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2008/09 BSO Season Schedule

September 24 2008, Wednesday 6:30 PM

Opening Night at Symphony
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Maija Kovalevska, soprano
 
GLINKA
Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila
TCHAIKOVSKY
Letter Scene from Eugene Onegin
MUSSORGSKY (orch. RAVEL)
Pictures at an Exhibition

Sponsored by:

September 26 2008, Friday 8:00 PM

Brahms
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Christine Schäfer, soprano
Michael Volle, baritone
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Oliver, conductor
 
BRAHMS
A German Requiem

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Jan Swafford, The Boston Conservatory, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, recorded by Ron Della Chiesa .
September 27 2008, Saturday 8:00 PM

Brahms
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Christine Schäfer, soprano
Michael Volle, baritone
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Oliver, conductor
 
BRAHMS
A German Requiem

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Jan Swafford, The Boston Conservatory, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, recorded by Ron Della Chiesa .
October 2 2008, Thursday 8:00 PM

Previn, Stravinsky and Beethoven
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

André Previn, conductor
Gil Shaham, violin
 
PREVIN
Owls (world premiere; BSO Commission)
STRAVINSKY
Violin Concerto
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 4

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.


Brian Bell with Sir André Previn
Sir André Previn's subscription concerts open with a world premiere: a BSO commission written by himself titled Owls. Though he had just a few minutes to look at the score before speaking with the composer last August, Brian Bell couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak to André Previn about it.

CD Signing with Gil Shaham and Post-Concert Reception!
If you are attending the performance on October 2, Gil Shaham will be signing CDs in the corridor of the Symphony Shop. Also there will be a post-concert reception.
October 3 2008, Friday 1:30 PM

Previn, Stravinsky and Beethoven
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

André Previn, conductor
Gil Shaham, violin
 
PREVIN
Owls (world premiere; BSO Commission)
STRAVINSKY
Violin Concerto
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 4

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.


Brian Bell with Sir André Previn
Sir André Previn's subscription concerts open with a world premiere: a BSO commission written by himself titled Owls. Though he had just a few minutes to look at the score before speaking with the composer last August, Brian Bell couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak to André Previn about it.
October 4 2008, Saturday 8:00 PM

Previn, Stravinsky and Beethoven
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

André Previn, conductor
Gil Shaham, violin
 
PREVIN
Owls (world premiere; BSO Commission)
STRAVINSKY
Violin Concerto
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 4

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.


Brian Bell with Sir André Previn
Sir André Previn's subscription concerts open with a world premiere: a BSO commission written by himself titled Owls. Though he had just a few minutes to look at the score before speaking with the composer last August, Brian Bell couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak to André Previn about it.
October 7 2008, Tuesday 8:00 PM

Previn, Stravinsky and Beethoven
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

André Previn, conductor
Gil Shaham, violin
 
PREVIN
Owls (world premiere; BSO Commission)
STRAVINSKY
Violin Concerto
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 4

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.


Brian Bell with Sir André Previn
Sir André Previn's subscription concerts open with a world premiere: a BSO commission written by himself titled Owls. Though he had just a few minutes to look at the score before speaking with the composer last August, Brian Bell couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak to André Previn about it.
October 10 2008, Friday 8:00 PM

Mahler
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
 
MAHLER
Symphony No. 6

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Elizabeth Seitz, Boston Conservatory, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

There will be no intermission for this program. Please arrive on time to insure proper seating.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
October 11 2008, Saturday 8:00 PM

Mahler
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
 
MAHLER
Symphony No. 6

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Elizabeth Seitz, Boston Conservatory, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

There will be no intermission for this program. Please arrive on time to insure proper seating.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
October 14 2008, Tuesday 8:00 PM

Mahler
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
 
MAHLER
Symphony No. 6

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Elizabeth Seitz, Boston Conservatory, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

There will be no intermission for this program. Please arrive on time to insure proper seating.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
October 16 2008, Thursday 10:30 AM

Tchaikovsky, Kirchner and Schumann (Open Rehearsal)
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Maurizio Pollini, piano
 
TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No. 6, Pathétique
KIRCHNER
The Forbidden (world premiere; BSO 125th anniversary commission)
SCHUMANN
Piano Concerto

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

Open Rehearsals are open to the public and are offered at a discounted price from the actual performance ticket prices. Tickets to Open Rehearsals are priced for general admittance and seating is on a "first come, first served" basis. Patrons should be aware that these performances are working rehearsals in which the conductor may stop the orchestra to rehearse specific passages of the music that the conductor considers to require more refinement. Conductors may choose to repeat or omit movements or works.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.

