An All-John Williams Program with Emanuel Ax and Gil Shaham | E Pluribus Unum: From Many, One | January 22-25, 2026, Boston Symphony Hall | Piano Concerto to be recorded

[Jay 45,837]

Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
Emanuel Ax, Piano
Gil Shaham, Violin

All-John WILLIAMS program

1. "The Float" from Catch Me if You Can "Joy Ride" from Escapades
2. Piano Concerto
   intermission
3. TreeSong, for violin and orchestra
4. Theme from Schindler’s List
5. Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

 

Considered among the greatest film composers of all time, Boston Pops Conductor Laureate and longtime BSO family member John Williams is also known for his concert works. His new Piano Concerto, composed for Emanuel Ax, received its premiere at Tanglewood in summer 2025. Violinist Gil Shaham gave the world premiere of TreeSong with the BSO and Williams at Tanglewood in 2000; the piece was inspired by dawn redwood trees in Boston’s Public Garden and Arnold Arboretum. Shaham also plays the poignant Schindler’s List theme, and other music from Williams’s film scores begins and ends the program.

 

https://www.bso.org/events/jan-22-25-john-williams-prog?performance=2026-01-22-19%3A30

 

Thursday, January 22nd: 7:30pm

Friday, January 23rd: 1:30pm *Pre-concert talk

Saturday, January 24th: 8:00pm

Sunday, January 25th: 2:00pm *Pre-concert talk

[Marian Schedenig 11,611]

Now that's a concert they should take on tour! (I attended a brilliant Shostakovich 11 by the BSO & Nelsons in Vienna earlier this year)

[BB-8 6,118]

48 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said:

Now that's a concert they should take on tour! (I attended a brilliant Shostakovich 11 by the BSO & Nelsons in Vienna earlier this year)

Me too, but in Leipzig.

[Once 1,081]

8 hours ago, Jay said:

All-John WILLIAMS program

1. "The Float" from Catch Me if You Can
2. Piano Concerto
   intermission
3. TreeSong, for violin and orchestra
4. Theme from Schindler’s List
5. Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Great program! Was it ever confirmed or denied whether "The Float" (also programmed at the July premiere) is a new arrangement for piano?

[Tom 6,677]

1 hour ago, Once said:

Great program! Was it ever confirmed or denied whether "The Float" (also programmed at the July premiere) is a new arrangement for piano?

Never confirmed.  I am guessing it is more or less the film cue. 

[Once 1,081]

I guess "confirmed/denied" is a wrong way to phrase it anyway. It was merely speculation on @Maurizio's part - I just really, really love the idea of a piano-arrangement of the piece. 

[Tom 6,677]

I think that, if it were for piano, they would note that it is piano version and bill it as a world premiere arrangement or such.  

[Matt S. 719]

It would be great if this entire concert is recorded and put out on an album, and not just the piano concerto.  Has there been any information over the years if JW ever made any substantial revisions to TreeSong?

[Not Mr. Big 4,955]

Quote

Pluribus 

A reference to the new Vince Gilligan show?

[Mr. Hooper 8,686]

Wow, four performances!

 

How are these recordings usually done? Will they record all four and then choose the best?

[pete 1,322]

1 hour ago, Mr. Hooper said:

How are these recordings usually done? Will they record all four and then choose the best?

 

I somehow have the idea that the recording will be done in the studio. There was early mention of the January recording around the time of the premier, and that was my impression - rightly or wrongly!

[Maurizio 6,913]

2 hours ago, pete said:

 

I somehow have the idea that the recording will be done in the studio. There was early mention of the January recording around the time of the premier, and that was my impression - rightly or wrongly!

The BSO always records at Symphony Hall; it’s unclear if this will be done with proper recording sessions or if it’ll be a live recording.

 

8 hours ago, Tom said:

I think that, if it were for piano, they would note that it is piano version and bill it as a world premiere arrangement or such.  

True. The thing that made think of something new is the actual title—the piece as heard on the soundtrack album is an extension of the End Credit composition (7M4, manuscript title is “Frank and Carl”) made specifically for the OST album with the title “The ‘Float’”. After the film was out, Williams expanded it further as the third movement of the “Escapades” suite with a new title (“Joy Ride”), adding more solo lines for alto sax, vibes and bass and writing a whole new coda. This is the proper concert version of the piece and what was officially published  and performed live so far. I don’t think the version as heard on the OST album has ever been performed anywhere. This makes wonder if JW retooled the piece specifically for this performance.

[QuartalHarmony 992]

Recording all four concerts then editing together the best bits for CD etc. release would be much much more cost-effective than doing four concerts and then booking everyone all over again to do a separate studio recording. Especially when you're paying for two soloists of Ax's and Shaham's profile. You could then tout it as a 'Live Recording', which seems to be a selling point for many classical labels.

