On December 2, the BSO gives the world premiere of Kurt Rohde's oratorio Bitter Harvest, which "explores the economic, social, spiritual, and psychological effects of corporate agribusiness on the small family farmer." Schumann's Symphony No. 1 is also on the program.
Pianist Garrick Ohlsson joins the BSO on March 29, 2006, for a performance of Schumann's Piano Concerto, Fantasia for Violin and Orchestra, and Symphony No. 4; Chowning, the BSO's composer in residence, again provides the contemporary entry: the U.S. premiere of Voices.
On June 21, Jane Eaglen performs Berg's Seven Early Songs and arias from Mozart's Don Giovanni, in a program that also includes Schumann's Symphony No. 2 and Edmund Campion's Practice.
BSO associate conductor George Thomson leads the orchestra on January 28 in a program of music by Bach, Elliott Carter, Varse, and Stravinsky. Thomson also conducts a free concert on April 6 at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Berkeley featuring works in progress by local composers. Nagano acts as host.