Copland & Bates with Time for Three
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Thursday • Aug 21, 2025 • 7:30pm
Led by “2022 Musical America Conductor of the Year” Teddy Abrams, this program highlights the sounds of American music from past to present. Experience iconic works by Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber, and a SPAC premiere by contemporary composer Mason Bates, featuring genre-bending trio Time for Three.
Opening the program is Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music in the world. The piece has been a mainstay of pop culture in films such as Lorenzo’s Oil and Platoon, has marked somber occasions with performances at the funerals of FDR and JFK, and even experienced a rediscovery by younger generations when it was performed as a dance music anthem by Dutch DJ, Tiësto in the early 2000’s.
Following is Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a joyous and evocative work that reflects the spirit of the frontier. Originally composed as a ballet to accompany the choreography of Martha Graham, the piece draws inspiration from the Shaker hymn, “Simple Gifts.”
The program closes with the SPAC premiere of Mason Bates’ newest work, Silicon Hymnal. Written for GRAMMY and Emmy-winning trio, Time for Three, the work is an “electro-acoustic book of songs” that showcases Time for Three’s versatility, merging classical, Americana, and singer-songwriter styles. The work was co-commissioned by SPAC and follows SPAC’s previous commission for Time for Three in 2022 of Kevin Puts’ piece Contact,which earned the group their first GRAMMY Award.
Following the performance, ticketholders are invited to a free after party featuring Mason Bates (aka DJ Masonic) and Time for Three! See more details below.
Program
| Barber | Adagio for Strings |
| Copland | Appalachian Spring Suite |
| Bates | Silicon Hymnal, for string trio and orchestra* |
*Indicates SPAC premiere
Performers
Teddy Abrams* | conductor
Time for Three:
Ranaan Meyer | double bass
Nick Kendall | violin
Charles Yang | violin
*Indicates SPAC debut
Teddy Abrams, Grammy Award winner and Musical America’s 2022 Conductor of the Year, has been the galvanizing force behind the Louisville Orchestra (LO)’s artistic renewal since his appointment as Music Director in September 2014.
Following summer performances across Kentucky of the “In Harmony” tour – a multi-season initiative funded by the Commonwealth that takes the orchestra to every corner of the state – Abrams and the LO begin their 2024–25 season with Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Louisville Chamber Choir, followed by Ray Chen performing Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, debut works from members of the 2024–25 Creators Corps, Valerie Coleman’s Concerto for Orchestra, and a staged production of Viktor Ullmann’s one-act chamber opera Der Kaiser Von Atlantis. Abrams also continues to be in high demand as a guest conductor, making his conducting debut this season with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and returning to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he will be joined by pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, as well as the National Symphony Orchestra, Luxembourg Philharmonic, and Curtis Symphony Orchestra.
In April 2023, Abrams premiered his own composition Mammoth with the LO and Yo-Yo Ma in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave, and in 2024 his piano concerto for Yuja Wang won a Grammy Award. Abrams is now at work on ALI, a musical about Muhammad Ali; and—as part of the Emerson Collective Fellowship—an orchestral work that tells the story of the state of Kentucky, to premiere in the 2025–26 season.
Grammy- and Emmy-winning ensemble Time For Three (TF3) defies conventions with their genre-bending excellence. Comprised of Charles Yang (violin, vocals), Nicolas Kendall (violin, vocals), and Ranaan Meyer (double bass, vocals), the uniqueness of the trio’s instrumentation well matches their sound, which blends eras, styles, and traditions from classical to Americana to singer-songwriter. TF3’s collaborations with Pulitzer Prize winners Jennifer Higdon and Kevin Puts resulted in the Grammy Award-winning album, “Letters for the Future,” conducted by Xian Zhang and featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra. Their charismatic performances on major stages, frequent collaborations with acclaimed artists like Ben Folds and Arlo Guthrie, and commitment both on and offstage to encouraging the next generation of musicians, all showcase Time for Three’s unwavering dedication to pushing creative boundaries and captivating audiences worldwide.
After Party with DJ Masonic & Time for Three
Following the performance, make your way over to the Hall of Springs for an exclusive after party with composer Mason Bates (aka DJ Masonic) and a special encore performance by Time for Three. Enjoy a cash bar, light fare, and a dance party with some of modern classical music’s most innovative artists!