 

Given how much cash JW has brought into DG's coffers in the last few years, I know what I'd do if I were them.

 

Mark

[Steve 700]

58 minutes ago, QuartalHarmony said:

Given how much cash JW has brought into DG's coffers in the last few years, I know what I'd do if I were them.

True, but these former releases included Williams conducting himself. And most were film music releases. I doubt that the violin concerto sold even half the number of the Vienna or Berlin concert releases.

[QuartalHarmony 992]

Quite possibly, but it peaked at Number 3 in the UK classical charts and Number 4 in the US, so was not a poor seller by any reasonable definition.

[Naïve Old Fart 12,908]

On 18/11/2025 at 2:43 PM, Jay said:

"The Float" from Catch Me if You Can

 

Piano Concerto
...

TreeSong, for violin and orchestra

 

Theme from Schindler’s List

 

Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Well, that's a cozy ten minutes, isn't it?

[Marian Schedenig 11,611]

6 hours ago, QuartalHarmony said:

Recording all four concerts then editing together the best bits for CD etc. release would be much much more cost-effective than doing four concerts and then booking everyone all over again to do a separate studio recording. Especially when you're paying for two soloists of Ax's and Shaham's profile. You could then tout it as a 'Live Recording', which seems to be a selling point for many classical labels.

 

Not so much a selling points (for audio recordings at least; I guess video releases must be different), rather the only way labels can afford to record many orchestral works these days in the first place.

 

Live recordings have their share of advantages and disadvantages over studio (or merely non-live) recordings. Although with non-live recordings becoming rarer these days, I would imagine that current day performers are also less well trained to bring their A game to a performance without an audience.

[SteveMc 2,687]

Got a ticket for the Saturday show!

 

 

[BB-8 6,118]

I'm in for Patrick Doyle in Vienna now.

 

Ax in Berlin...

[BSOinsider 134]

A few updates for the upcoming Symphony Hall program:

 

Recording of the Piano Concerto is planned, which I assume was already known. Unusually though, no revisions to the piece have been made.

 

"The Float" has been replaced with the 3rd movement of Escapades "Joy Ride" which is much of the same material.

 

Maestro Williams is currently scheduled to attend with accommodations and flights booked, but personally I'm not holding my breath. Until he is actually present in-person in Symphony Hall I am assuming that some manner of health issue will prevent him from attending, despite his current intentions.

[Mr. Hooper 8,686]

On 21/12/2025 at 8:02 PM, Mr. Hooper said:

And if I will myself to a bleak, midwinter Boston, it'll be with this thought in mind. 

My comment stands. lol

[Tom 6,677]

41 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

My comment stands. lol

Your seventh cousin is having a birthday party that week.  You may need to be there to sing for several days in a row.  

[Mr. Hooper 8,686]

3 minutes ago, Tom said:

Your seventh cousin is having a birthday party that week.  You may need to be there to sing for several days in a row.  

[Mr. Hooper 8,686]

On 31/12/2025 at 2:41 PM, BSOinsider said:

A few updates for the upcoming Symphony Hall program:

 

Recording of the Piano Concerto is planned, which I assume was already known. Unusually though, no revisions to the piece have been made.

 

"The Float" has been replaced with the 3rd movement of Escapades "Joy Ride" which is much of the same material.

 

Maestro Williams is currently scheduled to attend with accommodations and flights booked, but personally I'm not holding my breath. Until he is actually present in-person in Symphony Hall I am assuming that some manner of health issue will prevent him from attending, despite his current intentions.

Is the plan for him to attend all four days?

 

Also, you would be the best person to ask: Will all four performances be recorded, and from those a selection will be made?

 

Thanks for any information.

[BB-8 6,118]

Disposure Day

[BSOinsider 134]

2 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Is the plan for him to attend all four days?

 

Yes, but again, I'm dubious. 

 

2 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

Will all four performances be recorded, and from those a selection will be made?

 

Yes, mostly. I'm not at all an expert in audio recording but from my recent experiences working with the BSO to get the DG Shostakovich albums recorded the process was for the engineers to capture every performance in the run of 3 or 4 shows, with an emergency time reserve for a 'patch session' scheduled for after the final performance. The patch session is rarely used but exists in case there is a serious flub in the exact same spot every night. It's my understanding that the engineers will use the various 'takes' to smooth over any issues rather than using a single performance verbatim, but someone who understands "live" orchestra recording more than me can comment with more expertise/detail. 

