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Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Known for constantly wrestling with his personal turmoil, Tchaikovsky described the driving force of his Fourth Symphony as Fate itself, “the fatal power which prevents one from attaining the goal of happiness.” Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste leans into the composer’s anguish and desire to overcome with an exhilarating interpretation of this passionate symphony. By the finale, audiences will be convinced of Tchaikovsky’s belief that “joy is a simple but powerful force….To live is still possible.” 

At the center of the program is Diaspora, a saxophone concerto by Los Angeles-based composer Billy Childs that confronts history and identity. Using poetry by Maya Angelou, Claude McKay, and Nayyirah Waheed as guideposts for the music, Childs says Diaspora is “sifted through the prism of my own experience as a Black man in America.”  

The Seattle Times lauded Steven Banks, whom the work was written, for evoking both the idyllic and harrowing aspects of Diaspora and bringing “extraordinary presence and variety to the solo part, moving between soprano and alto saxophones as if an actor playing multiple roles.” 

Classical
  • Approx. 2-2.5 hours,
    including 20-minute intermission

Program

SIBELIUS

c.7 minutes

Billy CHILDS

Diaspora: Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra

Intermission

Plan Your Visit

Walt Disney Concert Hall

111 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, California 90012

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Accessibility

Walt Disney Concert Hall offers accessibility options for individuals with mobility, auditory, or visual impairments.

Accessibility

Email: WDAccess@laphil.org
Phone: 213 972 0777

Mailing address:
ADA Compliance Coordinator
Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
151 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012-3034

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LA Phil Store

The LA Phil Store is the exclusive source of goods as uplifting as the music of the LA Phil! Visit the store at intermission or catch an artist signing after the concert.

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Sunday Matinees 1 Series

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Swan Lake & Liszt with Bronfman

Gustavo Dudamel
Sun  Dec 6, 2026  2pm

Simply Beethoven Festival

Simply Beethoven: “Eroica” and Piano Concerto No. 3 with Dudamel

Daniel Harding
Sun  Jan 10, 2027  2pm

Harding Leads Strauss

Esa-Pekka Salonen
Sun  Jan 31, 2027  2pm

Salonen Leads Smith & Sibelius

Esa-Pekka Salonen
Sun  Feb 14, 2027  2pm

Rituals Festival

Requiem

Sun  Mar 7, 2027  2pm

Minimalist Icons Festival

Steve Reich

John Adams
Sun  Apr 18, 2027  2pm

Minimalist Icons Festival

John Adams

Esa-Pekka Salonen
Sun  May 16, 2027  2pm

Rituals Festival

The Rite of Spring with Salonen

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