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The 2019-2020 Carnegie Hall Schedule (and Musicians) You Need to Know About

Classical Post Team

Lang Lang

The Top Carnegie Hall Performers You Can’t Miss on the Carnegie Hall Schedule This Season 

Inside Carnegie Hall, there is magic. 

Whether you’ve stepped through its hallowed doors once, twice, or more times than you could possibly imagine counting, one thing is for certain—the pull of the place is something supernatural, something undeniable. 

Merely standing inside a place that’s home to such impactful history is enough to make your head spin. Since Carnegie Hall opened its doors in 1891, this national historic landmark has been both a symbol and a station in the movement to bring the transformative power of music to the largest possible audience. 

As beautiful, historical, and overcome with wonder as the building itself is (and what it stands for), the foundation of Carnegie Hall is made all the more unique, special, and thrilling by the talented performers, musicians, ensembles, and orchestras that humbly but beautifully continue to grace its storied walls. Here, throughout the decades, it is the musicians that breed the laughter, tears, heartache, growth, and emotion so big there are rarely enough words to describe it that make up the magic of the U.S’s most prestigious concert hall. 

This 2019-2020 Carnegie Hall Schedule is no exception. This season, Carnegie Hall’s top-notch list of artists and musicians are must-sees—and we have no doubts that this lineup is sure to foster those larger-than-life emotions, the unbelievable skill, and the expectations Carnegie Hall has been pouring out for generations. 

We’ve anxiously taken it upon ourselves to dive into Carnegie Hall’s 2019-2020 schedule and mindfully craft a list of enticing, gifted, and truly breathtaking classical music performers, ensembles, soloists, and orchestras that we believe you need to know about for the upcoming season. 

Chicago Symphony Orchestra 

Led by the prestigious Italian Conductor Riccardo Muti, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is a music ensemble notable for its high-octane energy, orchestral color, and vibrant repertoire. A widely in-demand orchestra, the CSO performs over 100 concerts each year at its downtown Chicago home while balancing consistent collaborations with conductors, leading international musicians, and frequently sold-out tour performances throughout the U.S (and beyond). Though the orchestra was founded in 1891, it’s consistently hailed as one of the greatest orchestras in the world and is tireless in its dedication to bring exceptional classical music to the largest number of listeners possible.  

The CSO will be featured in multiple performances at Carnegie Hall this season, each time with programs that are speckled with spectacular color. CSO will feature works from Berlioz, Respighi, Bizet, and Prokofiev this season with a special highlight feature from prestigious mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. 

When You Can Hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall: 

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will perform at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage on two, back-to-back occasions this season. 

Boston Symphony Orchestra

The Boston Symphony Orchestra, based in Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 1881, and under the careful direction of famous conductors (not to mention access to some of the most skilled musicians in the world), has become an elite, world-class ensemble that’s consistently sought after. Now, in its 139th season, the BSO has reached millions of listeners, drawing more and more people into the classical music genre with its skill, grandeur, wonder, and magic.  

Lovingly known as one of the Big Five major American symphonies, the BSO is led by Andris Nelsons. Nelsons, the current conductor and music director, has received notable awards, has led the BSO on tours all over the globe, and has consistently conducted phenomenal performances throughout the U.S.

The BSO will perform thrice at Carnegie Hall throughout its 2019-2020 season, each time performing masterpieces fueled by breathless virtuosity. Programs will include works from Grieg, Mahler, Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, and HK Gruber. Additionally, the BSO will perform a highly reviewed performance of Liebestod, from the third act of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, accompanied by Jonas Kaufmann, Emily Magee, Michelle De Young, and other performers. 

When You Can Hear the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall: 

The BSO will perform three times throughout the Carnegie Hall 2019-2020 Season, each time presenting a unique and exciting program.

