[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Classical Nights at The Soraya return this fall with a fascinating array of four different performances that explore a boundless collection of music featuring London Philharmonic, Emanuel Ax, Israel Philharmonic, and Colburn Orchestra with Stéphen Denève. 

London  Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) will launch classical events at The Soraya on Thursday, October 10 with the U.S. premiere of Cuban American composer Tania León’s “Raíces” (“Origins”). With  Maestro Edward Gardner on the podium, the evening will also introduce The Soraya audience to noted American violinist Randall Goosby, performing works by Samuel Barber, and Tchaikovsky’s  “Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36.”  

“Every season at The Soraya, we welcome a roster of new and returning global artists to our stage,  such as the long overdue debut of pianist Emanuel Ax,” said Thor Steingraber, Executive and  Artistic Director of The Soraya. “In the 2024-25 Season, we also shine a bright light on American composers, choreographers, and performing artists. Appearing throughout the season are the fresh faces of a new generation of American artists, such as Randall Goosby performing with the  London Philharmonic in their return to The Soraya. We’ll close out our Classical Night series with  the return of the Colburn Orchestra under the baton of the extraordinary conductor Stéphane Denève as they perform as part of our new LA Seen Festival which is dedicated to the performing  arts in Los Angeles.” 

Classical Nights at The Soraya 

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Thursday, October 10, 8PM 

Edward Gardner, conductor 
Randall Goosby, violin 

With American violinist Randall Goosby, the London Philharmonic Orchestra returns to The  Soraya for the first time in a decade. Making his professional debut at nine years old, Goosby is acclaimed for the sensitivity and intensity of his musicianship alongside his determination to make classical music more inclusive and accessible. Goosby will perform an American classic never heard before heard at The Soraya — Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto. Tickets are $60 – $158. 

“With his secure technique, natural phrasing, gorgeous tone and smart programming, Randall  Goosby has everything it takes.” — NPR 

Program:  

TANIA LEÓN “Raíces” (“Origins”) 
BARBER Violin Concerto, Op. 14, featuring Randall Goosby
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 

Emanuel Ax

Sunday, November 3, 7PM 

The most anticipated debut of the 2024-25 Season, Ax finally lands at The Soraya with his extraordinary versatility and brilliance. The pianist is legendary in the recording studio and on stage, and in addition to some of the standards for classical piano repertoire, he will perform  “Fantasia on An Ostinato” by John Corigliano, the American composer best known for the film score for The Red Violin. Tickets are $55 – $118. 

“Never less than spellbinding.” – The New Yorker 

Program:  

BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 13 Op. 27 No. 1 “Quasi una Fantasia”
JOHN CORIGLIANO “Fantasia on An Ostinato”  
BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp minor, Op 27. No. 2 “Quasi una Fantasia”  (“Moonlight”)  
SCHUMANN “Arabeske”  
SCHUMANN Fantasie in C, Op. 17 

Israel Philharmonic

Thursday, March 27, 8PM 

Israel Philharmonic returns to The Soraya following its acclaimed 2022 concert, this time performing Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky. A dynamic global community of musicians under the leadership of Music Director Lahav Shani, Israel Philharmonic dedicates itself to representing classical works around the world. Tickets are $85 – $188. 

Program:  

MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 (46’)

The Colburn Orchestra

Saturday, April 12, 3PM 

The Colburn Conservatory stands at the pinnacle of classical music in Los Angeles with its flagship orchestra. Stéphane Denève, one of the most sought-after conductors at concert halls around the world, leads their next Soraya appearance. The French maestro inspires the next generation of classical musicians in multiple venues, including New World Symphony where he is Artistic Director. Tickets are $22. 

“Los Angeles audiences should add another top orchestra to their schedules. The symphonic  season at the Colburn School is on an entirely different level compared to most student  ensembles.” — SF Classical Voice 

Where: 

Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) 
18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330 

Tickets:

Website: www.TheSoraya.org  

Ticket Office: 818-677-3000 

About The Soraya Membership 

Soraya Members enjoy exclusive experiences such as the Member Appreciation Night for all  Members, special events and artist meet-and-greets (Silver Members and above), private pre-performance artist salons (Silver Members and above), our festive holiday party, and the annual  Director’s Dinner in 2025 (Platinum Members). Membership also offers priority access to preferred seats, including those in the Members-only seating section, and exclusive savings when five or more performances are purchased. Most importantly, Member benefits are valid all season. Beyond the benefits, Members drive The Soraya’s mission to present the highest caliber artists to captivate, inspire, and transport our audiences through the magic of live performance.  At The Soraya, Members are part of a growing community of arts lovers connected by the joy of shared human experience.  

About the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya)  

The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for The Performing Arts (The Soraya) is an award-winning,  state-of-the-art 1,700-seat theatre designed and built by HGA Architects and Engineers and opened in January 2011 as the Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC). Through a transformative gift by Younes and Soraya Nazarian, the venue was renamed The Soraya in 2017. Vibrant programming has served to establish The Soraya as the intellectual and cultural heart of the San  Fernando Valley and its 1.8 million residents and as one of the top arts and culture venues in  Southern California. Since its inaugural season, The Soraya has presented over 500 artists and companies across the genres of music, dance, theater, and film and is a highly in-demand location for filming and rental events. 

The Soraya’s 2024-25 Season boldly advances the expansive sound of orchestras both traditional and contemporary; the freestyle vibe of jazz; an array of dance luminaries, and a cultural bounty drawn from the musical well of global voices. The Soraya continues its vigorous commitment to innovating, excelling, and amplifying access by offering a wide variety of performances that reflect  Los Angeles’ many distinctive communities and featuring new and original work and artists from the local region as well as nationally and around the world.

Located on the vibrant campus of California State University Northridge (CSUN), The Soraya and the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication share an integral link that enhances student access and opportunities in the arts and performing arts. A $5 million contribution from record producer and former California Lieutenant Governor Mike Curb was pivotal in ensuring the completion and opening of The Soraya in 2011. For his founding support and in acknowledgment of the integral relationship between the Mike Curb College and The Soraya,  Mike Curb is recognized as one of The Soraya’s Cornerstone Benefactors. This partnership fosters academic and artistic excellence, elevating the talents and the future growth of CSUN’s students through master classes, student tickets, concerts of student ensembles, and students appearing alongside renowned artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Aida Cuevas, and Martha Graham Dance  Company.