Sydney Symphony Orchestra Announces Yuja Wang to Replace Pianist Martha Argerich

Famed Chinese pianist Yuja Wang is set to return to Sydney next week to perform with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra due to the late withdrawal of pianist Martha Argerich.

Argerich has cancelled her appearances in Sydney scheduled for Thursday 29 and Friday 30 June, and Saturday 1 July 2017.

In a statement to Sydney audiences, Argerich said:

"Dear Sydney public, I am terribly sorry to disappoint you and my dearest friend and lifetime musical partner Charles Dutoit who is the father of our daughter Annie. This is a very important event, his anniversary, 40 years after his first visit to your beautiful country. I am unable to travel and play in this moment, feel very weak, exhausted and having physical pains that worry me, please excuse me! In this condition I am afraid to travel such a long way, I ask your forgiveness, to Charles Dutoit, to the orchestra and to you."

SSO Managing Director Rory Jeffes says the SSO is naturally disappointed that Argerich will not be able to make it to Sydney next week, whilst wishing her a speedy recovery on behalf of the orchestra and audiences.

"We are so sorry our audience members won't have the chance to see Martha Argerich in Sydney in what would have been her Australian debut alongside celebrated conductor Charles Dutoit who is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his first visit to Sydney to conduct the SSO.

"However, I could not think of a more thrilling replacement than that of 30-year old Yuja Wang and I extend my deepest thanks and the thanks and appreciation of our audiences to Yuja for stepping in at such short notice, performing the same work that audiences would have heard with Martha - Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.1."

Following her 2015 Sydney performances, Wang was described by The Australian classical music reviewer Murray Black as a "top-class virtuoso ... With her glamorous stage attire, popular YouTube videos and dedicated social media following, Chinese pianist Yuja Wang is the model of a modern classical pianist."

All concert dates, times and program remain unchanged.

All previously issued tickets for Martha Argerich's Sydney concerts will now be valid on the same date/s for the Yuja Wang performances.

For further information, ticket-holders should contact the SSO box office on 02 8215 4600.