The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Andris Nelsons have unveiled an ambitious 2025–26 season marking several milestones, with programming that reflects on the American experience, the power of faith and nature, and the legacy of Boston’s Symphony Hall. Running from September 17, 2025, through May 3, 2026, the season brings together historic works and new commissions, world-class soloists and ensembles, and a series of thematic initiatives that place music in dialogue with some of the most enduring questions of our time.
A season of themes: from America’s identity to the wonders of the natural world
At the heart of the season is E Pluribus Unum: From Many, One, a multi-year project exploring the richness and diversity of American classical music. With more than three dozen works by American composers, the initiative includes concert opera performances of Samuel Barber’s Vanessa and excerpts from John Adams’ Nixon in China, tributes to John Williams and Leonard Bernstein, and a significant focus on living voices such as Tania León, Carlos Simon, and Allison Loggins-Hull. Performances of music by Antonín Dvořák—whose Symphony No. 9, From the New World remains one of the most famous musical responses to America—connect past and present.
In parallel, two long-term thematic focuses extend across the season: Faith in Our Time and Where Words End: Music and the Natural World. These strands explore how composers respond to spiritual experience and the environment. Highlights include Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis—performed to mark Symphony Hall’s 125th anniversary—Carlos Simon’s Good News Mass, Thomas Adès’ Aquifer, and works by Gabriella Smith, David Lang, and Grace-Evangeline Mason.
Symphony Hall at 125
The opening weeks of the season celebrate the 125th anniversary of Symphony Hall, inaugurated in October 1900. A re-creation of the hall’s first concert, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, leads the commemorations, along with music composed around the turn of the 20th century by Claude Debussy, Gustav Mahler, Amy Beach, and Charles Loeffler. Humanities events throughout the season will explore the architectural and cultural history of Symphony Hall and its place in Boston’s civic life.
The celebratory atmosphere extends to the free Concert for the City, a newly created College Music Showcase, and a gala performance featuring an all-American program with soprano Golda Schultz and jazz saxophonist James Carter. The Boston Pops also join the festivities with a concert led by Keith Lockhart and Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez performing the music of Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Augustin Hadelich in residence
One of today’s most acclaimed violinists, Augustin Hadelich becomes the BSO’s 2025–26 Artist in Residence. His season includes two appearances with the orchestra—performing John Adams’ Violin Concerto and Thomas Adès’ Concentric Paths—chamber concerts with the Boston Symphony Chamber Players, a solo recital, and a performance at MIT alongside pianist Orion Weiss, with music from their album American Road Trip. Hadelich will also lead educational activities with youth music programs in the Boston area.
Commissions and premieres
True to its tradition, the BSO continues to support the creation of new work. The season includes world premieres of works by Carlos Simon, Tania León, and Andrew Norman, as well as the Good News Mass by Simon and an eagerly anticipated Horn Concerto by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Other notable premieres include John Williams’ Piano Concerto performed by Emanuel Ax, Allison Loggins-Hull’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Joni, and Outi Tarkiainen’s Day Night Day.
The Pops season features live-to-picture performances of The Princess Bride and Hocus Pocus, a Halloween screening of The Phantom of the Opera with live organ, and cultural celebrations for Día de Muertos, the Lunar New Year, and St. Patrick’s Day.
Leading artists and conductors
The roster of soloists includes Yuja Wang, Yunchan Lim, Seong-Jin Cho, Lang Lang, Evgeny Kissin, and Midori. Vocalists featured this season include Renée Fleming, Jennifer Holloway, Golda Schultz, Anne Sofie von Otter, and Thomas Hampson. Guest conductors include Thomas Adès, Herbert Blomstedt, Jonathon Heyward, Susanna Mälkki, Nodoka Okisawa, and Esa-Pekka Salonen, alongside BSO Artistic Partner Thomas Wilkins and assistant conductors Samy Rachid and Anna Handler.
Notable co-presentations include performances by the Vienna Philharmonic with Andris Nelsons and Lang Lang, the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, and students from the Interlochen Arts Academy joined by Yo-Yo Ma.
Looking forward
With its combination of historic perspective and forward-looking creativity, the BSO’s 145th season invites audiences to experience music as a space for reflection, connection, and celebration. “These aren’t simply organizing principles,” said Chad Smith, BSO President and CEO. “They’re invitations for our audiences to engage with music’s profound ability to illuminate our shared humanity and reflect the world around us.”
More information and subscription packages are available at bso.org
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