The Boston Symphony Orchestra dominates the classical scene in the Hub because, well, it’s arguably the greatest symphony in the world. But as the BSO begins its 2022-23 season, it’s important to look around the range of exceptional organizations opening their own season. So from Symphony Hall to events around the city, the fall will be full of old favorites and modern masterpieces.
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The Boston Symphony Orchestra
All of the new and recently composed works the BSO presents this fall come from female composers including pieces from Jessie Montgomery, Julia Adolphe and Caroline Shaw. It shows a welcome commitment from the orchestra to expand the canon, which will be well represented by the BSO over the next nine months. The fall will be a piano-heavy schedule featuring Awadagin Pratt, Emanuel Ax, Lang Lang, Yuja Wang and more. Down the road in 2023, legendary violinist Midori performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, conductor Karina Canellakis makes her Symphony Hall debut for Karel Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto No. 2 plus Brahms, Wagner, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. (bso.org)
The Boston Philharmonic
The Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s 2022-2023 concert season marks maestro Benjamin Zander’s 50th year as a conductor. Zander is a force of nature and a force for good in the classical music world (you must Google his Ted talk!). The conductor has made sure to select works for both organization’s seasons that played an important role in his life and work. The BPO opens with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. Later concerts will include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. (bostonphil.org)
Castle of Our Skins
A local concert and educational series devoted to celebrating Black artistry through music, Castle of Our Skins has put together another rich season. A few highlights: In October, at Boston University, the organization will put on lectures, master classes and performances connected to the life and works of Pulitzer-Prize winning composer George Walker. In December, back in residence at the Longy School of Music of Bard College, it will put on three days of events focused on the music of Anthony R. Green. The Green celebration continues in April with the world premiere of his multimedia project examining the seven years of isolation endured by abolitionist and writer Harriet Jacobs. (castleskins.org)
Handel & Haydn Society
Bach done on the period instruments he wrote for, a Baroque Christmas and the genius that is Handel’s “Messiah” will all be wonderful — as you might expect. But H&H has some nice surprises on the calendar. In November, the organization presents first-ever complete performances of Mozart’s comic opera “The Marriage of Figaro” featuring titanic talent of operatic soprano Ying Fang. Down the road in 2023 will be the complete Brandenburg Concertos, and conductor Anthony Trecek-King and countertenor Reginald Mobley debut their collaboration “Crossing the Deep,” which explores Old and New World music inspired by the Bible, from spirituals to Handel’s music. (handelandhaydn.org)