[Marian Schedenig 11,611]

30 minutes ago, BSOinsider said:

I'm not at all an expert in audio recording but from my recent experiences working with the BSO to get the DG Shostakovich albums recorded the process was for the engineers to capture every performance in the run of 3 or 4 shows, with an emergency time reserve for a 'patch session' scheduled for after the final performance.

 

Are you talking about the Nelsons cycle? I'm just making my way through that, and I wasn't aware that these were live recordings. The booklet (of the box set) lists all the recording dates, venues, and personnel, but never mentions that they were made from live performances, so I assumed (even if I was surprised) that they were "non-live".

[BSOinsider 134]

Just now, Marian Schedenig said:

 

Are you talking about the Nelsons cycle? I'm just making my way through that, and I wasn't aware that these were live recordings. The booklet (of the box set) lists all the recording dates, venues, and personnel, but never mentions that they were made from live performances, so I assumed (even if I was surprised) that they were "non-live".

 

Yes, the Nelsons Shostakovich cycle was recorded 'live' with audience present, aside from one or two short patch sessions directly following final performances. I suspect that the 'splicing' and 'patching' of different performances across several days prevents the label of "Live Recording" from being applied. My limited understanding is that the decision to record like this is mostly financial, but comes with the added benefit/challenge of the musical spontaneity and risk associated with live performance for an audience. Again, I'd be happy to hear from someone who works with audio recording for more detail/clarification. 

[Marian Schedenig 11,611]

Yes, I'm pretty sure both the financial aspect (the days when (classical) music sold so well that you could just pay musicians, venues, and technicians for just recordings seem to be long gone) and the musical one (it's a very different thing to perform for a live audience) are true.

 

In any case, thanks for the info. It's a stunning cycle. (As was the performance of the 1st violin concerto and the 11th symphony I attended in Vienna last spring)

[Holko 12,021]

So you didn't get to the end of the 5th yet. I think that's the only one where they left some of the applause in.

[BB-8 6,118]

So the piano concerto is going to be a DG release and not part of the pending Sony Anthology Vol. 3?

[Marian Schedenig 11,611]

5 hours ago, Holko said:

So you didn't get to the end of the 5th yet. I think that's the only one where they left some of the applause in.

 

Did they? I've finished the first twelve, and some of the concertos, but I don't remember noticing applause anywhere.

[Maurizio 6,913]

On 31/12/2025 at 8:41 PM, BSOinsider said:

A few updates for the upcoming Symphony Hall program:

 

Recording of the Piano Concerto is planned, which I assume was already known. Unusually though, no revisions to the piece have been made.

 

"The Float" has been replaced with the 3rd movement of Escapades "Joy Ride" which is much of the same material.

 

Maestro Williams is currently scheduled to attend with accommodations and flights booked, but personally I'm not holding my breath. Until he is actually present in-person in Symphony Hall I am assuming that some manner of health issue will prevent him from attending, despite his current intentions.

 

Thanks for the update. I really hope Mr. Williams makes it to Boston and enjoys another performance of his stellar Piano Concerto. I'm not surprised by the lack of revisions, as he has been probably too busy with Disclosure Day in the last few months to dedicate time to other things.

 

As I supposed, the presence of "The 'Float'" from CMYIC was somehow a strange inclusion that led me wonder if it was a reworked version. It makes much sense that it's now being labeled as the 3rd movement from the Escapades suite.

[Holko 12,021]

13 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said:

 

Did they? I've finished the first twelve, and some of the concertos, but I don't remember noticing applause anywhere.

Huh, maybe they removed it for the CD then.

[Mr. Hooper 8,686]

2 hours ago, Maurizio said:

As I supposed, the presence of "The 'Float'" from CMYIC was somehow a strange inclusion that led me wonder if it was a reworked version. It makes much sense that it's now being labeled as the 3rd movement from the Escapades suite.

Maybe for piano instead of alto sax?
 

[JohnnyD 1,823]

On 31/12/2025 at 2:41 PM, BSOinsider said:

A few updates for the upcoming Symphony Hall program:

 

Recording of the Piano Concerto is planned, which I assume was already known. Unusually though, no revisions to the piece have been made.

 

"The Float" has been replaced with the 3rd movement of Escapades "Joy Ride" which is much of the same material.

 

Maestro Williams is currently scheduled to attend with accommodations and flights booked, but personally I'm not holding my breath. Until he is actually present in-person in Symphony Hall I am assuming that some manner of health issue will prevent him from attending, despite his current intentions.

 

That's great!

 

3 hours ago, Maurizio said:

 

Thanks for the update. I really hope Mr. Williams makes it to Boston and enjoys another performance of his stellar Piano Concerto. I'm not surprised by the lack of revisions, as he has been probably too busy with Disclosure Day in the last few months to dedicate time to other things.