Kronos Quartet 

Widely described as groundbreaking and thrilling, Kronos Quartet is credited for being the cutting edge of innovation in the world of string quartets. Hailing from San Francisco, the quartet has been pursuing the artistic vision of exploration and continuous reimagining of what a string quartet experience should look and sound like. After 45 years, the Kronos Quartet is now celebrated as one of the most influential string quartets of our time, releasing more than 60 recordings of exploratory breadth and creativity, performing in thousands of concerts spanning the globe, and collaborating with some of the world’s most accomplished performers, composers, and ensembles. 

Their single performance at Carnegie Hall this season will feature works from Philip Glass, Missy Mazzoli, Misato Mochizuki, Terry Riley, Bryce Dessner, Steve Reich, and more. As a note, Paul Wiancko will perform as the quartet’s cellist during Sunny Yang’s maternity leave. 

When You Can Hear the Kronos Quartet at Carnegie Hall: 

The quartet will perform just once this season at Carnegie Hall—so you won’t want to miss this performance. 

Yuja Wang

Uncannily gifted, sparkling skills, dazzling, innovative—all of these words (and many more) have been used to describe Beijing-born pianist Yuja Wang. Known for her artistry, her flair, and her captivating stage presence, Yuja Wang is a musician who’s not only in-demand at concert halls around the globe, but also, consistently requested by some of the world’s most venerated ensembles and conductors. 

Yuja Wang’s one-time season performance at Carnegie Hall is her first solo recital on the Perelman Stage since the 2017-2018 season.  

When You Can Hear Yuja Wang at Carnegie Hall: 

Acclaimed pianist Yuja Wang will perform at Carnegie Hall just once this season, so don’t miss out! 

Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos 

Though they need no introduction, we’re surely going to give them one anyway. This season, Carnegie Hall welcomes superstars Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Leonidas Kavakos (violin), and Emanuel Ax (piano) as a trio paying a powerful homage to composers that have come before them. 

To mark the centenary of Isaac Stern’s birth, the trio will pay tribute to the violinist and the ensembles he anchored, including cellist Leonard Rose and pianist Eugene Istomin. The performance will feature an all-Beethoven program, with works like Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major, Violin Sonata No. 10 in G Major, and Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3. 

When You Can Hear Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, & Leonidas Kavakos at Carnegie Hall: 

The modern-day dream team will perform just once together this season at Carnegie Hall. Bonus solo performances are listed for each musician in both March and May. 

Photo Credit: Stefan Cohen

San Francisco Symphony

Long regarded as a standard for excellence in musical performance at home and around the world, the San Francisco Symphony has won the world over with its kaleidoscopic mix of respected classics performed immaculately and new music peppered with dashes of innovation. Currently led by conductor Michael Tilson Thomas (who assumed his role in 1995), the symphony has become famous for its innovative programming and continued efforts to enhance the orchestral concert experience with multimedia and creative staging to better showcase classic—and new—works. 

With back-to-back concerts this season, the San Francisco Symphony offers up two unique programs, one featuring works from John Adams, Stravinsky, and more. The other, fully dedicated to an all-Mahler performance.  Special guests Gautier Capucon will join the SFS in its first performance. 

When You Can Hear the San Francisco Symphony at Carnegie Hall:

 The San Francisco Symphony will give back-to-back performances at Carnegie Hall this season. 

Lang Lang

Often referred to as a megastar in both the classical realm and beyond, Lang Lang is credited as one of the few classical pianists who are able able to generate as much excitement, exuberance, and thrill as he does when he takes the stage. Overflowing with a charismatic stage presence, backed by unbelievable classical technique, and of course, an undeniable passion for playing, Lang Lang’s presence and performance is as brilliant as he is remarkable. His profound impact on the world of music is, without question, something you simply can’t miss this season. 

Lang Lang’s one-time performance this season at Carnegie Hall will feature a program of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, BWV 988. 

When You Can Hear Lang-Lang at Carnegie Hall:

Lang Lang will perform just once at Carnegie Hall this season. Be sure not to miss this stunning performance! 

May 7, 2020, 8 PM. Stern Auditorium/ Perelman Stage. Tickets start at $29.50.

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