Willoughby Symphony Orchestra Reveals 2025 Season Featuring Nine Concerts

The season will feature film presentations, and more.

By: Chloe Rabinowitz Jul. 29, 2024

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra Reveals 2025 Season Featuring Nine Concerts Image

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Dr Nicholas Milton AM revealed nine exceptional concerts for 2025 encompassing classical masterpieces, heart-stopping film presentations and festive programs that will delight Sydney's most passionately engaged symphonic audience.

When announcing the 2025 season Dr Milton AM was delighted to share the news that 2024 subscription sales for WSO have experienced one of the biggest increases in sales of any Australian cultural institution up by a huge 212% from 2023!
The 2025 subscription series begins with one of Beethoven's most remarkable creations, his ‘Triple' Concerto, performed by the award winning Estivo Trio. The WSO will navigate exciting landscapes along the Moldau river, with legendary flautist Jane Rutter joining the orchestra for a stunning version of Vaughan Williams' Lark Ascending.

The recently appointed principal trombonist of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Australian Jonathon Ramsay, will perform a concerto by Nino Rota, best known as the composer of The Godfather, and star Australian cellist Julian Smiles will perform one of the most sublime cello concertos in the repertoire by Peteris Vasks. The subscription series also includes what will surely be a never-to-be-forgotten interpretation of Mahler's glorious First Symphony, amongst that composer's most thrilling symphonic masterpieces.

The magnificent Willoughby Symphony Choir joins WSO for several riveting collaborations, none more inspiring than Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

In line with the WSO's mission to make music accessible to all, this year's offerings extend beyond the classical canon and include a special gala performance: ‘A Night at the Oscars.” These concerts will feature the superb German violinist, Rosa Donata Milton, who stunned Sydney audiences last season with her glorious interpretation of Korngold's Violin Concerto. A Night at the Oscars will feature iconic film scores from Hollywood blockbusters including Schindler's List, Pirates of the Caribbean and Cinema Paradiso. And in December, a special Spirit of Christmas concert will present cherished carols and festive surprises in a blockbuster event for the whole family.

The 2025 program also features the world premiere of the 2025 Young Composer Award winner and a specially designed children's concert starring trombonist Jonathan Ramsey, which will no doubt spark a lifelong love of music in many young attendees.

Subscription Concerts
Willoughby Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven Triple Sat 22 & Sun 23 Feb
Conductor Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith
with Estivo Trio

Experience three times the exhilaration when the young stars of Sydney's Estivo Trio join the Orchestra for Beethoven's extraordinary ‘Triple' Concerto for violin, cello and piano.

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra: Lark Ascending

Sunday 4 May
Conductor Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith
Jane Rutter with Willoughby Symphony Choir

Internationally acclaimed flautist Jane Rutter will soar above the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in a gorgeous rendition of Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending in this stunning concert conducted by Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith.

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra: Odyssey

Sat 21 & Sun 22 June
Conductor Dr Nicholas Milton AM
Solo artists Ji Won Kim & Caleb Wright

Bedřich Smetana's The Moldau is one of the most spellbinding depictions of nature in classical music, capturing the magic of a gentle stream in the mountains that becomes a surging river, carrying the listener through the Czech countryside.

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra: Ode to Joy

Sat 2 & Sun 3 Aug
Conductor Dr Nicholas Milton AM
Solo artist Jonathon Ramsay

Experience Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, especially the triumphant Ode to Joy sung by the Willoughby Symphony Choir.

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra: Maestro

Sat 18 & Sun 19 Oct
Conductor Dr Nicholas Milton AM
Solo artist Julian Smiles

Experience Mahler's awe-inspiring First Symphony with Dr Nicholas Milton AM and the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra

Special Concerts

Disney's Lion King Live in Concert

Sat 5 & Sun 6 April
Conductor Jen Winley
Special Presentation Concert

Perfect for the entire family! Join Simba, Nala and friends on an epic adventure across the savanna. Disney's animated classic, The Lion King will be projected onto the big screen at The Concourse Concert Hall while the score is performed live by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra: A Night at the Oscars

Sat 16 & Sun 17 Aug
One of Germany's finest violinists, Rosa Donata Milton
Conductor by Dr Nicholas Milton AM
Special Presentation Concert

Walk the red carpet with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in this spectacular gala concert showcasing classics from the silver screen

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra: Spirit of Christmas

Sunday 14 December
Conductor Dr Nicholas Milton AM
Willoughby Symphony Choir
Special Presentation Concert

Don't miss out on what promises to be our most uplifting performance of the year – it's our special Christmas gift to our wonderful audience, who bring so much joy and energy to every concert.

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