 

Me too! That's precisely it.

[Foxfan 233]

With Maestro Williams now unofficially slated to be in attendance, is there anyone now considering making the trip to Boston?

 

Mighty tempting, though with four performances, can we realistically expect him to be at all of them (even if not conducting)? Or just the Thursday night premiere or another time (Friday matinee, Saturday evening, Sunday matinee)?

 

Just checked and there are still MANY seats available. The Friday afternoon would actually work best for me. Website says there is even a pre-concert talk that day where perhaps he could make a surprise entrance?

[Maestro 1,594]

Some clown is also giving a pre-concert talk on that Sunday:

 

https://www.bso.org/events/jan-22-25-john-williams-prog

[mrbellamy 8,082]

I think it'd be great publicity for the book if you were dressed like an actual clown 

[Mr. Hooper 8,686]

1 hour ago, Foxfan said:

Mighty tempting, though with four performances, can we realistically expect him to be at all of them (even if not conducting)? Or just the Thursday night premiere or another time (Friday matinee, Saturday evening, Sunday matinee)?

He did, as I recall, attend all three performances last April at Disney Hall.

Thursday tickets are 30% off, by the way.

[Tom 6,677]

22 minutes ago, mrbellamy said:

I think it'd be great publicity for the book if you were dressed like an actual clown 

 

[Foxfan 233]

45 minutes ago, Maestro said:

Some clown is also giving a pre-concert talk on that Sunday:

 

https://www.bso.org/events/jan-22-25-john-williams-prog

 

Oh cool! I hadn't even noticed the name!  Could even bring my copy of the book to get signed!

 

Aww but I just noticed it's a different speaker on Friday. I have to be back in Québec to work on Sunday. :/

30 minutes ago, Mr. Hooper said:

He did, as I recall, attend all three performances last April at Disney Hall.

Thursday tickets are 30% off, by the way.

 

Are you going? Maybe we can start a carpool from La Belle Province! 

[Marian Schedenig 11,611]

10 hours ago, Holko said:

10 hours ago, Marian Schedenig said:

Did they? I've finished the first twelve, and some of the concertos, but I don't remember noticing applause anywhere.

Huh, maybe they removed it for the CD then.

 

I checked. It wasn't my lack of attention, there really is no applause on the CD.

[Tom 6,677]

30 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said:

 

I checked. It wasn't my lack of attention, there really is no applause on the CD.

If that is how you like to listen to music, then you should attend a Zimmer concert.  

[Mr. Hooper 8,686]

2 hours ago, Foxfan said:

Are you going? Maybe we can start a carpool from La Belle Province! 

Which location? We could get a poutine to go! 
 

 

But seriously, I'm already set to go by bus, and will be taking the opportunity to tour Boston for a few days.

 

I'm eyeing the Thursday and Friday concerts... Saturday's reserved for the Bruins vs. Habs game at the TD Garden!

[BB-8 6,118]

5 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

I'm eyeing the Thursday and Friday concerts... Saturday's reserved for the Bruins vs. Habs game at the TD Garden!

According to Murphy's Law, John Williams will show up on Saturday.

[Mr. Hooper 8,686]

2 hours ago, BB-8 said:

According to Murphy's Law, John Williams will show up on Saturday.

John wouldn't do that to me. He knows I'm a hockey fan. lol

[BB-8 6,118]

Shawn Murphy's Law...

[Foxfan 233]

On 02/01/2026 at 8:07 PM, Mr. Hooper said:

Which location? We could get a poutine to go! 

 

But seriously, I'm already set to go by bus, and will be taking the opportunity to tour Boston for a few days.

 

I'm eyeing the Thursday and Friday concerts... Saturday's reserved for the Bruins vs. Habs game at the TD Garden!

 

I think I'm gonna decide last minute based on weather and whether we get leaks of JW showing up at rehearsals.

 

I'd drive down Thursday night, then park North of Boston Friday morning for the matinée BSO performance and pre-concert talk.

 

Going right home Saturday. Don't want my Québec-plated car targetted by Bruins fans. 

 

Noticed there is no orchestral concert at Symphony Hall Friday night, but Wynton Marsalis and his jazz band are taking over the hall to do a show there instead.

 

https://www.bso.org/events/jazz-at-lincoln-center-orch-2?performance=2026-01-23-20%3A00

 

[Mr. Hooper 8,686]

1 hour ago, Foxfan said:

Noticed there is no orchestral concert at Symphony Hall Friday night, but Wynton Marsalis and his jazz band are taking over the hall to do a show there instead.

 

https://www.bso.org/events/jazz-at-lincoln-center-orch-2?performance=2026-01-23-20%3A00

 

Intriguing. Thanks for the tip.