City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) Led by Tianyi Lu Performs Habibi’s Zhian

Korngold & Prokofiev

Wednesday 25 February 2026, 2:15pm

This programme invites you to encounter the darkness of the world, but also to journey to the light. Habibi’s Zhiân was written in response to state brutality in Iran, yet the music is determined ‘to continue striving towards a … vibrant future’. Korngold, veteran of some of Hollywood’s best film scores, poured his experience into this swooningly gorgeous violin concerto written in 1945, and performed here by the brilliant Carolin Widmann. In 1944 Prokofiev returned to war-ravaged Russia to compose his mighty Symphony no. 5. Tianyi Lu leads the CBSO in this epic discovery of, as Prokofiev put it, ‘the greatness of the human soul’.

San Francisco Symphony Led by Tianyi Lu Performs Habibi’s Zhiân – June 13th

Overview

The Chinese-born New Zealand conductor Tianyi Lu makes her San Francisco Symphony debut with Rimsky-Korsakov’s cinematic orchestral showpiece Scheherazade, paired with the first Symphony performances of Iranian-American composer Iman Habibi’s Zhiân, dedicated to “the brave people of Iran, in the hope of better days ahead.” Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s side job as a film composer likely saved his life. In 1938, the Jewish former prodigy fled Vienna for Hollywood; five years later, he became a US citizen. His violin concerto, performed here by María Dueñas, was written for his neighbor, none other than Jascha Heifetz, who helped ensure that the violin writing was perfectly pitched between lyricism and virtuosity.

Artists

Tianyi Lu, Conductor
María Dueñas, Violin
San Francisco Symphony

Program

Iman Habibi
Zhiân

Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Violin Concerto

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Scheherazade

San Francisco Symphony Led by Tianyi Lu Performs Habibi’s Zhiân – June 14th

Overview

Artists

Tianyi Lu, Conductor
María Dueñas, Violin
San Francisco Symphony

Program

Iman Habibi
Zhiân

First SF Symphony Performances

Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Violin Concerto

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Scheherazade

San Francisco Symphony Led by Tianyi Lu Performs Habibi’s Zhiân – June 12th

Overview

Artists

Tianyi Lu, Conductor
María Dueñas, Violin
San Francisco Symphony

Program

Iman Habibi

Zhiân

First SF Symphony Performances

Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Violin Concerto

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Scheherazade

Utah Symphony Led by Tianyi Lu Performs Habibi’s Zhiân – April 11th

OVERVIEW

The rhythmic power of Orff’s Carmina Burana is unstoppable. With its massive orchestral forces and exhilarating chorus, this cantata celebrates the wheel of fortune in all its glorious ups and downs. “O Fortuna”? You know it. And it’s going to blow you away.

Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune sets the stage with its dreamlike Impressionism, transporting you to a world where a mythical creature lounges in the warmth of the afternoon sun. Plus, immerse yourself in Iman Habibi’s Zhian, a heartfelt tribute to the courageous people of Iran.