Boston Philharmonic Orchestra

Overview

The Boston Philharmonic’s vision radiates through the energy and passion of its players, under the distinguished and dynamic leadership of Benjamin Zander, and is manifest in the lively pre-concert talks when Mr. Zander unravels the meaning and shape of the music in the context of the composer’s era.

Joining the Orchestra in our Opening Night Concert is 13-year-old piano virtuoso, George Li, an already quite astonishingly celebrated young artist who won the World Piano Competition at age 9, followed by his debut with the Xiamin Philharmonic of China, and a performance at Carnegie Hall.

Related Sites

• Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Official Web Site
• Piano Soloist George Li on The Martha Sterwart Show

Program

• Bartόk - Dance Suite
• Saint-Saёns - Piano Concerto No. 2
• Dvorak - Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”

The Boston Philharmonic may be 30 years old, but it is very young at heart, and this program is absolutely bounding with youthful high spirits. First of all, our soloist, thirteen year old George Li. When you see him walk out on stage, diminutive of stature and slight of frame, you might well wonder how he could make a piano heard above the sound of a full symphony orchestra. Nothing prepares you for the torrential sound that he unleashes from the instrument, without any apparent effort, nor for the uncanny maturity and subtlety of his playing Saint-Saëns enormously popular Second Piano Concerto. This young boy from Boston has already been a guest on prominent talk shows and featured in the television series From the Top at Carnegie Hall. His performance of a Moszkowski etude on the Martha Stewart Show can be seen on YouTube. To watch George on From the Top at Carnegie Hall, visit pbs.org. Part of the thrill of hearing him play in person is the certainty that one is present at the beginning stage of what will be a major career.

The other works on the program continue this theme of youthful promise. Bartók’s Dance Suite abounds in color, élan, and the piquant melodic twists of Hungarian folk music. One can easily imagine its being danced by a group of young, slightly tipsy Hungarian peasants (albeit rather sophisticated Hungarian peasants). To conclude, the ever-youthful “New World” Symphony of Dvo?ak, a paean to a country that was still growing and finding its way. If you’re wondering what concert to bring your children to, this is it!