Lang Lang, Messiaen's FROM THE CANYONS TO THE STARS and More Set for Sydney Symphony Orchestra's 2016 Season

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson are today proud to announce the 2016 season, offering something for every concert-goer -- from the seasoned music-lover to those just beginning their orchestral journey.

In his third year at the helm of Australia's flagship orchestra, David Robertson has again invited some of the world's most exciting soloists and conductors to Sydney to perform with the SSO, including pianists Lang Lang and Nelson Freire, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, violinists Pinchas Zukerman, Leila Josefowicz and James Ehnes, and celebrated German conductor Christoph von Dohna?nyi.

Robertson will be in Sydney three times during 2016 -- conducting music ranging from Rimsky-Korsakov and Stravinsky to Bernstein and John Adams. Beginning with Swing Symphony in March, Robertson will conduct Wynton Marsalis and the New York-based Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on stage with the SSO.

In an international collaboration with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, St Louis Symphony and others, Robertson will also present Messiaen's From the Canyons to the Stars accompanied by stunning projections of the Utah Desert by award-winning photographer Deborah O'Grady.

The pinnacle of Robertson's season will be the fourth installment of his acclaimed Opera in the Concert Hall series: Gershwin's 1935 masterpiece Porgy and Bess. In this special event, bass-baritone Alfred Walker and soprano Nicole Cabell will sing the title roles in an all-star cast. Robertson's presentation of Stravinsky's three great scores for the Ballets Russes -- The Firebird, The Rite of Spring and Petrushka -- also promises to be a colourful highlight.

Chinese piano superstar Lang Lang will return to Sydney, performing a recital program of Bach, Chopin and Tchaikovsky, as well as three concerts featuring Grieg's Piano Concerto, conducted by Manuel Lo?pez-Go?mez. Also returning to Sydney after his performances with the SSO in 2013 is Israeli violinist Pinchas Zukerman with Tchaikovksy/Mozart and all-Mendelssohn programs.

Former SSO Principal Conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy will conduct a Beethoven festival encompassing all nine Beethoven symphonies across six concerts. Beethoven's violin concerto with violinist James Ehnes and his 'Emperor' piano concerto with pianist Garrick Ohlsson also feature in this festival.

World-renowned German conductor Christoph von Dohna?nyi will conduct the SSO in his Australian debut, with Bruckner's Fourth Symphony and Brahms's Second Symphony - two programs, and two not-to-be-missed events.

In 2016 the SSO is diversifying its offerings with four new concert series, designed to give everyone an exciting orchestral experience. The Orchestra announces the return of its Family concerts in the family series, with concerts such as The Composer is Dead and The Pied Piper of Hamelin providing an accessible and engaging way to introduce children 6-12 and their families to the joy of classical music.

Following the success of its film concerts in recent years, the SSO has formalised its offerings with the new series At the Movies, featuring cult classic Back to the Future with Silvestri's score, family (live orchestra idea) favourite Babe conducted by composer Nigel Westlake and Raiders of the Lost Ark with John Williams's soundtrack.

For Playlist, a new series at City Recital Hall Angel Place, three SSO musicians have chosen their favourite music in personally curated programs. In these intimate and informal concerts, especially for those new to classical music, they will share fascinating insights into their choices with the audience, who are invited to mingle with the musicians at the bar afterwards!

Also new in 2016 is SSO at Carriageworks -- two concerts conducted by David Robertson and Australian conductor-composer Brett Dean, the SSO's Artist in Residence. Together, Robertson and Dean have programmed some of the world's most intriguing and engaging contemporary music, including works by Dean himself and American composer Steve Reich. This series will also feature several new commissioned works by Australian composers. As the first Artist in Residence at the SSO, Dean will work closely with David Robertson and the SSO musicians in his capacity as a composer, conductor and instrumentalist.

With exciting new programs, world-class soloists and cherished favourites from the classical repertoire, the 2016 season is set to be a watershed year for the SSO under the baton of its inspiring Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson.

Visit www.sydneysymphony.com or call Box Office on 8215 4600 to subscribe to the SSO's 2016 Season.

Pictured: SSO Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson. Photo by Julian Kingma.

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