Skip to page content

John Williams and Mahler’s “Titan”

Sun / May 30, 2027 - 2:00PM

Anna Handler takes on the “Titan” Symphony, and beloved pianist Emanuel Ax summons John Williams’ favorite “ghosts of jazz past.”

Program

About this Performance

Mahler’s First Symphony is considered to be one of his most honest and audacious artistic statements on life, death, tragedy, and triumph. With its early echoes of nature and birdsong, explosive crescendos, and heaven-storming finale, the nickname “Titan” couldn’t be more fitting.

Anna Handler, the LA Phil’s Conductor-in-Residence, returns with her “vigorous, infectious style [that draws] smiles from the orchestra and…ovations from the audience” (The Boston Musical Intelligencer) to lead the orchestra in this gargantuan symphony.

Handler also reunites with Emanuel Ax, “a soloist equally renowned for interpretive sympathy and technical acumen” (The Wall Street Journal), for a thorny yet velvety piano concerto by film score legend John Williams. Written specifically for Ax, Williams’ concerto is “haunted by the ghosts of jazz past” (The New York Times), echoing whispers from Art Tatum’s range and harmony, Bill Evans’ reflective tone, Oscar Peterson’s effortless swing, and Phineas Newborn, Jr.’s meticulous fingering techniques.

See other concerts in this series

Programs, artists, dates, prices, and availability subject to change. Ticket limits may apply. All sales are final.