Boston Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven Piano Concerto No 1 & Petrushka

The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s residency pairs two giants who changed the course of classical music: Beethoven and Stravinsky. Superstar Lang Lang kicks off with Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto. Lang Lang’s approachable, communicative artistry has brought millions of new fans around the world to the music that he loves. He opens the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s three-part series with the dazzling concerto the young Beethoven first published. Then comes Petrushka, one of the trilogy of groundbreaking works for the Ballets Russes with which Stravinsky made his name. The ballet tells the tale of three puppets brought to life by the bewitching flute melody of the Magician. Petrushka loves the Ballerina, but she only has eyes for his nemesis, the dashing Moor. Stravinksy conjures up this colourful cast, and the bustling atmosphere of the Shrovetide Fair, with quirky quotations from Russian folk melodies and fantastically original orchestration. Programme Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No 1 Igor Stravinsky Petrushka Performers Boston Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons conductor Lang Lang piano