Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2021: Rich And Diverse

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has unveiled its 2021 season with a rich mix of talent and a strong focus on Australian performers with national and international careers. A decidedly versatile programme, there is a great deal to look forward to in next year’s mix.

Some highlights:

-Chief Conductor Designate Simone Young opens the season with Australian violinist Ray Chen in a program featuring the first of the 50 Fanfares to be premiered, a work by 26-year-old Queensland composer Connor D’Netto. Young will conduct works by Beethoven (18-20 February), and Bach and Brahms (29-31 July). For Sacred Ground (4-7 August), Young will be joined by an all-Australian cast including Siobhan Stagg (soprano), Caitlin Hulcup (mezzo-soprano), Steve Davislim (tenor), James Clayton (baritone), and the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs for Mozart’s exquisite Requiem. The same program, will premiere Australian composer Mary Finsterer’s new work, as part of the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s 50 Fanfares project.

– Six artists make their debut with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2021 -American conductor Karina Canellakis (14-17 July), New-Zealand born Gemma New (25-28 August), Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska (10-13 November), and British-Australian conductor Finnegan Downie Dear. As well, Russian piasnist Konstantin Shamray, the 2008 winner of the Judges’ and People’s Choice prizes at the Sydney International Piano Competition, will make his debut with the orchestra, playing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.3 (13-16 October). Dutch-Australian conductor Benjamin Bayl will conduct Mendelssohn’s Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Mozart’s Symphony No.41 (Jupiter), and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3 with pianist Stephen Hough.

– Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles returns to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

– The Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s very own musicians take the spotlight as 35 of its members perform as soloists, chamber musicians, and guest conductors. At Easter, Concertmaster Andrew Haveron will lead and direct Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross. It will feature alongside Barber’s Mutations from Bach, Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium and Giovanni Gabrieli’s Canzon per Sonar Primi Toni No.1 and Canzon per Sonar in Echo Duodecimi Toni. Principal Cello Umberto Clerici will take up the baton in place of his cello in 2021, conducting a program inspired by Mozart. Featuring Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.17 with Australian pianist Daniel de Borah, the work will be performed alongside Ibert’s Hommage à Mozart and Schubert’s Fifth Symphony, a work inspired by Mozart. Principal Clarinet James Burke and Principal Flute  Joshua Batty will make their solo debuts with the orchestra.

– The Sydney Symphony Orchestra premieres 18 works in 2021, including the world premiere of 15 Australian works as part of its 50 Fanfares major commissioning project — a multi-season initiative which will see the Sydney Symphony commission and present the world premieres of new music by 50 Australian composers in 2021 and 2022

Other Australian artists who will join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 2021 include Nicholas Carter (conductor),  James Clayton (bass baritone), Steve Davislim (tenor), Daniel de Borah (pianist), Andrew Goodwin (tenor), Caitlin Hulcup (Mezzo soprano), Piers Lane (pianist), and Benjamin Northey (conductor).

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