MEDIA CONTACT
Janelle Kruly
714.858.0945
janellek@reveilleinc.com

Award-winning pianist Alessio Bax joins internationally acclaimed conductor Ludovic Morlot for an evening of sweeping romanticism and Nordic soundscapes

Pacific Symphony invites audiences to embark on a journey of discovery and wonder as the next chapter in the orchestra’s 47-year history begins with “Rachmaninoff & Sibelius.” The Opening Night performance unites two masterworks of the late romantic tradition and welcomes two guest artists of exceptional international caliber. French conductor Ludovic Morlot, music director of the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and conductor emeritus of the Seattle Symphony, leads Pacific Symphony in both Sergei Rachmaninoff’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 2 and Jean Sibelius’ expansive Symphony No. 1. Joining Morlot is acclaimed pianist Alessio Bax, praised by Gramophone as “among the most remarkable young pianists now before the public.” Requiring both emotional depth and soaring technical skills, Bax and the orchestra showcase the power and speed required of Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece, one he premiered himself.

“Pacific Symphony is thrilled to launch our 2025-26 Classical Series with two powerful works that are sure to move and inspire, as they speak to the perseverance of the human spirit,” said John Forsyte, president and CEO of Pacific Symphony. “We are honored to be joined by conductor Ludovic Morlot and pianist Alessio Bax as we open this exciting season.”

The evening opens with Rachmaninoff’s renowned Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, a composition that not only cemented the composer’s reputation but also morphed into one of the most beloved works in the classical repertoire. Written in 1900-1901 following the devastating failure of his First Symphony, the concerto marked Rachmaninoff’s triumphant return to the orchestral realm and restored his confidence for the remainder of his career. Recognized for its esteemed, sweeping romanticism, lush melodies and demanding virtuosity, the work takes the audience on a journey through brooding intensity to lyrical melancholy and finally, into an optimistic finale. Its touching themes have inspired popular songs and appeared in iconic films such as Frank Sinatra’s “I Think of You” and “Ever and Forever,” Brief Encounter, The Seven Year Itch and more – ensuring its ongoing presence in concert halls and pop culture.

“It’s the kind of piece that doesn’t just sit on the page, it takes over your whole being,” said pianist Alessio Bax. “That’s why audiences love it so much. It’s Rachmaninoff at his most generous, giving us beauty, intimacy, passion and pure exhilaration, sometimes all within a few bars. The music itself shouts its own story: it’s life-affirming, full of hope, and almost miraculous when you consider what Rachmaninoff had been through.”

Following intermission, Morlot conducts Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39, a work that announced the Finnish composer’s arrival on the international stage in 1899. Morlot enlivens the composer’s distinctive Nordic expression with the romantic lyricism of Tchaikovsky,one of his strongest influences. Written at the age of only 34, the work reveals the mastery of mood, color and narrative. Opening with a haunting clarinet and timpani passage, the work unfolds in emotional melodies, dramatic contrasts and thematic transformations across its four movements – a strong parallel of the orchestra’s capabilities.

Pacific Symphony’s Classical Series is made possible by the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation, with additional support from Classical California KUSC, Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, and PBS SoCal.

The Symphony’s Opening Weekend concerts take place September 18-20 at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Season ticket packages are available starting at $126, while single tickets start at $36. A preview talk with Alan Chapman begins at 7 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (714) 755-5799, or visit PacificSymphony.org.

About Ludovic Morlot, conductor
Ludovic Morlot’s élan, elegance and intensity on stage have endeared him to audiences and orchestras worldwide, from the Berliner Philharmonic to the Boston Symphony. Music Director of the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra since 2021, he is concurrently conductor emeritus of the Seattle Symphony (2011-2019), where his innovative programming and leadership earned five Grammy Awards. Morlot has appeared with leading orchestras in Europe, Asia, Australasia, and North America, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony.

A native of Lyon, France, Morlot studied conducting at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music in London, and at the Pierre Monteux School in the United States. In addition to his symphonic work, Morlot has conducted new productions at the Aix Easter Festival, Dallas Opera and Seattle Opera, where he led acclaimed performances. His commitment to adventurous programming extends beyond the concert hall, with projects ranging from theatrical collaborations to outdoor performances attended by tens of thousands.

About Alessio Bax, piano
Combining exceptional lyricism and insight with consummate technique, Alessio Bax has appeared with more than 150 orchestras worldwide, including the New York, London Royal and St. Petersburg Philharmonics, and the Boston and Sydney Symphonies. Winner of the Leeds and Hamamatsu International Piano Competitions, Bax is known for his poetic interpretations and wide-ranging repertoire, reflected in his acclaimed recordings for Signum Classics.

Born in Bari, Italy, Bax graduated from the conservatory at 14 before pursuing advanced studies in Europe and the United States. A frequent performer at major festivals such as Verbier, Aspen, and Ravinia, Bax is also artistic director of the Icontri in Terra di Siena Festival in Tuscany. His collaborations include chamber performances with Joshua Bell, Steven Isserlis,and Emmanuel Pahud, among many others. Today, Bax serves on the piano faculty of Boston’s New England Conservatory and lives in New York City with his wife, pianist Lucille Chung, and their daughter, Mila.

About Pacific Symphony
Pacific Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the United States in the past 50 years and is ranked among the top orchestras in the U.S. by the League of American Orchestras. Founded in 1978, the Symphony has been led for 35 years by Carl St.Clair who is honored with the title of Music Director Laureate starting in the 2025-26 season. In 2024, Alexander Shelley was named Artistic and Music Director Designate for the 2025–26 season and will begin his full-time tenure in the 2026–27 season, marking a bold new chapter in the Symphony’s artistic evolution.

In its 47-year history, Pacific Symphony has gained national and international recognition, with recent highlights including a 2018 Carnegie Hall debut in celebration of composer Philip Glass;a five-city tour of China; and a PBS Great Performances broadcast of Peter Boyer’s “Ellis Island: The Dream of America.” In 2024, Pacific Symphony released the world-premiere recording of “Fiat Lux,” a stirring new commission by composer Sir James MacMillan performed with long-time artistic partner Pacific Chorale. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras.

With a purpose to lift the human spirit through the power of music, the Symphony is a cornerstone of the cultural landscape of Southern California, enriching lives and bringing communities together through creative and diverse programming. As the resident orchestra of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the Symphony presents more than 100concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.##