We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to browse, you agree to saving BSO and third-party cookies on your device. See our privacy policy.

BSO, Pops, Tanglewood, and Symphony Hall Logos
2022-23 BSO Season

Andris Nelsons conducts Britten and Shostakovich with Matthias Goerne, bass-baritone, Augustin Hadelich, violin and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus with James Burton, conductor

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Symphony Hall, Boston, MA

The BSO and Andris Nelsons complete their multi-season survey of Dmitri Shostakovich’s symphonies with No. 13, Babi Yar, based on poems by Yevgeny Yevteshenko. The title poem condemns Soviet revisionist history and antisemitism surrounding a Nazi massacre of Ukrainian Jews. The outstanding German bass-baritone Matthias Goerne is soloist. Opening the program, frequent BSO guest Augustin Hadelich plays Benjamin Britten’s early, lyrical and poignant Violin Concerto, the composer’s reaction to the tragedy of the Spanish Civil War.

This week’s performances by the Tanglewood Festival Chorus are supported by the Alan. J. and Suzanne W. Dworsky Fund for Voice and Chorus.

Andris Nelsons, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Matthias Goerne, bass
Tenors and Basses of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus
 James Burton, conductor
Tenors and Basses of the New England Conservatory Symphonic Choir
 Erica J. Washburn, conductor

BRITTEN Violin Concerto
Intermission
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 13, Babi Yar

  • The Catherine and Paul Buttenwieser Concert
  • The Henry Lee Higginson Memorial Concert

Bass-baritone Matthias Goerne will replace Ildar Abdrazakov in the performances and recording of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 13 on May 4, 5, 6, 2023. Mr. Abdrazakov is withdrawing from these concerts for family reasons.

Andris Nelsons conducting
A headshot of Matthias Goerne

Performance Details

May 6, 2023, 8:00pm EDT

Featuring

Program Notes & Works

Violin Concerto

Benjamin Britten

Britten's early, lyrical Violin Concerto was his reaction to the tragedy of the Spanish Civil War.

Symphony No. 13, Babi Yar

Dmitri Shostakovich

Setting words of Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 13 is founded on the title poem, “Babi Yar,” a denunciation of Russian anti-Semitism.

Getting Here

A view of the empty Symphony Hall, with the stage in the distance

Plan Your Visit