Berlin Philharmonic returns to Boston for last time under Rattle

One of the superstars of concert hall podiums around the world, Rattle is due to step down in 2018 from his post in Berlin after taking over as head of the philharmonic in 2002.
The Boston concert, which forms part of the orchestra's final North American tour under Rattle, will include French composer Pierre Boulez's Eclat and Gustav Mahler's 7th Symphony.
The daily Boston Globe said it was Rattle's performance of the two works with the philharmonic back in 1999 that helped him to secure the post as the orchestra's chief conductor.
In addition to Boston, the orchestra's tour will visit seven cities, including New York, Toronto and Los Angeles.
The Berliners' programme is strongly influenced by the orchestra's traditional German-speaking musical repertoire, which includes works by Johannes Brahms as well as Anton Webern, Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg.
The philharmonic's designated new chief conductor, Russian-born Kirill Petrenko, is not due to take up the post until 2019.
The 45-year-old Petrenko is at present general musical director at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.
British-born Rattle, made his North American debut in 1976 when he conducted the London Schools Symphony Orchestra in Los Angeles.
He is to lead the London Symphony Orchestra from September next year, while continuing to work in Berlin.