ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The repertory for the cello has seen a huge expansion in the 125 years since Dvořák wrote his Cello Concerto, but it is still the most popular work ever written for the instrument. One hears echoes of it in countless works written since it was new, and it taught a lesson to Brahms, who said near the end of his life that he would have written a cello concerto himself if he had realized what the instrument, as demonstrated by Dvořák, was capable of doing. The concerto has a special place in the repertory of virtually all cellists – it acts as their official calling card. Every cellist seems to develop a uniquely personal relationship to this piece, an almost symbiotic connection between the character of the music and the personality of the cellist playing it.

Brahms’s Second Symphony will close out the program. This beloved symphony is the closest Brahms ever came to writing a “pastoral” symphony. With its wonderful evocation of the out of doors in bright sunshine – not a frequent occurrence in the music of Brahms.

This is a live concert that will be live streamed! and be sure to read through our support page for Boston Philharmonic virtual events.

Antonín Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor, Opus 104

• Cellist Hayoung Choi joins the Boston Philharmonic after her triumphant win in June 2022 at the Queen Elisabeth competition.
• Watch cellist Hayoung Choi’s winning performance in the Queen Elisabeth Competition 2022
• Dvořák composed this music for his cellist friend Hanuš Wihan in 1894.
• The piece premiered in London, England on March 19, 1896, with cellist Leo Stern. View further history of the piece.
• Watch and listen to the Boston Philharmonic perform Dvořák Cello Concerto in concert on October 20, 2018.

Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2 Symphony No. 2 in D major, Opus 73

• Brahms composed the symphony in the summer of 1877, while on a visit to Pörtschach am Wörthersee, an Austrian province of Carinthia
• The Vienna Philharmonic premiered the Symphony in Vienna on December 30, 1877, directed by Hans Richter.
• Watch Benjamin Zander’s Interpretation class of Brahms Symphony No. 2 with cellist Zachary Fung.
• Read more about the history of Brahm’s second symphony.

INFORMATION FOR TICKET BUYERS

• All Boston Philharmonic Orchestra concerts make use of a stage extension. This makes row E the first row directly in front of the stage. View Symphony Hall Seat Map to see where the extension overlaps and where any viewer obstructions are located before you choose your seats.
• If you are choosing to have your tickets emailed to you, your tickets are print-at-home and not digital or e-tickets. This means that you will receive an email with PDF attachments. One PDF per ticket that you purchased. You must print your PDF ticket(s) out and bring them with you to the concert. Print-at-home tickets are a convenience for ticket buyers so that they may receive their tickets right away.
• View our Ticket Policies page for further information.