Clarinetist

In Kínēma Esa-Pekka Salonen’s lyrical imagination takes flight via five cinematic scenes for solo clarinet and chamber orchestra. Emerging Black Composers Project winner Jens Ibsen grew up in the Bay Area, where he soaked up samba, soul, R&B, and progressive metal along with the music of Ghana and the African diaspora—all influences you might detect in Drowned in Light, a world premiere. Igor Stravinsky’s turbulent Symphony in Three Movements, which he called his “war symphony,” reflects the rampant destruction in Europe and Asia.

EPSG:4326

California Festival: To the Edge

Davies Symphony Hall

The dynamic and versatile San Francisco Symphony returns to Berkeley with music director Esa-Pekka Salonen in a one-of-a-kind program showcasing the unique musical chemistry between this orchestra and conductor. The SF Symphony plays the world premiere of a new work by Jens Ibsen, the most recent winner of the Emerging Black Composers Project, a collaboration with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to foster the creation and performance of new music from early-career Black American composers. Ibsen focuses a wide range of life experience and influences into his music—he’s a classically trained, Ghana-born metalhead who sang as a principal soloist in the Vienna Boys Choir—and the panel that selected him praised his music for its “enthralling balance of rhythmic drive, elegant tonality, and beautiful settings of words.” Salonen also conducts his own Kínēma, a showcase for principal clarinetist Carey Bell; and Stravinsky’s cinematic and propulsive Symphony in Three Movements.

San Francisco Symphony Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

University of California, Berkeley

Eugene native Carey Bell joins the orchestra for Copland's Clarinet Concerto alongside Jessie Montgomery's Soul Force and Ravel's romantic Daphnis et Chloe.

Our season of storytelling comes to a close with Maurice Ravel’s balletic masterpiece Daphnis et Chloe. It combines a dramatic narrative sweep with jaw-dropping Impressionist details, and will bring you to the edge of your Silva Concert Hall seat. Eugene native Carey Bell, now Principal Clarinet of the famed San Francisco Symphony, returns home to play Aaron Copland’s lyrical and lively Concerto, originally written for jazz legend Benny Goodman. American powerhouse Jessie Montgomery’s opening work draws on big-band jazz, R&B, and funk to weave a sonic tapestry. Your spirit will soar!

Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe

Hult Center for the Performing Arts

On Tuesday, May 23th, come watch acclaimed clarinetist Carey Bell work with three talented clarinet students as part of the Laura Avery Visiting Masters Series.

All master classes are free and open to the public.

Clarinet Master Class

The Studio at 414

For an evening of clarinet virtuosity, LCCE brings together three amazing clarinetists: Left Coast’s Jerome Simas and guests Jeff Anderle, a founding member of the ensembles Sqwonk and Splinter Reeds, and Carey Bell, principal clarinetist of the San Francisco Symphony. The trio will perform Mozart’s Divertimento for 3 Basset Horns and an arrangement by Anderle of the song Zoetrope.  David Garner’s new clarinet work receives its world premiere and music of Olly Wilson, Jesse Montgomery and Sebastián Tozzola is also featured.

Clarinet Party

Hillside Club

SF CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

Maestro Haimor presents the Marin Symphony premiere of Fanny Mendelssohn’s romantic overture. San Francisco Symphony superstar Principal Clarinet Carey Bell joins the orchestra in Mozart’s nonpareil concerto. Beethoven’s dancing, celebratory Seventh Symphony brings it all home.

Clarinetist

Carey Bell

Events

Upcoming events

10 - 11 Jan, 2026

Masterworks 2: Mozart & Beethoven · Marin Symphony

Past events

11 - 12 Nov, 2023

California Festival: To the Edge · San Francisco Symphony

Nov 10, 2023

San Francisco Symphony Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor · Cal Performances

Future and recently performed repertoire

Clarinet in Clarinet Concerto by Mozart

Marin Symphony

About

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