The orchestra will also record the work, titled The Composer Is Dead, for a CD to accompany Snicket's forthcoming book of the same name. Snicket, who is allegedly the same person as San Francisco writer and musician Daniel Handler, will narrate the work at the summer family concert at Davies Symphony Hall and on the recording. SFSO resident conductor Edwin Outwater will conduct.

The Composer Is Dead was commissioned by the SFSO as part of its outreach and education efforts. The commission's goal, a press release said, "is to build upon the wild popularity of Mr. Snicket's inventive humor ... to introduce the orchestra to young listeners in an original and entertaining way."

The work tells the story of a murder mystery while introducing young listeners to the instruments of the orchestra.

"Ever since I was a boy, classical music has made me weep uncontrollably," Snicket said. "I hope The Composer is Dead does the same for a new generation. It's certainly either alarmingly original or originally alarming."