Christoph König
Wordsmith
TCHAIKOVSKY MANFRED SYMPHONY
THU , JAN 20 , 8 PM
ROBERT TREVINO , CONDUCTOR WORDSMITH , SPOKEN WORD ARTIST
STRAUSS Don Juan JAMES LEE III Freedom ’ s Genuine Dawn ( World Premiere and BSO Co-Commission ) TCHAIKOVSKY Manfred Symphony
Robert Trevino
Don Juan , the work that launched the career of Richard Strauss , opens a powerful program . With the profound words of Maryland native and legendary abolitionist Frederick Douglass , Wordsmith joins the BSO and guest conductor Robert Trevino in a world premiere by James Lee III commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra , the Boston Symphony Orchestra , and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra . Tchaikovsky ’ s Manfred Symphony , one of the greatest programmatic symphonies of the 19th century , is also featured on the program .
James Conlon
WAGNER OPERA SPECTACULAR
THU , FEB 10 , 8 PM
JAMES CONLON , CONDUCTOR CHRISTINE GOERKE , SOPRANO GREER GRIMSLEY , BASS-BARITONE
BEETHOVEN Symphony No . 8 WAGNER “ Ride of the Valkyries ” from Die Walküre WAGNER Final Scene of Die Walküre
“ One of the most accomplished music directors currently on the podium of an American opera house ” ( Opera News ), James Conlon presents two of the most famous voices in opera , soprano Christine Goerke and bass-baritone Greer Grimsley . They join the BSO for a Wagner spectacular featuring “ Ride of the Valkyries ” and the final scene of Die Walküre . The program also features Beethoven ’ s light-hearted Symphony No . 8 .
RAY CHEN PERFORMS SIBELIUS VIOLIN CONCERTO
THU , MAR 3 , 8 PM
KEVIN JOHN EDUSEI , CONDUCTOR RAY CHEN , VIOLIN
BRAUNFELS Symphonic Variations on an Old French Children ’ s Song * SIBELIUS Violin Concerto SCHREKER Chamber Symphony * RAVEL La valse
Ray Chen
World-renowned violinist Ray Chen , a favorite of BSO audiences , returns to perform the Sibelius Violin Concerto , one of the most demanding , impressive , and emotionally riveting works for violin . Kevin John Edusei conducts Ravel ’ s enchanting ode to the waltz , Schreker ’ s ethereal Chamber Symphony , and Braunfels ’ delightful symphonic variations .
* These musical selections are part of Recovered Voices .
STRAVINSKY THE FIREBIRD
THU , MAR 24 , 8 PM
MICHAEL FRANCIS , CONDUCTOR THE PERCUSSION COLLECTIVE
CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS Drum Circles ( BSO Co-Commission ) STRAVINSKY The Firebird ( Complete )
Michael Francis
Known for stunning audiences with their engaging performances and technical precision , The Percussion Collective makes its BSO debut with American composer Christopher Theofanidis ’ Drum Circles , a theatrical and visually captivating percussion quartet concerto . British conductor Michael Francis leads the orchestra in a complete performance of Stravinsky ’ s sumptuous ballet score , The Firebird .
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