Symphony San Jose concert heads for fanciful terrain

Bay Area News Group

San Jose, CA

Conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya believes in exploring music from a full spectrum — beloved classics of the repertoire, as well as ink-still-wet new works.

“Absolutely,” she says, “I think we look back and define eras based on the art that they produced — and what will define today for the people of tomorrow. It’s very important to keep the art form not just alive, but relevant.”

With a strong commitment to innovation, Yankovskaya has become one of classical music’s essential artists. This week, the Russian-born, Chicago-based conductor comes to the Bay Area to lead Symphony San Jose’s new program. Titled “Myths, Fairy Tales and Legends,” it features Lera Auerbach’s “Icarus,” Wagner’s Prelude and Liebestod from “Tristan und Isolde,” and a Suite from Prokofiev’s “Cinderella.”