For its second concert, the Boston Symphony Orchestra with Music Director Andris Nelsons performs music from its native country. The momentum of American orchestral repertoire is placed in a classical framework formed of works by Richard Strauss and Joseph Haydn.

Even today, the Viennese classicist Haydn can still fool his listeners; the long pause in the final movement occasionally tempts premature applause. Temptations of a different kind number among the hurdles that the hero in Richard Strauss’ tone poem must overcome on his path to fulfilment.