Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony expose four revolutionary composers, and we get to follow along without having to wait in the ticket line. Explore the emotional narrative of Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, from the themes of each movement to the key influences in the composer's life to the unique voice of each instrument in the orchestra. Discover what was so controversial about Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" and how Nijinsky's choreography differed from traditional ballet. Dig deeper into Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony to find the heroic theme and learn about the events that inspired the groundbreaking work. Find out about the different musical elements that Aaron Copland stitched together to make a new kind of American sound that is "so familiar to us we think it must always have been." Each program allows music fans to follow along with the score, gain insight into the composers' thoughts, and watch the Symphony in concert. Begin with the Stravinsky, Beethoven, and Copland programs featured at the top of the site. And enjoy!
