BLO brings free orchestral music to Boston Neighborhoods

Boston Landmarks Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director Christopher Wilkins, is gearing up to offer another season of enchanting musical experiences under the stars in Boston. From the iconic DCR Hatch Memorial Shell to Boston neighborhood venues, the ensemble brings the joy of live orchestral music to audiences of all ages. With a diverse lineup that highlights community, inclusivity, and accessibility, these free concerts promise to be a source of delight and inspiration for all who attend. Landmarks Orchestra invites everyone to join us for an unforgettable summer filled with beautiful music and shared moments of connection.

Music Director Christopher Wilkins says, “It’s always a happy occasion to have the orchestra back together again. There’s nothing like making music on a beautiful summer evening along the banks of the Charles. Our special aim is to connect with people of all backgrounds, Bostonians from a variety of cultural traditions.”

Board Chair Emmett G. Price III adds, “We are tremendously grateful and excited for this substantial commitment from our long-standing partner, Free For All Concert Fund, in bringing exceptional LIVE music to Boston’s historic Hatch Shell. Free for All has signaled our value and our importance to the arts and culture fabric of Greater Boston and we are hopeful that others will join the cause and aid us in accomplishing our courageous and timely mission.”

Regarding the Free for All Concert Fund’s major grant to Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond, Chair of the Free for All Concert Fund board, said “Free for All is proud to support the great work of Boston Landmarks Orchestra as it continues to advance the legacy of our mutual founder, the late Maestro Charles Ansbacher. This two-year grant of up to $1.275M allows Landmarks to pursue our shared mission of bringing great music to all the people of Boston for free. We look forward to another memorable summer of beautiful music on the Esplanade.”

For the full season of performances, program notes, and more, visit landmarksorchestra.org.

Community Block Party

Wednesday, July 17, 5:30pm ET | Hatch Shell

Join Landmarks Orchestra for a day of family fun! Free snacks will be provided; we hope to see you there!

Activities include:

String instrument try-out with Johnson Strings

Maestro Zone

Face painting

Knucklebones

Performances by:

Four Strings Academy

Honk!

Gershwin & Williams: 

American Icons

Wednesday, July 24, 7pm ET | Hatch Shell

Our 2024 Esplanade season begins with a spotlight on two of America’s most beloved composers: George Gershwin and John Williams. From the timely Olympic Fanfare to themes from Jaws, E.T.—and a little Star Wars as an encore—the program also includes Jessie Montgomery’s Freedom Songs, based on spirituals, and the vibrant Second Symphony by Boston composer Randall Thompson. Come at 6:30 for a special prelude concert by students of the Four Strings Academy.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Christopher Wilkins, conductor

Joelle Lamarre, soprano

George Gershwin Girl Crazy Overture

Jessie Montgomery Freedom Songs

Randall Thompson Symphony No. 2

John Williams

     Olympic Fanfare and Theme

     The Cowboys Overture

     Music from Jaws

     “Viktor’s Tale” from The Terminal, Rane Moore, clarinet

     “Flying Theme” from E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial        

*****

BRAHMS & DVOŘÁK: SONGS WITHOUT WORDS

Saturday, August 3, 7pm ET | Hatch Shell

The orchestra “sings” in two melodious staples of the symphonic repertoire: Brahms’s Academic Festival Overture and Dvořák’s popular Symphony No. 8. Julia Perry’s Three Spirituals receive their first public performance, while Joel Hoffman’s moving Self-Portrait with Gebirtig features our Principal Cellist, Aron Zelkowicz, as soloist. Alfvén’s bubbly Midsummer Vigil make this the perfect program for a midsummer Saturday evening. 

Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Christopher Wilkins, conductor

Aron Zelkowicz, cello

Johannes Brahms Academic Festival Overture

Hugo Alfvén Midsummer Vigil (Swedish Rhapsody No. 1)

Joel Hoffman Self-Portrait with Gebirtig, Aron Zelkowicz, cello

Julia Perry Three Spirituals (first public performance)

Antonín Dvořák Symphony No. 8

*****

Chamber Music: The Rivers School Conservatory 

Saturday, August 10, 7pm ET | Hatch Shell 

The Rivers School Conservatory performs an evening of chamber music at the Hatch Shell. 

*****

MOZART & MORE

Wednesday, August 14, 7pm ET | Hatch Shell

     with Boston String Academy Prelude Concert 6:30-6:50pm at the Hatch Shell

Thursday, August 15, 7:30pm | Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley Street, Boston

Friday, August 16, 7:30pm | Bethel AME Church, 38 Walk Hill St. Jamaica Plain

Saturday, August 17, 4:00pm | Peoples Baptist Church, 830 Tremont St, Boston

Mozart’s energetic Symphony 29 and Arturo Márquez’s energetic Danzón No. 2 set the upbeat tone for this year’s Mozart & More program. Violinist Adrian Anantawan will be featured in music by Florence Price and in Summer and Autumn from Astor Piazzolla’s engaging The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. 

Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Christopher Wilkins, conductor

Adrian Anantawan, violin

Wolfgang Amadè Mozart Lucio Silla Overture

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George The Anonymous Lover: Ballet Music

Wolfgang Amadè Mozart Symphony No. 29

Eubie Blake Shuffle Along Overture

William Grant Still Can’t You Line ‘Em

Florence Price Adoration 

Astor Piazzolla The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires  

     Primavera porteño (Spring)

     Otoño Porteño (Fall)

Arturo Márquez Danzón No. 2

*****

SHEHERAZADE & BORODIN: ARABIAN NIGHTS

Wednesday, August 21, 7pm ET | Hatch Shell

The familiar melodies of Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, famously heard in the musical Kismet, open this program of evocative music. Boston-based composer Akram Haddad brings the music of his Arabic heritage, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s lush Sheherazade, a showpiece for orchestra based on the tale of the Arabian Nights, concludes our 2024 Hatch Shell season.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Christopher Wilkins, conductor

Alexander Borodin Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor

Gity Razaz Mother

Akram Haddad Arabic Singers Medley

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Sheherazade

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