BSO — 2025/03/01

 The Boston Symphony begins with a new piece and then gives us two infrequently peerformed pieces by Tchaikovsky. Here's what WCRB says about the concert:

8:00 PM

Acclaimed Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz wrote her ballet score Revolución diamantina with Mexican writer Cristina Rivera Garza. The piece explores the powerful, feminist “Glitter Revolution” campaign in Mexico to highlight the epidemic of violence against women. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wonderfully depicts love’s passion and an infernal whirlwind in his tone poem Francesca da Rimini, and Alban Gerhardt is soloist in the composer’s charming Variations on a Rococo Theme.

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
Alban Gerhardt, cello
The Crossing 
 Donald Nally, Artistic Director

Gabriela ORTIZ Revolución diamantina
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello and orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY Francesca da Rimini

In a preview of this concert, conductor Giancarlo Guerrero describes Gabriela Ortiz's Revolución diamantina, how Tchaikovksy's music relates to it, and what he's looking forward to in his new position as Music Director of the Sarasota Orchestra next season. Listen with the player above, and read the transcript below.

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT:

Brian McCreath I'm Brian McCreath at Symphony Hall with Giancarlo Guerrero, who's back with the Boston Symphony, and another fascinating program, just like others that you have led in the past. Giancarlo, thanks a lot for your time today.

The orchestra's performance detail page expresses it a little differently:

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Symphony Hall, Boston, MA 

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor 
Alban Gerhardt, cello 
The Crossing 
 Donald Nally, Artistic Director

Gabriela ORTIZ Revolución diamantina
-Intermission-
TCHAIKOVSKY Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello and orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY Francesca da Rimini

Acclaimed Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz, known for her vibrant instrumental colors and skill with dramatic narrative, wrote her ballet score Revolución diamantina with Mexican writer Cristina Rivera Garza. The recording of the piece won this year’s Grammy Awards for best classical compendium, best orchestral performance, and best contemporary classical composition. Ortiz explores the powerful Mexican feminist “Glitter Revolution” campaign to highlight an epidemic of violence against women. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wonderfully depicts love’s passion and an infernal whirlwind in his tone poem Francesca da Rimini, inspired by a historic injustice recounted in Dante’s Inferno. Murdered by her husband, Francesca suffers in the second level of hell for her lustfulness, buffeted by an eternal storm. As a contrast, Alban Gerhardt is soloist in the composer’s charming Variations on a Rococo Theme.

This week, they're linking the program notes so you can "read all about it."

There is an approving review in the Globe  — except for the cellist, whom the reviewer finds "bland." On the other hand, the reviewer in the Intelligencer was satisfied with the cellist but a bit disappointed in the conductor's approach to Francesca da Rimini.

I'm a bit curious to hear "Revolución diamantina," but I'm not expecting to find it especially beautiful. I remember the spaghetti sauce commercial where the Italian lady approves of the store-bought sauce, saying "You gotta try new things." The Tchaikovsky should be pleasant. You can hear as much or as little as you want beginning at 8:00 p.m.* Boston Time this evening and on March 10 over WCRB.

*  or at 9:00, (which should be during intermission) if you choose to skip the "Revolución."