‘AN ALL JOHN WILLIAMS PROGRAM WITH EMANUEL AX AND GIL SHAHAM’
January 22 – 25, 2026, Boston Symphony Hall
Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andris Nelsons
Emanuel Ax, piano. Gil Shaham, violin
Listen to the concert at WCRB.org (January 24 performance)
CONCERT PROGRAM
- Joy Ride’ from Catch Me If You Can
- Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
- Theme from Sabrina
INTERMISSION - TreeSong, for violin and orchestra
- Theme from Schindler’s List
- Suite from Close Encounters of the Third Kind
ENCORE - The Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back
CONCERT REVIEWS
EXTERNAL REVIEWS & ARTICLES
- Boston Classical Review – On Thursday, the orchestra and music director Andris Nelsons celebrated their colleague as part of this month’s “E Pluribus Unum” festival. While the evening’s program offered its share of familiar hits from the composer’s film music catalogue, it also leaned into Williams’ considerable concert output. The results proved illuminating. – Full review
- The Boston Musical Intelligencer – When heard in Symphony Hall rather than in the Koussevitsky Shed at Tanglewood, without summer’s open expansiveness, the Concerto revealed its more taut and coherent inner structure. Many subtler nuances were more audible, and the driven power of the work made a more blunt but lasting impact. – Full review
- Interview with Emanuel Ax (January 21, 2026) – Like many of us Ax, 76, admires Williams’ stamina. “He keeps saying, ‘This is the last thing I’ll write,’ but then he does something else — and now he’s working on a movie score,” the pianist said. “Which is great for the world, and I think it’s great for him because he always has something to look forward to. That’s how it should be.” And he added, “The musicians that for me will last forever as American musicians are Bernstein, Copeland, and John Williams.” – Full article
JWFAN REVIEWS
Report by rpvee (original post):
I wasn’t sure I’d ever see the Maestro in person again after his last conducting concert at Carnegie Hall in early 2024, and after missing his surprise appearance at Tanglewood last year. Being able to see him, and post new photos of him, in 2026 is so special and surreal. Even a wave to the audience is precious these days! And the fact he made the cross-country trek in New England’s winter feels at least a bit promising.
After an Imperial March encore, Williams came out again at the very end! He seemed very lively, even mimicking some grand cello movements. Some fellow JWFan’ers and I were wondering if he’d be capable of at least conducting calmer pieces like Schindler’s List. Hopefully he holds a baton again one day.
Right before he exited, Williams did his good ol’ “sleepy hands” pose! Classic.
All in all, a beautiful evening of music, but the real treat was finally seeing the Maestro in person again.
Report by Homunkulus (original post):
Sabrina featured Emmanuel Ax on piano. Right after playing the concerto! He shook his hand once or twice like it was getting tired. But he played beautifully.
Also notable, Gil Shaham played Schindler’s List and it was an unexpected revelation; his lyrical fluidity distinguished the piece from the familiar stylings we associate with Perlman.
Let me add that Shahams’s performance of Treesong was the best I’ve heard. So detailed. I guess it helped that I was sitting in the center of the first balcony of symphony hall where the acoustics are pristine.
Report by MSM (original post):
It was wonderful to see the Maestro. Treesong after all those years was a treat. Great to see Gil Shaham shine again. The Piano Concerto sounded more brilliant than at Tanglewood. And JW looked sharp and in good shape!
@my fellow and ubiquitous JWFans thanks for catching up 🤗
VIDEO (Boston Symphony)
John Williams takes his bow with BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons, pianist Emanuel Ax, and violinist Gil Shaham
PHOTOS
OFFICIAL PHOTOS
