(Photo credit: Michael J. Lutch)
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has just announced that James Levine will be returning to the BSO on October 30, where he'll be conducting four of Beethoven's Symphonies (6, 7, 8 & 9) over the span of eight days.
In his sixth season as MD of the BSO, Levine, who was supposed to lead the orchestra in the entire Beethoven Symphony cycle, has designated his earlier dates for two replacements: Spanish conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos will lead the Beethoven Symphonies 1, 2 & 5 from October 22-24, while Canadian BSO Assistant Conductor Julian Kuerti will conduct Symphonies 4 & 5 from October 27-29.
Levine will be (gingerly) returning to the podium after withdrawing two weeks ago from handfuls of Fall performances to undergo unanticipated back surgery on a herniated disc. Our best recovery wishes to Maestro Levine.