THE CLASSIX SERIES
STRAVINSKY’S FIREBIRD
Saturday & Sunday
February 21 & 22, 2026
4:00 PM | Doors 2:30 PM
4:00 PM | Doors 2:30 PM
Like a spell cast in sound, the Reno Phil conjures an evening in the pursuit of magic, where music shimmers, soars, and ignites the imagination. At the heart of it all is Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, bursting into a glorious blaze of color, rhythm, and enchantment. The journey begins with Jonathan Sokol's What Trees May Speak, a mysterious and evocative soundscape where nature whispers its hidden truths. The night comes to a triumphant close with the dazzling Joyce Yang, whose breathtaking artistry transforms Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 into a tempest of passionate thundering chords, aching lyricism, and virtuosic fire.
ON THE PROGRAM
Jonathan Sokol What Trees May Speak
Igor Stravinsky The Firebird Suite (1919)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 op. 23 in B-flat minor
TAKE NOTE: BOTH PERFORMANCES OF THIS CONCERT - SATURDAY AND SUNDAY- WILL BEGIN AT 4:00 PM
LAURA JACKSON
CONDUCTOR
JOYCE YANG
PIANO
Tickets for 2025-26 Classix Series concerts at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts can only be purchased at this time as part of a Classix 6-concert subscription package.
Single tickets for the 2025-2026 Season go on sale August 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM. For information on group rates, or other ticket discounts, please click here.
INTERESTED IN A PARTNERSHIP, SPONSORSHIP, OR UNDERWRITING OPPORTUNITY?
Contact Evelyn Klatt, Chief Development & Marketing Officer at eklatt@renophil.com
JOYCE YANG, PIANO
Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang captivates audiences with her virtuosity, lyricism, and interpretive sensitivity. Hailed for her “poetic and sensitive pianism” (Washington Post), she gained international attention in 2005 as the youngest contestant to win the silver medal at the 12th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. She made her celebrated New York Philharmonic debut in 2006 with Lorin Maazel and has since performed with top orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.
Yang’s extensive career includes over 1,000 solo and chamber performances, a Grammy nomination for her recording with violinist Augustin Hadelich, and the 2010 Avery Fisher Career Grant. She is a regular at major festivals like Aspen and La Jolla and has toured extensively with the Alexander String Quartet.
Her diverse discography features the world premiere of Michael Torke’s Piano Concerto, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and critically acclaimed solo albums. Passionate about introducing new audiences to classical music, Yang has served as Guest Artistic Director for the Laguna Beach Music Festival and collaborates with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. A Juilliard graduate and Steinway Artist, she continues to perform worldwide, bringing a “wondrous sense of color” (San Francisco Classical Voice) to every stage.
LAURA JACKSON, CONDUCTOR
An eloquent and articulate artist on and off the podium renowned for her dynamic leadership, energetic performances, and progressive vision, American conductor Laura Jackson is praised for her innovation, passion, and commitment to the continued growth of the symphonic repertoire and expanding music’s impact within communities. Having served as the fourth Music Director and Conductor of the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra (Reno Phil) since 2009, her contract has been unanimously renewed through the end of the 2028-2029 season, ensuring that diverse, compelling repertoire, and creative community programming will continue through the organization’s 60th anniversary. A 21st century conductor at home with repertoire from every era, Jackson is recognized for her championing of new music, her creativity with commissions, and her commitment to mentoring and encouraging the next generation of musicians, composers and women conductors. She is in her third season as an official mentor to emerging women conductors across the globe in the Taki-Alsop Foundation’s Fellowship program. With the Reno Phil, she also partners with the Davidson Institute in Reno, Nevada to feature their instrumental fellows in concert. A frequent guest conductor, she has led distinguished ensembles across the United States, Canada, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Algeria, and China, and her relationships with orchestras continue to expand.
A champion of living composers, Laura Jackson created the Reno Philharmonic’s Composers in Residence initiative and has commissioned and presented several world premieres. She has led over 50 Reno Phil premieres and multiple Western U.S. premieres. Under her leadership, the Reno Phil has expanded its community and education programs to include the Composers in Residence, Conduct Us, movies with live orchestra performances, the annual Play for a Day, and the youth orchestras have expanded from three to four ensembles. Additionally, live streaming of concerts was introduced in 2020. www.laurajackson.net
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*Not ready to attend in person? Purchase an access link for our livestream or video-on-demand and enjoy the concert from the comfort of home!
How to View the Livestream Concert
One day before the concert, ticketholders will receive an email with a link to the video. We recommend you access the link at least 10 minutes before the concert begins. If you do not receive a link, please check your spam & junk folders before contacting the box office. Livestream FAQ & SUPPORT.
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Parking
Patrons have several options for parking near the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. We recommend the following:
Metered parking (pay Monday-Saturday 9am – 6pm; free evenings after 6pm and on Sundays)
The open parking lot across from the Washoe County Court House (free on evenings and weekends). The entrance is located on Court St, between Virginia and Sierra St.
The parking lot attached to Nevada State Bank (ONLY available free in the evenings and on weekends)
Directions
Directions from I-580 via Mill Street
Take exit 66 for Mill St.
-395 Northbound: exit 66 and turn left at Mill St.
-395 Southbound: exit 66 and turn right at Mill St.
Follow Mill St. about 1.5 miles
Turn left on Lake St.
Turn right on Court St.
The Pioneer Center will be on your right
Directions from I-80 via Virginia Street
Take exit 13 for Downtown Reno/Virginia St.
-I-80 Eastbound: exit 13 and turn right at N. Virginia St.
-I-80 Westbound: exit 13 and turn left at N. Virginia St.
Follow Virginia St. about 1 mile (cross the Truckee River).
The Pioneer Center will be on your left
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The Reno Phil’s community partners donate rooms for out of town musicians, food for events and many other needs. Without their generosity, we would not be able to provide the community with world-class, innovative music performances. We greatly appreciate their contribution to the performing arts, as well as helping keep the costs of concerts reasonable for our ticket buyers. If you’re coming from out of town and plan to stay in Reno after the concert, please consider reserving a room with one of our hotel partners.
We hear from our partners that enjoying a good meal makes our concerts sound better. You should test that theory and let us know! Please consider dining with one of these supporting restaurants before or after a concert. And say thanks for us, too.
Dining
Beaujolais Bistro
Washoe Public House
CentroHotels
Whitney Peak
Renaissance