David Alexander Rahbee

Sibelius said, “The Sixth Symphony always reminds me of the scent of the first snow”. This marks the emotional core of the program, and it inspired me to choose fellow Finn Kaija Saariaho’s “Ciel d'hiver” to open the concert, hence the program title. The second half is on the lighter side, with winter themed favorites. Coming up on Friday December 5th

The first University of Washington Symphony Orchestra concert of the year is coming up on October 24! Join us for “Dark Romantics”, find out why Schubert never finished his unfinished, hear the macabre tale of the Water Goblin as told through sensational music by Dvořak, and be jolted by Liszt’s Totentanz to round out the evening with special soloist 🎶🎫🍁🌩️ 🎃🌌🎵

Sibelius, Richard Strauss & Mozart soon Bar Harbor Music Festival

Sharing this project with our students was an incredible experience. Several years ago, when I learned that conductor Sir Simon Rattle, who I admire and respect greatly, would present a concert of an “Imaginary Symphony” made up of many different movements and sections of works by Joseph Haydn, I was skeptical. Rattle has indeed been one the most important and inspirational musicians I have learned from and followed closely since the late 1990s; however I thought this was, quite frankly, a strange idea. After experiencing the performance, though, I realized how GREAT the idea actually is. I realized that both musicians and audiences need to experience Haydn in this way- presenting the wide ranging and varied music of this composer, whose legacy has always been undisputed, but whose music remains largely unfamiliar. It gives us a perspective and a chance to appreciate this music with a wider lens and more intensely, rather than hearing one of his pieces as an under-rehearsed overture. Rattle said, “Joseph Haydn is like an iceberg,” and that the average concert-goer is familiar with only a small percentage of his total output. At that performance, Sir Simon asked the audience to hold the applause till the end. On the contrary, I actually would encourage the audience to clap between movements - if and when you truly feel motivated to do so - and not just because of a pause in the music, or silence and or because one feels obliged. I set out to create the "Haydn Experience" in 2018, my own version of this “Imaginary Symphony”, inspired by Rattle, but also adding other elements and tailoring it to also provide important opportunities for our orchestra members. In 2025, I have created a totally new experience for this performance. The result will hopefully provide performers and audiences with an experience that helps them recognize and appreciate the genius of Haydn’s music, its uncommon fusion of popular and noble styles, its humor and originality, and above all, in my opinion, honest and direct expressiveness. He confidently said “Meine Sprache versteht Man durch die ganze Welt” (People understand my language all around the world.); it is my hope that this experience will leave you in full accordance!

The Haydn Experience II | UW Symphony Orchestra & Choirs The Haydn Experience II Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809); Michael Haydn (1737-1806): (Music by Franz Joseph, and Michael Haydn. Designed by David A. Rahbee)Uni...

Friday!

This Friday, May 2: David Alexander Rahbee leads the UW Symphony in a program of music by Jessie Montgomery, Cécile Chaminade, Francis Poulenc, and Dmitri Shostakovich. With faculty guest Donna Shin, flute, and graduate conductor Robert Stahly. Concert starts at 7:30 pm, at the Gerlich Theater, Meany Hall. Please join us!

https://music.washington.edu/events/2025-05-02/uw-symphony-orchestra-donna-shin-flute

Several years ago, when learned that conductor Sir Simon Rattle, who I admire and respect greatly, would present a concert of an “Imaginary Symphony” made up of many different movements and sections of works by Joseph Haydn, I was skeptical. Rattle has indeed been one the most important and inspirational musicians I have learned from and followed closely since the late 1990s; however I thought this was, quite frankly, a strange idea. After experiencing the performance, though, I realized how GREAT the idea actually is. I realized that both musicians and audiences need to experience Haydn in this way- presenting the wide ranging and varied music of this composer, whose legacy has always been undisputed, but whose music remains largely unfamiliar. It gives us a perspective and a chance to appreciate this music with a wider lens and more intensely, rather than hearing one of his pieces an under-rehearsed overture. Rattle said, “Joseph Haydn is like an iceberg,” and that the average concert-goes is familiar with only a small percentage of his total output.

At that performance, Sir Simon asked the audience to hold the applause till the end. On the contrary, I actually would encourage the audience to clap between movements - if and when you truly feel motivated to do so - and not just because of a pause in the music, or silence and or because one feels obliged.

I set out to create the "Haydn Experience" in 2018, my own version of this “Imaginary Symphony”, inspired by Rattle, but also adding other elements and tailoring it to also provide important opportunities for our orchestra members. I have created a totally new one for this performance. The result will hopefully provide performers and audiences with an experience that helps them recognize and appreciate the genius of Haydn’s music, its uncommon fusion of popular and noble styles, its humor and originality, and above all, in my opinion, honest and direct expressiveness. He confidently said “Meine Spache verstehet Man durch die gaze Welt” (People understand my language all around the world.); it is my hope that this experience will leave you in full accordance!

Also Schumann and Ravel !

I am delighted that this is our next program with University of Washington Symphony Orchestra and Carrie Shaw, soprano,
Featuring 95-years-young Thea Musgrave’s insanely descriptive “Loch Ness”, the premiere of my new orchestration of F***y Mendelssohn Hensel’s Six Songs, op.7 (with letters to and from her brother read by Frederick Reece] and Felix Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony

Happy new year! Next up: this stimulating program with Bellingham Symphony Orchestra on Jan 26th, with violinist Dawn Posey

https://www.bellinghamsymphony.org/event/rising-up

Franz Joseph Haydn | Il Mondo Della Luna overture
Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges | Violin Concerto in A major, Op. 5, No. 2
‍Maurice Ravel (orchd. Rahbee) Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn | Symphony No. 104 "London"