InTune

For the first time since 2018, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Ray and Maria Stata Music Director Andris Nelsons, will take their music to international stages with six concerts across four cities in Japan between November 9 and November 15. The BSO will present three programs among the concerts, being held at Yokohama's Minato Mirai Hall, Kyoto's Concert Hall, Osaka's Festival Hall, and Tokyo's Suntory Hall, and the performance repertoire will include Mahler's Symphony No. 6, Mozart's Symphony No. 40, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5, Strauss' An Alpine Symphony, and Caroline Shaw's Punctum. Also planned in the tour are an open rehearsal, a program exclusively for junior high and high school students, and a master class for young musicians hosted by members of the orchestra’s trumpet section.

The significance of the orchestra’s return to touring is clear across the organization. Announcing the tour, BSO Eunice and Julian Cohen President and CEO Gail Samuel said that the organization is “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.” Maestro Nelsons shared similar sentiments. “It is very special to be returning to touring with the extraordinary Boston Symphony Orchestra and to perform for our gracious audiences in Japan,” he explained. He also made special note of pianist Mitsuko Uchida, who will join the orchestra on its Tokyo and Osaka stops to perform the Emperor Concerto.

The upcoming tour, the first since the numerous suspensions of planned performances due to COVID-19, will mark the orchestra’s 29th international tour. This will be Nelsons’ second tour of Asia with the orchestra, the last being in 2017, when the BSO also last performed in Tokyo and Osaka. The orchestra has not performed in Kyoto since 1989, and has not performed in Yokohama since 1986, both times under BSO Music Director Laureate Seiji Ozawa.