American conductor David Zinman returns to Symphony Hall to lead the world premiere of John Harbison's Symphony No. 6, commissioned as the culmination of the BSO's two-season survey of the composer's symphonies, with mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy as soloist. In addition, Zinman is joined by acclaimed Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes for Beethoven's youthful Piano Concerto No. 1. Carl Maria von Weber's overture to his 1823 "grand-heroic-romantic" opera Euryanthe is by turns splendidly swashbuckling and sweetly melodic. The exciting Richard Strauss tone poem Till Eulenspiegel, about a mischievous rogue, is another great orchestral showpiece.

 

In anticipation of the world premiere performances of John Harbison's Symphony No. 6 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra on January 12, 13, 14 and 17, 2012, the BSO and Massachusetts Institute of Technology will jointly present a roundtable discussion on the genesis of the new composition at MIT's Kresge Auditorium from 6-7pm on Wednesday, January 11.  The discussion will focus on several different aspects of the new work:  its commissioning, composition, and rehearsal.  Joining composer and MIT Institute Professor John Harbison in the discussion will be Maestro David Zinman, a longtime advocate of Mr. Harbison's music, who will conduct the BSO for these performances; and mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy, who will sing Mr. Harbison's setting of James Wright's poem Entering the Temple in Nimes, featured in the first movement of the new symphony.  The discussion will be moderated by BSO Assistant Artistic Administrator Benjamin Schwartz, and will include a live performance of a vocal excerpt of the symphony with Ms. Murrihy.