Joe Hisaishi: Concerto for Orchestra at San Francisco Symphony

Joe Hisaishi brings his Concerto for Orchestra to the San Francisco Symphony for three performances in October 2026, with Hisaishi conducting. Written in five movements and running approximately 45 minutes, the work follows a form associated with composers such as Béla Bartók, Witold Lutosławski, and Zoltán Kodály, placing the orchestra itself at the center of expression. The first and third movements feature driving rhythmic textures, while the inner movements highlight lyrical solo passages for individual instruments, with the final movement bringing these elements together. The piece is co-commissioned by an international consortium that includes the San Francisco Symphony.