BSO unveils spring series of concerts

Chief conductor, Kirill Karabits, returns for eight performances throughout the spring series, many of which are being livestreamed for audiences around the UK and further afield.

Meanwhile a number of artists will be making their debut with the BSO and it will the first full run for new principal guest conductor, Mark Wigglesworth, and artist-in-residence, Felix Klieser.

Highlights of a hugely varied programme include Rachmaninov Symphony No 2, Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Carmen Ho's Unforged, along with works by Mozart, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, Brahms, Prokofiev, Borodin and Beethoven.

A particular highlight of Karabits' spring programmes include a performance of Nurymov’s Symphony No. 2, a rarely performed work which he introduces to the BSO audiences as part of his ongoing Voices from the East series, a project spearheaded by the chief conductor seeing him perform and record forgotten orchestral masterpieces from former Soviet countries.

There are BSO debuts for conductors Kerem Hasan, Teresa Riveiro Böhm, Case Scaglione and Chloé van Soeterstède, pianists Federico Colli and Alexander Malofeev, violinist Kristóf Baráti, and cellist Edgar Moreau.

BSO chief executive, Dougie Scarfe, said “It is with great pride that we launch our Spring Season concerts, continuing a season in which we renew that special bond between orchestra and audience.

"It has been such a joy to have audiences back in the hall alongside our livestream viewers, enabling us to reach an ever-growing number of people."

In addition to the performance schedule across the south west, education and community work will continue to a big priority for the orchestra.

In May, the BSO relaunches its Schools’ Concerts series.

Its popular series of dementia-friendly Cake Concerts continues, with BSO musicians performing short chamber music works for those living with dementia and their carers.

For full details of the concert programme which begins on January 12, see bsolive.com.