Boston Symphony Orchestra Premiered Francisco Coll Concerto
Pianist Kirill Gerstein took the stage at Symphony Hall for the debut of the new twenty-minute work.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Classical
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The Boston Symphony Orchestra premiered the Piano Concerto by Francisco Coll at Symphony Hall. The performance featured pianist Kirill Gerstein, who requested the work.
Why it matters
The new concerto represents a major collaborative effort between international musical institutions to bring contemporary work to global audiences.
The new piano concerto spans 20 minutes and adheres to a traditional fast-slow-fast structural format. It was co-commissioned by multiple orchestras across Europe, Australia, and Brazil.
The players
Boston Symphony Orchestra
This prestigious American orchestra is based in Boston and performs regularly at Symphony Hall and Tanglewood.
Francisco Coll
He is a contemporary composer whose works are commissioned and performed by major musical institutions worldwide.
Kirill Gerstein
He is an internationally recognized concert pianist who has maintained a long-standing collaborative relationship with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The details
Composed at the request of Kirill Gerstein, the concerto utilizes an eclectic sonic palette to reinterpret the traditional classical concerto form. The program at Symphony Hall also included performances of Ludwig van Beethoven's Coriolan Overture and his Symphony No. 7.
Timeline
Kirill Gerstein debuted with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2010.
Thomas Adès's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra premiered in 2019.
The premiere of Francisco Coll's Piano Concerto occurred on October 9, 2026.
A repeat performance of the concert program took place on October 10, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The premiere follows the successful commissioning pattern established by the 2019 debut of Thomas Adès's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. This demonstrates a growing commitment by major orchestras to introduce new, structurally complex contemporary works to their global repertoire.
The premiere performance at Symphony Hall and its follow-up concert provide local audiences with immediate access to a new work before its international tour. Attendees can expect to hear the featured concerto alongside core classical repertoire by composers like Beethoven.
The takeaway
The concerto serves as a modern extension of the classical tradition, showcasing how collaborative commissions allow for the evolution of the genre. Audiences looking for new music should monitor international orchestral calendars for future performances of the piece.
Further reading
For more information on the current season, visit the Classical section.
More information
Find program details and upcoming performance schedules on the Boston Symphony Orchestra official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Boston Globe.
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