This program is made possible in part with generous support from Russell Sage College
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2025 residency is made possible in part by support from The Adirondack Trust Company
“Kids in Free” presented by Fenimore Asset Management
Ways to Save
Kids in Free
Kids 12 and under are free on the lawn and 50% off in the amphitheater (with an accompanying adult ticketholder) for performances by The Philadelphia Orchestra (excluding film nights and Laufey: A Night at the Symphony, when they are 50% off on the lawn and in the amphitheater).
SPAC Member Discount
SPAC Members receive 15%-20%* on all Philadelphia Orchestra tickets! Not a member? Join today!
*Discount is tiered by membership level.
SPAC Amphitheater
Our main stage has a 25,000 person capacity with sheltered seats for 5,200 people and a sloping lawn for an additional 20,000 people.
SPAC Event Ground Rules
Applicable for SPAC-produced events only, including Saratoga Jazz Festival, New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and other special events.
Permitted Items
- Food, beverages, and disposable utensils (compostable, plastic, reusable, etc.)
- Blankets and breathable ground coverings
- Umbrellas
- Please note: Only personal-sized umbrellas will be permitted on the amphitheater lawn.
- Lawn Chairs
- Please note: Lawn chairs must not exceed 43” in height when opened. Lawn chairs on the center amphitheater lawn must not exceed 26″ in height when opened.
- Tents
- Please note: Tents of any size will NOT be permitted on the Amphitheater lawn or are immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage.
*Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day*
Items Not Permitted
- Metal utensils
- Plastic tarps
- Lawn chairs over 43” in height when opened
- Tents are prohibited from the Amphitheater lawn as well as the area immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage
- Grills, cooking equipment, or any flame that uses a liquid, gas, or gel accelerant
- Laser pointers
- Drones
- Professional audio or video recording equipment
- Cameras with detachable lenses
- Bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, etc.
- Pets (except ADA approved service animals)
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Weapons of any kind
*Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day*
Ground Rules
- Security Procedure – To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for SPAC visitors and staff, all bags will be inspected, and all personnel will be searched via metal detectors. Bags include but are not limited to coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and other containers. Any item that is not permitted to come onto the SPAC grounds should be disposed of or returned to your vehicle.
- Smoking is permitted on the SPAC grounds in designated areas only. Please ensure that all cigarette butts are disposed of properly.
- Guests are welcome to bring items such as blankets and umbrellas but please consider others around you. If your items are disruptive to others, you may be asked to remove them.
- Reentry is permitted for SPAC-produced events. Guests must obtain a reentry wristband from staff at the gates prior to exiting the venue.
- SPAC has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to race, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and citizenship. Harassment includes but is not limited to stalking, verbal or physical intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or battery, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome physical attention. If you are made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please immediately report any concerns to SPAC staff or security personnel so appropriate action can be taken.
House Rules for Classical Performances
Applicable inside the amphitheater for New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra events.
- Beverages are permitted in the amphitheater, but food is not.
- As a courtesy to the performers and the audience, guests arriving after the performances begin will not be seated until the earliest appropriate opportunity in the performance at the discretion of the House Staff.
- Please turn off or silence all mobile devices prior to the start of the program. Texting and making calls in the theater is not allowed. Should an emergency arise in which you must use a mobile device, we ask that you step outside of the theater to avoid disturbing other guests.
- Video, photography, audio, or cell phone recording during performances is prohibited.
All SPAC ground rules are subject to change. By entering the SPAC grounds, guests agree to abide by the rules listed above. Management reserves the right to modify these rules or can request to see the contents of any belongings brought on property at their discretion. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the utmost levels of safety and convenience for our guests and staff.
Group Sales
Experience SPAC together! From groups of friends and family to corporate outings, senior centers, summer camps, and arts schools, we can curate a special experience for your group of 10 or more. We offer discounts, flexible options and can work with your group leader to tailor your needs for a memorable day.
Where to Stay
Whether you’re visiting from out of town, or want to stay the night nearby after an event, Saratoga Springs has a place waiting for you. As part of our commitment to the community, SPAC is proud to collaborate with preferred hotel partners to offer the best experience to our guests.