BSO — 2025/04/19

 WCRB tells us:

Saturday, April 19, 2025
8:00 PM

Mitsuko Uchida has, from an early age, been considered a standout interpreter of Beethoven. The Fourth Concerto’s opening lets the instrument speak for itself — intimately and delicately — leading the way for the rest of the ensemble. Shostakovich’s Fifteenth Symphony is his last symphony and is full of quotations, codes, clues, and ambiguity.

Andris Nelsons, conductor
Mitsuko Uchida, piano

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 15

The BSO's performance detail page gives us links to the program notes for each piece and this slightly longer blurb:

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Symphony Hall, Boston, MA 

Andris Nelsons, conductor
Mitsuko Uchida, piano

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4
-Intermission-
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 15

Mitsuko Uchida has, from an early age, been considered a standout interpreter of Beethoven. The Fourth is considered the first of Beethoven’s piano concertos to depart from the format prescribed by Mozart (an orchestral introduction with a dramatic solo entrance). The concerto’s opening lets the instrument speak for itself — intimately and delicately so—to lead the way for the rest of the ensemble. Shostakovich’s Fifteenth Symphony is his last symphony and is full of quotations, codes, clues, and ambiguity. This is an experience defying description that invites the listener to create their own personal interpretation.

The reviewer in the Globe liked both parts of the concert, especially the Beethoven. So far, there's no review in the Intelligencer.

It should be a good concert. By all means, listen to the Beethoven if you're free, and see what you think of the Shostakovich. I'll be in church for the Ester Vigil, but if it weren't Holy Saturday, I'd be listening.