Boston Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Andris Nelsons return to international touring with a four-city, six-concert tour to Japan, November 9–15

Performances to take place in Tokyo and Osaka, where the legendary Mitsuko Uchida joins the orchestra for performances of Beethoven's Piano ConcertoNo. 5, Emperor

Tour stops in Yokohama and Kyoto celebrate the orchestra's first return to these cities since the 1980s

Tour repertoire to include Mahler's Symphony No. 6, Mozart's Symphony No.40, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5, Strauss' Alpine Symphony, and Caroline Shaw's Punctum

2022 BSO Japan Tour Program Listing

Press Kit with downloadable photos, video, BSO history, and artist bios

The Boston Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Andris Nelsons, will return to touring for the first time since 2018, with a four-city, six-concert tour of Japan, encompassing performances in Yokohama's Minato Mirai Hall (11/9), Kyoto's Concert Hall (11/10), Osaka's Festival Hall (11/11), and Tokyo's Suntory Hall (11/13, 14 & 15). The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Andris Nelsons will present three programs fortheir 2022 Japan tour. A detailed program listing appears at the end of this press release. Tour activities will also include a program for junior high and high school students, an open rehearsal, and amaster class for young musicians, presented my members of the orchestra's trumpet section.

Statement from Andris Nelsons, Ray and Maria Stata BSO Music Director:

"It is very special to be returning to touring with the extraordinary Boston Symphony Orchestra and to perform for our gracious audiences in Japan. We so look forward to performing again in Tokyo's Suntory Hall and Osaka's Festival Hall, where the incomparable Mitsuko Uchida will join us for performances of the Emperor Piano Concerto. I look forward to my first visits to Yokohama and Kyoto and leading the orchestra in its return to these historic cities. The last few years have taught us to be especially grateful for the gifts of our lives. This is how we feel about returning to Japan, where we will passionately share our music while expressing our deep appreciation for the people and culture of this great country.

Statement from Gail Samuel, Eunice and Julien Cohen President and CEO:

"As the Boston Symphony Orchestra embarks on our first overseas tour since 2018, we are more aware than ever before of the importance of the orchestra's vibrant network of music communities, starting in Boston and reaching throughout the country and across the globe. The BSO's special relationship with Japan has been forged over many years through numerous past tours led by BSO Music Director Laureate Seiji Ozawa and this will be our second tour to Japan with Music Director, Andris Nelsons. We are thrilled to be performing for our Japanese audiences."

BSO Tours with Andris Nelsons

The BSO's most recent tour with Mr. Nelsons was an eight-city, twelve-concert European tour in September 2018, preceded by a tour to Japan in November 2017 (the BSO and Nelsons' first tour together to Asia) and a nine-concert, eight-city European tour in spring 2016. In August/September of 2015, Andris Nelsons led his first tour as BSO music director, with highly acclaimed performances in London, Salzburg, Grafenegg, Lucerne, Milan, Paris, Cologne, and Berlin.

This tour is the Boston Symphony's 29th international tour in the Boston Symphony's history; it will be Mr. Nelsons' second visit to Asia as BSO Music Director (Japan, 2017) and his fifth international tour with the BSO. The BSO last performed in Tokyo and Osaka in 2017; the orchestra hasn't performed in Kyoto since 1989 and in Yokohoma since 1986, both times under Seiji Ozawa. Explore a detailed BSO touring history.

CONCERT LISTINGS: 2022 Boston Symphony Orchestra Japan tour, under the direction of Andris Nelsons November 9–15

Wednesday, November 9, 7 p.m.
Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
MAHLER Symphony No. 6

Thursday, November 10, 7 p.m.
Kyoto Concert Hall
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
CAROLINE SHAW Punctum
MOZART Symphony No. 40
STRAUSS An Alpine Symphony, Op. 6

Friday, November 11, 7 p.m.
Osaka Festival Hall
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
Mitsuko Uchida, piano
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No.

Sunday, November 13, 4 p.m.
Suntory Hall, Tokyo
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
MAHLER Symphony No. 6

Monday, November 14, 7 p.m.
Suntory Hall, Tokyo
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
Mitsuko Uchida, piano
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5

Tuesday, November 15, 7 p.m.
Suntory Hall, Tokyo
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
CAROLINE SHAW Punctum
MOZART Symphony No. 40
STRAUSS An Alpine Symphony, Op. 64