performance culminates with the dramatic intensity of Rachmaninoff's "Etude-Tableau Op. 39 No. 5" and the powerful "Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 36" in its 1931 version.

Hamelin's reputation as a performer of near-superhuman technical skill is matched by his deep interpretative insight, making each piece a vivid exploration of its unique character and emotional landscape. His ability to blend consummate musicianship with brilliant technique ensures that this performance will be a memorable experience, reflecting his ongoing commitment to both the established masterpieces and the hidden gems of the piano repertoire.

Marc-André Hamelin Piano

War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

Pianist and virtuoso Marc-André Hamelin returns for his second performance at Tippet Rise. The recipient of seven Juno Awards and 11 Grammy nominations, Hamelin is one of the most respected and sought-after performers of the world’s concert stages. He will present a wide-ranging program across time, including works by Frank Zappa, Stefan Wolpe, and John Oswald, bookended by sonatas by Haydn and Rachmaninoff.

Marc-André Hamelin, piano

Tippet Rise Art Center

Directed by long-time AMFS faculty member Jonathan Haas, the annual Percussion Ensemble recital offers an electrifying showcase featuring a dazzling array of instruments. Join the adventure as talented students and faculty members take you to a variety of sound-worlds.

A Recital by the Percussion Ensemble

Aspen Meadows Resort

Not quite as famous as the film Jaws but every bit as legendary: The Yellow Shark, Frank Zappa’s final album. In 1992, shortly before his far-too-early death and already visibly weakened by cancer, the American avant-garde rock maverick joined forces with the new music specialists from the Ensemble Modern. For them he wrote a virtuosic orchestral suite that blends newly created pieces with Zappa favorites like Uncle Meat and G-Spot Tornado. That last work — a whirlwind celebration of the vaginal orgasm — was originally composed for the electronic Synclavier and long thought to be unplayable.

Frank Zappa

Events

Upcoming events

Aug 22, 2026

Ensemble of the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra (LFCO) | Participants in the Contemporary-Conducting Program · Lucerne Festival

Past events

May 15, 2026

Grand Slam Jam · Peoria Symphony Orchestra

18 - 19 Apr, 2026

Wineglass Clarinet Concerto + Zappa + Beethoven's Eroica · Monterey Symphony

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