Perhaps composers are superstitious people, and after Beethoven, few dared to write more than nine symphonies. Mahler proved the point – he died while writing his Tenth! Many scholars have tried to finish Mahler’s incomplete Tenth Symphony and today we hear the first performance in 95 years of two of the Symphony’s movements prepared by the legendary conductor Willem Mengelberg, who was a close friend of the composer. But to prove that it is possible to survive beyond a ninth symphony, this concert also presents the Tenth of Shostakovich’s 15 fully completed symphonies.

[1]. SIBELIUS: “Finlandia”
[2]. Magnus LINDBERG: “Clarinet Concerto” (China premiere)
[3]. SIBELIUS: “Symphony no. 2”
The series will conclude in style under Finnish conductor Osmo Vanska with his “Finnish Adventure”, an evening of music by two eminent Finnish composers – Magnus Lindberg and Jean Sibelius.

Superstar of the violin Maxim Vengerov joins us for performances of a Chinese classic – the Butterfly Lovers concerto. Yu Long’s first concerts as Principal Guest Conductor of the HK Phil will culminate in Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique symphony – and begin, fittingly, with a great Chinese work – Chen Qigang’s evocation for orchestra of Peking Opera. 

French composers have always had an eye to the exotic, and have written music to portray adventures in distant lands. For Berlioz, it was the mountains of Italy as described by the poet Byron. Ravel was captivated by the colours and vibrancy of Spain. Join us for a night of exotic landscapes, described with quintessential French style.

Mahler put everything into his fifth symphony – not only a huge orchestra, but also his most profound questions, his greatest inspirations, and his convictions. In its sublime final movement, its dark opening is overturned by triumph. The programme will begin with Tchaikovsky’s Mozartiana, a personal tribute to Mozart from one of the greatest Russian composers.
We are delighted that Vassily Sinaisky will conduct these performances, stepping in at late notice for Jaap van Zweden, who has withdrawn on doctor’s advice. 

Four diverse American voices make up tonight’s programme-the lush ‘Hollywood’ sound of Erich Korngold is paired with Adams’ brash and energetic Chairman Dances. Charles Ives, an American trailblazer, depicts three places in New England, but also a spiritual vision of his homeland. And finally, Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story- a symphonic blaze of dance and Broadway energy.

Garrick Ohlsson’s 2012 performances of Brahms’ first concerto were a magisterial highlight of our season two years ago. Now he returns to complete the Brahms ‘cycle’ with the colossal second concerto – a symphony in all but name, with a titanic role for the soloist. In the first half Beethoven’s fourth symphony, which Berlioz said had ‘celestial sweetness’. Mozart’s Magic Flute overture, a perfect temple to the delights of music, opens these début concerts conducted by young star Andrew Grams. 

Mussorgsky’s beloved Pictures at an Exhibition,originally written for piano and orchestrated by Ravel, crowns this programme of Russian fairy tales and folk flavours. We welcome back Hans Graf to conduct, and Russian star violinist Dmitri Makhtin.

MOZARTPiano Concerto no. 22
BRUCKNERSymphony no. 4, Romantic

Jaap van Zweden is world-famous for his conducting of Bruckner, yet until now, Hong Kong has not experienced this important part of his musical life. In these concerts Jaap performs Bruckner’s titanic fourth symphony. We welcome Louis Lortie, a sublime interpreter of Mozart, to perform the heavenly twenty-second piano concerto.