It was clear that the crowd loved the concert presented this evening by the BSO, Nelsons, and Emanuel Ax. The BSO members wore red rose boutonnieres as a gesture of solidarity with Nelsons in the wake of his dismissal.

Andris Nelsons, undeterred by the noisy ambiance, performed the last measures with an almost frenetic energy

The riveting and tenacious first movement with the all-important four-note motto is followed by a gracious set of variations punctuated by a pompous march theme.