For the 2016-17 season, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has plans to shake things up, starting with the appointment of the orchestra’s very first artistic partner, Thomas Adès. The venerable British conductor and composer will join the BSO and the Boston Symphony Chamber Players for three years as a resident conductor and performer, beginning with an Oct. 28 performance of Schubert’s Winterreise, which has Adès taking a seat at the piano. Adès’ first fall with the orchestra will also include Nov. 3-5 performances of the composer’s own 2013 composition for baritone, mezzo-soprano and orchestra, Totentanz (Dance of Death). We tapped the—rather cheeky—Adès for some intel on what we can expect from his time with the BSO.
On whether they created the position just for him… “They did! Which I think is very sensible because we musicians come in all different shapes and sizes.”
On what he hopes to accomplish… “Make wonderful noises.”
On his dream piece to perform or conduct with the BSO… “A rock opera by Johann Strauss Jr. based on Game of Thrones featuring Björk, Beyoncé and Steeleye Span.”
On whether he’s excited to perform his own work… “Uncontrollably.”
On how he’d describe that work to the uninitiated… “A riot at a medieval Super Bowl with the teams Death vs. the Human Race. There can only be one winner, but the crowd is with the human race and we’re playing at home.”
THE IMPROPER’S 2016 FALL ARTS PREVIEW: DANCE | VISUAL ARTS | THEATER | COMEDY
Sounds of the Season
By Alexandra Cavallo | Photo Credit: Stu Rosner | Sept. 16, 2016
Electric Conductor
For the 2016-17 season, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has plans to shake things up, starting with the appointment of the orchestra’s very first artistic partner, Thomas Adès. The venerable British conductor and composer will join the BSO and the Boston Symphony Chamber Players for three years as a resident conductor and performer, beginning with an Oct. 28 performance of Schubert’s Winterreise, which has Adès taking a seat at the piano. Adès’ first fall with the orchestra will also include Nov. 3-5 performances of the composer’s own 2013 composition for baritone, mezzo-soprano and orchestra, Totentanz (Dance of Death). We tapped the—rather cheeky—Adès for some intel on what we can expect from his time with the BSO.
On whether they created the position just for him… “They did! Which I think is very sensible because we musicians come in all different shapes and sizes.”
On what he hopes to accomplish… “Make wonderful noises.”
On his dream piece to perform or conduct with the BSO… “A rock opera by Johann Strauss Jr. based on Game of Thrones featuring Björk, Beyoncé and Steeleye Span.”
On whether he’s excited to perform his own work… “Uncontrollably.”
On how he’d describe that work to the uninitiated… “A riot at a medieval Super Bowl with the teams Death vs. the Human Race. There can only be one winner, but the crowd is with the human race and we’re playing at home.”
THE IMPROPER’S 2016 FALL ARTS PREVIEW: DANCE | VISUAL ARTS | THEATER | COMEDY
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