BSO — 2023/02/11

A brand new piece and one we don't hear often, then after intermission a warhorse. Here's WCRB's synopsis and the beginning words on the interview transcript:

Saturday, February 11, 2023
8:00 PM

Encore broadcast on Monday, February 20

British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason makes his Boston Symphony debut with Ernest Bloch’s Schelomo, and Andris Nelsons conducts the world premiere of Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances and Beethoven’s poetic Symphony No. 7.

Andris Nelsons, conductor
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello

Carlos SIMON Four Black American Dances (world premiere)
BLOCH Schelomo: Rhapsodie hébraïque, for cello and orchestra
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

To hear a preview of Bloch's Schelomo with Sheku Kanneh-Mason, use the player above, and read the transcript below.

For information about Carlos Simon's Requiem for the Enslaved, visit Hub New Music.

For information about Sheku Kanneh-Mason's Song, visit Decca.

TRANSCRIPT:

Brian McCreath I'm Brian McCreath at Symphony Hall with Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who's here in Boston for actually the third time, but the first time with the Boston Symphony. Sheku, thanks a lot for your time today. I appreciate it.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason Thank you so much for havin

The BSO performance detail page gives the following brief blurb along with links to the full program notes:

Exciting young English cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason makes his BSO debut in Ernest Bloch’s 1916 Schelomo ("King Solomon"), in which the expansively melodic cello role represents the voice of the king. Opening the concert is the premiere of a BSO-commissioned work by the talented Washington, D.C.-based composer Carlos Simon. Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 builds in excitement from its atmospheric introduction through its thrilling finale.

The reviews, both in the Intelligencer and the Globe, are favorable, although the Globe isn't happy with some of the tempi in the Beethoven.

I had a meeting to attend on Thursday, so I missed my chance to hear it then although it was part of my subscription. So I'm especially looking forward to hearing the first half of the concert this evening. I'm confident the Beethoven will be okay despite the critic's quibbles. I'll miss at least part of it because of my brother's call from Tokyo, but that's okay. There will be a chance on the 20th.

Enjoy!