Beethoven's Ninth: New Year's Celebration

Ring in the New Year together with one of the world’s great musical touchstones. Beethoven’s Ninth, crowned by the exultant “Ode to Joy,” offers a powerful offers a powerful message of hope, unity, and shared humanity. Guest conductor Peter Oundjian returns to the BSO, bringing his natural rapport to a performance that gathers voices and players in a collective, uplifting celebration.

• Umoja originated as a chamber work and was later expanded for orchestra, revealing Valerie Coleman’s approach to scale and collective sound.
• Beethoven’s Elegiac Song is one of his rare choral works for voices and strings, written shortly before he began Symphony No. 9.
• Symphony No. 9 was Beethoven’s final symphony and the first to integrate soloists and chorus into the symphonic form.
• The “Ode to Joy” finale sets Friedrich Schiller’s text, expanding the symphony from instrumental statement to collective declaration.
• Peter Oundjian reunites with the BSO for a work that highlights close coordination between orchestra, chorus, and soloists.
• This all-Beethoven program contributes to the season’s Beethoven Immortal focus, reflecting the composer’s lasting impact through his choral works.

• Approximate run time: 2 hours with a 20-minute intermission.
• Late seating is not guaranteed, and will happen at the discretion of the front of house manager.
• Many Classical concerts include brief onstage remarks from the conductor and select performances feature pre-and post-concert talks.
• Come as you are. You'll see everything from casual to cocktail attire.