WGBH's Brian Bell on Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6
Every music director with the exception of William Steinberg conducted the Tchaikovsky Sixth frequently, even Erich Leinsdorf had difficulty staying away from the piece. Here is Brian Bell's analysis.
October 16 2008, Thursday 8:00 PM

Tchaikovsky, Kirchner and Schumann
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Maurizio Pollini, piano
 
TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No. 6, Pathétique
KIRCHNER
The Forbidden (world premiere; BSO 125th anniversary commission)
SCHUMANN
Piano Concerto

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.


BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.

WGBH's Brian Bell on Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6
Every music director with the exception of William Steinberg conducted the Tchaikovsky Sixth frequently, even Erich Leinsdorf had difficulty staying away from the piece. Here is Brian Bell's analysis.


7:15 pm - 7:40pm, Miller Room
Enjoy a free Pre-Concert Reading and Discussion on the occasion of the world premiere of Leon Kirchner's The Forbidden, a BSO 125th anniversary commission. Refreshments will be served. RSVP Required.
To RSVP Please call (617)638-9329 or email customer service at customerservice@bso.org.

October 17 2008, Friday 1:30 PM

Tchaikovsky, Kirchner and Schumann
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Maurizio Pollini, piano
 
TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No. 6, Pathétique
KIRCHNER
The Forbidden (world premiere; BSO 125th anniversary commission)
SCHUMANN
Piano Concerto

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.

WGBH's Brian Bell on Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6
Every music director with the exception of William Steinberg conducted the Tchaikovsky Sixth frequently, even Erich Leinsdorf had difficulty staying away from the piece. Here is Brian Bell's analysis.
October 18 2008, Saturday 8:00 PM

Tchaikovsky, Kirchner and Schumann
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Maurizio Pollini, piano
 
TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No. 6, Pathétique
KIRCHNER
The Forbidden (world premiere; BSO 125th anniversary commission)
SCHUMANN
Piano Concerto

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

Sponsored by:

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.

WGBH's Brian Bell on Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6
Every music director with the exception of William Steinberg conducted the Tchaikovsky Sixth frequently, even Erich Leinsdorf had difficulty staying away from the piece. Here is Brian Bell's analysis.
October 23 2008, Thursday 8:00 PM

Messiaen, Boulez and Berlioz
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Steven Ansell, viola
 
MESSIAEN
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
BOULEZ
Notations I-IV
BERLIOZ
Harold in Italy, for viola and orchestra

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Robert Kirzinger, BSO Publications Associate, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.


Symphony+ Event
Enjoy a pre-concert dinner on Thursday, October 23 at Brasserie Jo. Dinner and Concert Tickets only $84! Buy
View More Information About Symphony+ Events >
October 24 2008, Friday 8:00 PM

Messiaen, Boulez and Berlioz
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Steven Ansell, viola
 
MESSIAEN
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
BOULEZ
Notations I-IV
BERLIOZ
Harold in Italy, for viola and orchestra
The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Robert Kirzinger, BSO Publications Associate, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.

Symphony+ Post-concert reception with principal violist Steve Ansell
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Messiaen with French food and wine
Free to performance ticket holders
Higginson Hall
View More Information About Symphony+ Events >

October 25 2008, Saturday 8:00 PM

Messiaen, Boulez and Berlioz
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

James Levine, conductor
Steven Ansell, viola
 
MESSIAEN
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
BOULEZ
Notations I-IV
BERLIOZ
Harold in Italy, for viola and orchestra

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Robert Kirzinger, BSO Publications Associate, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
October 29 2008, Wednesday 7:30 PM

Brahms and Strauss (Open Rehearsal)
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
 
BRAHMS
Violin Concerto
STRAUSS
Symphonia domestica

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

Open Rehearsals are open to the public and are offered at a discounted price from the actual performance ticket prices. Tickets to Open Rehearsals are priced for general admittance and seating is on a "first come, first served" basis. Patrons should be aware that these performances are working rehearsals in which the conductor may stop the orchestra to rehearse specific passages of the music that the conductor considers to require more refinement. Conductors may choose to repeat or omit movements or works.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
October 30 2008, Thursday 8:00 PM

Brahms and Strauss
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
 
BRAHMS
Violin Concerto
STRAUSS
Symphonia domestica

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Helen Greenwald, New England Conservatory, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
October 31 2008, Friday 1:30 PM

Brahms and Strauss
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
 
BRAHMS
Violin Concerto
STRAUSS
Symphonia domestica

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Marc Mandel, Director of Program Publications, from 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes

Symphony+ Pre-concert question and answer session with BSO musicians
Free beverages and snacks
Miller Room
Free to performance ticket holders
RSVP at 617-638-9446
View More Information About Symphony+ Events >


