After making his debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood in the summer of 2010, our music director Johannes Debus was invited to return to work with the BSO for a second time this month, stepping in for Sir Colin Davis in a program of Haydn and Mozart April 8 through 12. He was wrapping up the COC tour to New York City with The Nightingale and Other Short Fables when he first heard about the possibility of returning: "I was on the bus to LaGuardia airport," he said, "when I got the e-mail from my agent." 

Although he'd worked with the BSO before, this was under somewhat different circumstances. Tanglewood, a summer festival away from the city, has "a certain spirit, a certain energy," he said, that gives it a special character. This time it would be at the BSO's main venue, as part of the main season, and in a non-operatic program. In a way it would be his official debut with the orchestra. Happily, he has found the orchestra to be warm, welcoming, and co-operative, "an orchestra with a human face."

There were two days of rehearsal before the performance, and before rehearsal he prepared by working through the score at the piano and listening to recordings of the three works. Asked if it is more difficult to prepare to conduct less familiar works, such as the Mozart and Haydn symphonies, he replied that it might actually be less difficult, because the orchestra has not settled into a certain way of playing them and the audience comes in with fewer expectations.

Johannes often takes a few photos of the conductor's room at the halls where he is conducting. Here are the photos from Boston:

   

It was his first time visiting Boston, so he didn't miss the chance to see the city. He took many photos, a few of which are below: 

  

 

 

 

 

After spending a week in Toronto, he's off again on a busy summer schedule that includes engagements at the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Staatsoper Berlin, the Spoleto Festival, and Festival Opéra de Québec.

All photos © Johannes Debus, 2011