Pittsburgh Symphony plans more online summer programming

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is presenting “Summer With the Symphony,” featuring six weeks of musical offerings throughout its digital platforms, all available free to the public.

“While we continue to confront this pandemic together and our home stage is closed, we will bring the concert hall to you,” said Melia Tourangeau, PSO president and CEO, with program highlights including “an exploration of the magic of encores, concerts with two piano masters, the fun of Christmas in July, the joy of musical storytelling and an exclusive Q&A session with our new Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling.”

New summer programming includes:

An Encore a Day, July 7-9 and 13-16

The mini-series includes “encore gems from recent Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra tour performances across the great stages of the world. Uncover their secrets: how they’re chosen and when they’re played. Each encore will also include a special introduction by a PSO musician who will share just what makes these musical works so enchanting.”

Friday Night Concerts: Piano Masters

The Friday evening web broadcasts continue with “a special two-week pairing of ‘Piano Masters,’ featuring two of the most dynamic and outstanding artists performing today, pianists Yuja Wang and Daniil Trifonov.”

On July 10, Yuja Wang joins conductor Manfred Honeck and the PSO in “a dazzling performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 from the 2013 George Enescu Festival in Bucharest, Romania.”

On July 17, Daniil Trifonov “shares his unbelievable artistry in a spectacular performance with Manfred Honeck and the PSO of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 from Berlin, Germany, in May 2016.”

Christmas in July, week of July 20

Get into the holiday spirit early with fun activities for the entire family. Santa kicks off the week with a special message for everyone. Musicians and PSO staff will share a special symphony holiday cookie book of personal favorites. Then, viewers can test their gingerbread-building skills through an online competition.”

Musical Storytelling, week of July 27

The symphony is partnering with the Allegheny Country Library Association for a Virtual Summer Reading Program. Offered free of charge to families across the county, “Musical Storytelling” will explore how music can tell a story, as well as support the emotions and characters in stories.

The week will feature stories, music including the favorite Camille Saint-Saën’s “Carnival of the Animals” with poetry by Jack Prelutsky, a composition lesson from Lucas Richman, a special appearance by Fiddlesticks and more.

Let’s Meet Byron, week of Aug. 3

New Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling sat down to answer a few questions about his history, conducting style and a few fun facts. The week will end with Stripling joining in a special online panel discussion.

Details: pittsburghsymphony.org