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
November 1 2008, Saturday 8:00 PM

Brahms and Strauss
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
 
BRAHMS
Violin Concerto
STRAUSS
Symphonia domestica

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Helen Greenwald, New England Conservatory, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
November 2 2008, Sunday 3:00 PM

The Boston Symphony Chamber Players
Jordan Hall
Boston, MA

  Boston Symphony Chamber Players
Malcolm Lowe, violin
Haldan Martinson, violin
Steven Ansell, viola
Jules Eskin, cello
Edwin Barker, double bass
Elizabeth Rowe, flute
John Ferrillo, oboe
William R. Hudgins, clarinet
Richard Svoboda, bassoon
James Sommerville, horn
 
MOZART
Divertimento No. 12 in E-flat, K. 252, for winds
M. HAYDN
Divertimento, for horn, viola, and double bass
VILLA-LOBOS
Quintette en forme de chôros, for wind quintet
BRAHMS
String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat, Op. 18

The Boston Symphony Chamber Players concerts will take place on November 2, January 11, March 22, and April 26 at Jordan Hall.

November 4 2008, Tuesday 8:00 PM

Brahms and Strauss
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
 
BRAHMS
Violin Concerto
STRAUSS
Symphonia domestica

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Helen Greenwald, New England Conservatory, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
November 6 2008, Thursday 9:30 AM

High School Open Rehearsal: Orff
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor
Norah Amsellem, soprano
Christian Gerhaher, baritone
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Oliver, conductor
PALS Children's Chorus
Alysoun Kegel, artistic director
Sequentia: Ensemble for Medieval Music
Benjamin Bagby, director
 
Songs from the original medieval manuscript of 'Carmina burana'

ORFF
Carmina burana

Boston Symphony Orchestra is pleased to continue it's High School Open Rehearsal program for the 2008-2009 season. Students will become a part of the rehearsal experience during these in -depth morning sessions. The day begins at 9:30am with a discussion given by a BSO musician, featured composer, or conductor. This is followed by an insider's view of an actual BSO rehearsal during which students will hear and view the conductor from the point of view of the orchestra, thorough a special on-stage screen. The rehearsal is followed by further discussion with the conductor. Students will leave with a greater understanding of the rehearsal process, as well as an appreciation of the effort and talent needed to refine a performance.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
November 6 2008, Thursday 8:00 PM

Orff
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor
Norah Amsellem, soprano
William Ferguson, tenor
Christian Gerhaher, baritone
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Oliver, conductor
PALS Children's Chorus
Alysoun Kegel, artistic director
Sequentia: Ensemble for Medieval Music
Benjamin Bagby, director
 
Songs from the original medieval manuscript of 'Carmina burana'

ORFF
Carmina burana
Sung with English supertitles.

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Robert Kirzinger, BSO Publications Associate, from 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.

Symphony+ Event: Sequentia to speak from stage.
Before all performances Nov 6 - 8.
Free to performance ticket holders.

November 6 approximately 10pm - Post-concert reception with Sequentia
Featuring Spanish food and wine
Higginson Hall
View More Information About Symphony+ Events >

November 7 2008, Friday 1:30 PM

Orff
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor
Norah Amsellem, soprano
William Ferguson, tenor
Christian Gerhaher, baritone
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Oliver, conductor
PALS Children's Chorus
Alysoun Kegel, artistic director
Sequentia: Ensemble for Medieval Music
Benjamin Bagby, director
 
Songs from the original medieval manuscript of 'Carmina burana'

ORFF
Carmina burana
Sung with English supertitles.

The Pre-Concert Talk will be given by Robert Kirzinger, BSO Publications Associate, from 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM at Symphony Hall. Free to performance ticket holders. Pre-Concert Talks are sponsored by New England Coffee.

BSO Download the full Program Notes


Audio Concert Preview by Richard Dyer, narrated by Ron Della Chiesa.
Symphony+ Event:
Book Signing with Dr. Leo Beranek

Today, Dr. Leo Beranek will be signing copies of his book, Riding the Waves: A Life in Sound, Science, and Industry. The signing will take place outside the Symphony Shop before the concert and during the intermission. Leo Beranek is a pioneer in acoustical research, known for his work in noise control and the acoustics of concert halls, and the author of twelve books on these topics. The many awards he has received include the Presidential National Medal of Science, presented in 2003.
View More Information About Symphony+ Events >

Symphony+ Event: Sequentia to speak from stage.
Before all performances Nov 6 - 8.
Free to performance ticket holders.
View More Information About Symphony+ Events >

November 8 2008, Saturday 8:00 PM

Orff - Sold Out
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor