BSO — 2026/10/24

 Again this week the BOS sandwiches new music between pieces by a grat performer. This week the concert begins and ends with Mendelssohn. https://www.classicalwcrb.org/show/the-boston-symphony-orchestra/2026-09-08/nagano-leads-the-bso-in-mendelssohn-and-premieres-by-machover-and-nante

Saturday, October 24, 2026
8:00 PM

Esteemed conductor Kent Nagano leads the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides Overture, inspired by one of Mendelssohn's trips to the British Isles. After, Nagano conducts two premieres: the world premiere of Tod Machover’s already and not yet, and the U.S. premiere of Alex Nante’s Ein feste Burg, based on the Bach Chorale “Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott,” BWV 302. That same Bach Chorale is woven into the musical fabric of Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, titled "Reformation."

Kent Nagano, conductor

Felix MENDELSSOHN The Hebrides Overture (“Fingal's Cave”)
Tod MACHOVER already and not yet (World premiere; BSO commission)
Alex NANTE Ein feste Burg (U.S. premiere)
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 5, Reformation

Watch an in-depth discussion with composer Tod Machover, GBH Music's Brian McCreath, and NOVA's Caitlin Saks about already and not yet:

Watch PhD candidate Manaswi Mishra demonstrate how the live AI system works:

Learn more about the Boston Symphony Orchestra's 2026-2027 season on their site.

In a conversation with CRB's Brian McCreath, Kent Nagano recounts his deep personal history with Boston over the years, describes his friendship and collaboration with Tod Machover, and reveals the themes that tie all of the music in this program together. To listen, use the player above, and read the transcript below.

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT (lightly edited for clarity):

Brian McCreath I'm Brian McCreath at Symphony Hall with Kent Nagano, and what a fascinating program. Thanks for a little of your time today. I appreciate it.

Kent Nagano It's a great pleasure to be here.

The BSO's page tells us more and gives the usual links: https://www.bso.org/works/machover-already-and-not-yet

Boston Symphony Orchestra Kent Nagano, conductor Tod Machover, composer MENDELSSOHN The Hebrides Overture (Fingal's Cave)  Tod MACHOVER already and not yet (World premiere; BSO commission)  Alex NANTE Ein feste Burg (U.S. premiere)  MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 5, Reformation  

As a visionary composer, inventor and faculty director of the MIT Media Lab, Tod Machover’s boundless imagination for exploring technology’s place in the world through music has resulted in commissions with leading orchestras around the world, seven musically and technologically innovative operas, collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, and the Boston Pops, and groundbreaking work with medical and wellness practitioners. already and not yet incorporates a live AI system that collaborates with each BSO musician while also creating surprising links and blends across the orchestra, providing what the composer calls a “possible, positive vision” for the future of democracy. This new commission for the BSO reflects our legacy of driving innovation in orchestral music. Leading this varied program is esteemed American conductor Kent Nagano, a longtime champion of Machover’s work.

It will be interestin to hear what the AI brings to the performance,

The Globe has a preview https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/10/22/arts/machover-bso-ai-symphony/?p1=BGSearch_Advanced_Results and there is an extensive review in the Intelligencer. https://classical-scene.com/2026/10/23/machover-mendelssohn-nante/ 

BTW if you missed last Saturday's concert or just want to hear it again, you can listeen to the rebraodcast on Monday, Oct. 26 at 8:00 p.., Boston Time,