Boston Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Andris Nelsons Announce 2025–26 Season

The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Andris Nelsons announce their 2025–26 season—the orchestra’s 145th and one of its most ambitious, idea-driven, and innovative ever—running from September 17, 2025, through May 3, 2026. Interwoven with programmatic themes, the season celebrates anniversary milestones in America’s, Boston’s, and Symphony Hall’s history; reflects upon how faith and spirituality inspire creativity and insight; and explores how artists past and present respond to the changing natural environment. These themes take center stage not only in musical performances but also alongside collaborations with scholars, activists, and artists who will deepen our understanding of our historical, cultural, and intellectual landscapes. 

Continuing the BSO’s unparalleled legacy of supporting contemporary composers and premiering new music, the 2025–26 season offers five world or American premiere commissions, including two by Composer Chair Carlos Simon, and several Boston premieres of BSO-commissioned works. In a season-long residency, violinist Augustin Hadelich performs two programs with the BSO, guest performs with the Boston Symphony Chamber Players (BSCP), and gives two recitals while also working with students in the community. 

Rounding out his 30th anniversary year, Keith Lockhart conducts the Boston Pops throughout the season with star soloists like Mandy Gonzalez and concerts celebrating Halloween, the Day of the Dead, the Lunar New Year, and St. Patrick’s Day. Artistic Partner for Education Thomas Wilkins returns to conduct a gospel-themed BSO concert as well as the annual Youth and Family Concert Series. The Tanglewood Festival Chorus (James Burton, conductor) joins the BSO for six programs including the orchestra’s first-ever performances of Samuel Barber’s opera Vanessa. Co-presentations of visiting orchestras include the Vienna Philharmonic, with Nelsons conducting and soloist Lang Lang, the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, and students from the Interlochen Arts Academy and soloist Yo-Yo Ma. With guest performances by many of the world’s most highly acclaimed soloists (Seong-Jin Cho, Renée Fleming, Evgeny Kissin, Yunchan Lim, Midori, and Yuja Wang, to name a few), conductors, and choral ensembles, the coming BSO season offers audiences many opportunities through both concerts and related humanities events in Symphony Hall and at community venues to experience extraordinary music-making and its timeless capacity to inspire joy, offer solace, and unite us in our shared humanity. 

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