Dedicated Email - Thursday - 10/22/2026 - LA Phil - A Symphonic Ballet with Elim Chan

Debussy’s hues in Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun are otherworldly, if hazy and in watercolor. The Impressionistic atmosphere Debussy conjures exudes a fragile beauty that set off a revolution, which Pierre Boulez said “breathed new air into the art of music.” By contrast, Stravinsky paints with bold, contrasting blocks of sound in Petrushka, which tells the story of a mischievous puppet, packed with Russian folklore and misadventure.

In between, Karen Gomyo takes center stage for the world premiere of Samuel Adams' Violin Concerto No. 2, The Wheel. It's the second piece Adams has written for Gomyo, whose playing has earned praise for its brilliance, intensity, and sheer musical firepower.

Two remarkable artists, one world premiere, and a pretty good excuse to spend an afternoon listening to something extraordinary.