The Boston Symphony, founded in 1881, embodies one of the mostly deeply rooted traditions among U.S. ensembles. Conductors such as Serge Koussevitzky and current music director Seiji Ozawa have left their imprints on the orchestra, which also sponsors the Tanglewood Music Center, an important training ground for young musicians. New commissions from leading composers are key to the Boston Symphony's mandate. Here's a selected list of concerts from the first half of the season. Check out our recommended recordings of works being played. For more information on the Boston Symphony season and how to order tickets, call 1-800-333-2762 or visit their Web site at www.bso.org.

November 26, 27, 30, 1999

Sir Andrew Davis, conductor;
Ida Haendel, violin
Musgrave, Phoenix Rising (American premiere); Dvorak, Violin Concerto; Elgar, Enigma Variations

December 2-4, 1999

Seiji Ozawa, conductor
Debussy, “Nuages” and “Fêtes” from Nocturnes; Lutoslawski, Concerto for Orchestra; Brahms, Symphony No. 3

December 7, 1999

Seiji Ozawa, conductor;
Itzhak Perlman, violin
Debussy, “Nuages” and “Fêtes” from Nocturnes; Lutoslawski, Concerto for Orchestra; Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto

January 6-8, 2000

Robert Spano, conductor;
Emanuel Ax, piano
Sheng, New work for piano and orchestra (world premiere); Liszt, Piano Concerto No. 2; Ravel, Mother Goose (complete); Debussy, La Mer

January 14, 15, 18, 2000

James DePriest, conductor;
Kyung-Wha Chung, violin
Rochberg, Transcendental Variations; Prokofiev, Violin Concerto No. 2; Mozart, Symphony No. 41 ("Jupiter")

January 27-29, 2000