The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Andris Nelsons have announced the appointment of Thomas Adès as the orchestra's first-ever Artistic Partner for a three-year period starting in the autumn of 2016. Adès's rich commitment to the BSO will span a wide range of activities reflecting his many gifts as one of the greatest musical minds of the 21st century; he will become an integral figure at the BSO-both in Symphony Hall and Tanglewood-as composer, conductor, performer, and teacher.
Adès will assume his new position as the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Deborah and Philip Edmundson Artistic with a performance of his monumental and critically acclaimed Totentanz, for mezzo-soprano, baritone, and orchestra with soloists Christianne Stotijn and Mark Stone. In what is sure to be a highlight of the recital offerings in Boston in 2016-17, Mr. Adès will join frequent collaborator, tenor Ian Bostridge, for a performance of Schubert's Winterreise
In the 2018-19 season, the BSO will present the highly anticipated world premiere of Mr. Adès's BSO-commissioned Piano Concerto, with Kirill Gerstein as soloist.
In addition to his work with the BSO at Symphony Hall, Adès will also play a prominent role at Tanglewood, where he will be the Director of the Festival of Contemporary Music in 2018 and 2019. His role at Tanglewood will also include working closely with the Fellows of the Tanglewood Music Center-the BSO's acclaimed summer music academy-in the roles of teacher, performer, and conductor. Further details on Mr. Adès's activities at Tanglewood will be available as part of the 2017 Tanglewood season announcement in November 2016.
"It is incredibly exciting for me and my beloved BSO that the exceptional Thomas Adès will join us as Artistic Partner and work very closely with us to create fascinating programs for our devoted audiences here in Boston, at Tanglewood, and, through broadcasts and recordings, around the world," said BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons.
"I am delighted to be joining the BSO family of musicians and colleagues and to embark on this particular artistic adventure," said Adès. "From my first rehearsal with this amazing orchestra - almost exactly five years ago - I knew that we shared a musical wavelength, and in our subsequent meetings I've been gratified to sense the relationship deepening each time. It seems natural now to broaden the experience beyond conducting and chamber music to include composing specifically for these gifted players and teaching alongside them-not to mention sharing the unique 'total immersion' experience of Tanglewood. I'm so grateful to Andris Nelsons, Mark Volpe, Tony Fogg, and the BSO musicians for this opportunity, and I very much look forward to contributing to-and partaking of-the cultural delights offered by the wonderful city of Boston."