BSO 2018/19 Season - Concert Previews

BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons chats with Brian Bell about Beethoven, whose symphonies are being performed on November 23-27, 2018.

The Latvian violinist Baiba Skride joins her compatriot Andris Nelsons and the BSO for the world premiere of Grawemeyer Award-winning composer Sebastian Currier's "Aether" for violin and orchestra, a work co-commissioned by the BSO and the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig. Two unpredictable musical rogues bookend the new work: "Till Eulenspiegel", who in Strauss's tone poem thumbs his nose at the establishment, rides his horse through a market, and comes to no good end; and Stravinsky's puppet-come-to-life "Petrushka", whose attempts to win the admiration of a ballerina come to naught. In his second full ballet score for the Ballets Russes, two years before "The Rite of Spring", Stravinsky's astonishing musical depictions of a Russian Shrovetide fair further cemented the reputation of the young composer of "The Firebird".

Stravinsky's puppet-come-to-life "Petrushka", whose attempts to win the admiration of a ballerina come to naught. In his second full ballet score for the Ballets Russes, two years before "The Rite of Spring", Stravinsky's astonishing musical depictions of a Russian Shrovetide fair further cemented the reputation of the young composer of "The Firebird". Video by Anthony Princiotti.

BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons speaks with Brian Bell about the Shostakovich Symphony No. 15, being performed on April 25-30, 2019.

Andris Nelsons and the BSO continue their Shostakovich symphony cycle, being recorded live for release on Deutsche Grammophon, with the composer's final work in the genre, No. 15. Composed in summer 1971 and premiered the following January, the Fifteenth is distinctive in its very surprising quotation from Rossini's William Tell Overture, as well as other musical allusions. The composer's mysterious, introspective late style is evident in the second movement, with its long cello solo. The Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov has won universal acclaim for both his technical brilliance and his expressive intensity. Both qualities are needed in Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3, one of the most enduringly popular concertos in the repertoire, which is powerful, lyrical, and Russian to the core.

An in depth look at Shostakovich's final work in the genre, No. 15. Composed in summer 1971 and premiered the following January, the Fifteenth is distinctive in its very surprising quotation from Rossini's William Tell Overture, as well as other musical allusions. The composer's mysterious, introspective late style is evident in the second movement, with its long cello solo. Video by Anthony Princiotti.

A preview of Stravinsky's puppet-come-to-life "Petrushka". Video by Anthony Princiotti.

A brief look at Richard Strauss' tone poem "Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks". Video by Anthony Princiotti.

Pianist Francesco Piemontesi speaks about Mozart with Brian Bell. Francesco Piemontesi will perform the Mozart Concerto No. 19 in F major, Kochel 459 on April 18-20, 2019.

Guest conductor Andrew Manze speaks with Brian Bell about the original version of the Mendelssohn Reformation Symphony, which is on the program of April 18-20, 2019. They also talk about the Concerto for String Orchestra by Grazyna Bacewicz being performed by the BSO for the first time.

Each making his BSO debut, English conductor Andrew Manze and Swizz pianist Francesco Piemontesi join the orchestra for a somewhat rarely heard Mozart concerto, the vivacious No. 19 in F, which the BSO hasn't played in Symphony Hall since 1994. Graźyna Bacewicz was one of Poland's most important composers of the mid-20th century, and one of very few women with an international reputation in that era. Her dynamic and soulful Concerto for String Orchestra won the Polish State Prize in 1950. Mendelssohn's Fifth Symphony, "Reformation", is based in part on Martin Luther's hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The symphony was written to coincide with the 300th anniversary of a major Reformation event, the Augsburg Confession.

A quick look at Shostakovich's Symphony No. 15, composed in summer 1971. Video by Anthony Princiotti.

A brief preview of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3, one of the most enduringly popular concertos in the repertoire.Video by Anthony Princiotti.

A look at Mendelssohn's Fifth Symphony, "Reformation", written to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession. Video by Anthony Princiotti.

A preview of the rarely heard Mozart concerto, the vivacious No. 19 in F. Video by Anthony Princiotti.