Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

BRITTEN / TCHAIKOVSKY / IVES / RAVEL

britten
Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
(16 minutes)

Tchaikovsky
Piano Concerto No. 1  
(32 minutes)

Ives
Three Places in New England
(19 minutes)

Ravel
Daphnis et Chloe: Suite No. 2
(18 minutes)

Benjamin Zander, conductor

Anna Fedorova, piano

 

 

 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The second concert comes just a few days before my 85th birthday. Instead of taking it easy, I’ve programmed what may be the most varied and demanding BPYO concert ever. Indeed, these works—from four different musical traditions—would present a huge challenge for any orchestra and any conductor.
 
When I was young, I had the good fortune to be a protégé of Benjamin Britten, the greatest English opera composer since Henry Purcell. Our family spent three summers in Aldeburgh, where—eight years earlier—Britten had completed his most famous opera, Peter Grimes. Throughout the opera, Britten sets to music the sounds of the very sea that I remember so well, excerpts now known as the Four Sea Interludes.
 
We are thrilled to welcome back the fine Ukrainian pianist Anna Fedorova, who stole our hearts with her performance of the Rachmaninov Second Piano Concerto in Symphony Hall, and again on the BPYO tour of Brazil in 2019. Her YouTube performance of Rachmianinov’s Second has been viewed thirty-nine million times! The Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto is in Anna’s blood and she has become the perfect advocate of great Russian art, which we honor and do not confuse with current events.
 
Charles Ives’s Three Places in New England is a powerfully visual work, with historic and natural imagery familiar to many in this region. It is a strangely moving piece when heard in live performances. Although we do not have pre-concert talks before BPYO concerts, I will take the time to explain the piece before we perform it, so that its greatness and message will be apparent to everyone. I didn’t love this piece at first; its profound beauties were revealed during many long conversations with my dear colleague John Heiss, who passed away in August. It is with profound respect that we will dedicate this concert to the memory of our cherished friend and teacher, who came so often to coach the BPYO with his unsurpassed understanding and legendary ear. “When Mr. Heiss walks into the room,” said one of the wind players, “we play better.”
 
The program concludes with one of the greatest of all musical poems about the natural world, Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2. Its opening depiction of sunrise may be the most stirring crescendo in all of music. Its dazzling orchestration challenges every member of Ravel’s enormous orchestra, the largest he ever wrote for.

-Benjamin Zander

MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM

This is a live concert that will be live-streamed! Be sure to read through our support page for Boston Philharmonic virtual events. Our Live Streams and On Demand events are viewable on computers, smartphones, and tablets. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to view these events on your television at this time.


Information for ticket buyers

  • All Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra concerts make use of a stage extension. This makes row E the first row directly in front of the stage. View Symphony Hall Seat Map to see where the extension overlaps and where any viewer obstructions are located before you choose your seats.
  • If you are choosing to have your tickets emailed to you, your tickets are print-at-home and not digital or e-tickets. This means that you will receive an email with PDF attachments. One PDF per ticket that you purchased. You must print your PDF ticket(s) out and bring them with you to the concert. Print-at-home tickets are a convenience for ticket buyers so that they may receive their tickets right away.
  • View our Ticket Policies page for further information.

All dates, repertoire, venues, and artists are subject to change. 

SUNday, March 3, 2024
3:00PM / Symphony Hall
There will be no pre-concert Guide to the music with Benjamin Zander before the concert. 

 

 

COVID-19 CONCERT POLICIES

  • No proof of vaccine is required for entry.
  • A negative Covid-19 test is not required for entry.
  • Masks are encouraged but not required to be worn while inside Symphony Hall. 

 Review the current Covid-19 policies for further information. 

For the 2023-2024 concert season all concerts will be held at Symphony Hall. To help you plan your visit please read:

Symphony Hall Policies