Christoph Eschenbach, the National Symphony Orchestra music director, is leading the musicians and guest cellist Claudio Bohorquez on his first international tour with the ensemble. Following the first concert stop in Mexico City, they will head to Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Brazil. The NSO’s very first tour began in South America as part of President Eisenhower’s Program for Cultural Presentations. The most recent NSO tour was to China in 2009 under Leonard Slatkin to mark the 30th anniversary of Sino-U.S. relations. This time, in addition to performing eight concerts in major cities, the musicians will work with local students and musicians.

The program at each stop will be chosen from the six works performed at the two most recent NSO concerts at the Kennedy Center. The repertoire includes the “Roman Carnival Overture” by Berlioz, the Strauss Suite from “Der Rosenkavalier,” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, “Blue Blazes” by American composer Sean Shepherd and Lalo’s “Cello Concerto” performed by guest artist Claudio Bohorquez.