WELCOME TO THE PERTH CONCERT SERIES 2025/26
From the drama of Beethoven to the emotion of Mozart, the tenderness of Brahms, the passion of Tchaikovsky, the poetry of Dvořák and the excitement of Shostakovich, there’s a world of emotions to discover in this year’s Perth Concert Series.
Book all six of the Resident Orchestra concerts (p4-9) and receive a 25% discount on the cost of your tickets!
Further highlights of the season include the Philharmonia Orchestra, John Wilson conducting the Sinfonia of London and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. We also look forward to the SCO's concert performance of Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker, and the popular Viennese New Year concert over the festive period.
We are very grateful for the continuing support of The Gannochy Trust in making the Perth Concert Series possible and we look forward, once again to welcoming Scotland’s world-class orchestras to perform in the sparkling acoustic of Perth Concert Hall.
The Gannochy Trust has supported the Perth Concert Series annually since 1995. In recent years the Trust’s major grant has enabled the four partners to develop opportunities for young people to engage with live orchestral music, encouraging a lifetime connection while at the same time developing a range of important transferable skills.
Further information about the Trust is available at: gannochytrust.org.uk
TICKET PRICES*
Single concert tickets:
A – £35
B – £30
C – £26
D – £21
E – £15
All 6 concert tickets:
A – £157.50 (saving £52.50)
B – £135 (saving £45)
C – £117 (saving £39)
D – £94.50 (saving £31.50)
E – £67.50 (saving £22.50)
Save when booking for the other orchestral concerts in the season!**
When booking for John Wilson conducts the Tallis Fantasia, Beethoven Night with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, SCO The Nutcracker or SCO Viennese New Year, save:
• 10% when booking for one or two
• 15% when booking for three to four
*Prices exclude booking fees
**Excludes the Philharmonia Orchestra
Priority subscription booking opens Thursday 17 April and runs until Wednesday 7 May. General booking available from Thursday 8 May.
Please note:
• The six Resident Orchestra subscription concert dates are Sat 4 Oct 2025, Fri 24 Oct 2025, Thu 13 Nov 2025, Thu 5 Feb 2026, Fri 20 Feb 2026, Wed 13 May 2026.
• For concerts by the BBC SSO and RSNO, as well as all concerts by the SCO excluding Viennese New Year, rows A-D in the stalls are not available because of a stage extension.
CONCESSIONS
Young People Aged 18 and Under
Young people aged 18 and under go free to all six subscription concerts as well as other selected concerts. Subject to availability. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Under 26s and Students
£6 tickets are available for people aged 26 and under or who are in full-time education. Appropriate identification may be required.
School Parties
One free adult ticket with every 10 school pupils (advance bookings only). Subject to availability.
Registered Disabled
Anyone who is registered disabled is entitled to 50% off ticket prices to all six subscription concerts. Free tickets are available to fulltime carers. Please ask at the box office.
Booking Fees
£3 when booking a season subscription (per subscription). £2.50 per ticket when booking individual concerts. Fees are waived for tickets priced under £8.50. Ticket postage is £1.50.
Perth Theatre Box Office Opening Times Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 – 18:00. Call 01738 621031 or visit in person.
Saturday 4 October 2025, 19:30
Strauss Metamorphosen
MacMillan Veni, Veni Emmanuel Beethoven Symphony No.5
Maxim Emelyanychev Conductor Colin Currie Percussion
To launch the Resident Orchestras' vibrant new Season, why not embark on an unforgettable journey from darkness to light with the SCO and their electrifying Principal Conductor Maxim Emelyanychev.
Few can be left unmoved by the pity of Richard Strauss's deeply cathartic Metamorphosen, a profoundly poignant reflection on the destruction of World War Two. From its famously gripping opening, however, Beethoven’s bestloved Symphony – the Fifth – forges a path from compelling conflict to the blazing radiance of triumph.
In between, superstar Scottish percussionist Colin Currie is the central protagonist in Sir James MacMillan’s joyful, theatrical, visionary percussion concerto Veni, Veni Emmanuel –a dazzling celebration of new life and new hope.
FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
SIBELIUS'S SECOND SYMPHONY
Friday 24 October 2025, 19:30
Mozart Incidental music for Thamos, King of Egypt K345 Mozart Piano Concerto No.24 K491
Sibelius Symphony No.2
Ludovic Morlot Conductor Elisabeth Leonskaja Piano
Mozart sets the stage with energy, elegance, and drama – an ideal prelude to an evening of compelling musical storytelling. Guest conductor Ludovic Morlot – who captivated audiences when he stepped in at short notice with the BBC SSO in 2024 – leads a journey that culminates in the soaring melodies of Sibelius’s epic Second Symphony.
At its heart, Elisabeth Leonskaja brings profound artistry to Mozart’s darkly expressive 24th Piano Concerto – one of his most personal works, rich in light and shade. If anyone can uncover its secrets, it’s the legendary Leonskaja.
Maxim Emelyanychev © Andrej Grilc Elisabeth Leonskaja © Marco Borggreve
ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA
Thursday 13 November 2025, 19:30
Mahler Adagietto from Symphony No.5
James Newton Howard Violin Concerto No.2*
Barber Adagio for Strings
R Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra
Alexander Shelley Conductor
James Ehnes Violin
Big Noise Raploch
Platoon, Death in Venice, 2001: A Space
Odyssey… picture those classic movies and you can already hear the music of Samuel Barber, Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss. But there’s no cinema on earth that can beat the sound of a full symphony orchestra playing these masterpieces live. That’s what we’re doing tonight, and there’s a bonus feature too as violinist James Ehnes premieres a brand-new showpiece by Hollywood legend James Newton Howard (The Sixth Sense, The Hunger Games). The young musicians of Big Noise Raploch get the evening off to a rousing start with a special side-by-side performance with the musicians of the RSNO.
TCHAIKOVSKY’S FIFTH SYMPHONY
Thursday 5 February 2026, 19:30
Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5
Thomas Søndergård Conductor
Noah Bendix-Balgley Violin
Bruno Delepelaire Cello
‘With desire and passion’ wrote Tchaikovsky on the score of his Fifth Symphony. From its stirring opening to its triumphant finale, this is music that comes straight from the heart and speaks straight to the heart.
Thomas Søndergård won’t hold back today, and he welcomes not one but two charismatic soloists – cellist Bruno Delepelaire and violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley – to play a masterpiece inspired by friendship: Brahms's nostalgic, intensely emotional Double Concerto.
Alexander Shelley © Artis Naples
Bruno Delepelaire © Peter Adamik
DVOŘÁK 'NEW WORLD' SYMPHONY MOZART’S PIANO CONCERTO NO.27
Friday 20 February 2026, 19:30
Phil Dutton New Work (BBC commission)
Mozart Piano Concerto No.27 K595
Dvořák Symphony No.8
Ryan Wigglesworth Conductor
Imogen Cooper Piano
Out of silence comes a quiet hymn. Suddenly the sun breaks through, the birds sing – and to a dancing rhythm and a flurry of drums, Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony is on its way. Sounds fun?
This is music with a huge heart and a limitless supply of melodies, but it’s brimming over with poetry too. The BBC SSO’s Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth will savour every moment of this most life-affirming of Romantic symphonies. The evening opens with an exciting new commission from a young British composer of Czech heritage, and Mozart’s poetic final Piano Concerto, played by Imogen Cooper – a pianist for whom Mozart’s music has been a lifelong love story. “He has a special place in my heart”, she says, and when she plays, you can tell.
Wednesday 13 May 2026, 19:30
Shostakovich Symphony No.9
Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1
Dvořák Symphony No.9 'From the New World'
Maxim Emelyanychev Conductor
Steven Osborne Piano
Aaron Azunda Akugbo Trumpet
Join Maxim and the SCO musicians for an electrifying and emotional concert featuring one of the most cherished symphonies of them all.
While teaching in New York, Antonín Dvořák was inspired by traditional American tunes to conjure the grandeur and epic vision of his ‘New World’ Symphony, an inspiring celebration of new discoveries and new possibilities.
Just as joyfully, Maxim is joined by exceptional Scottish musicians Steven Osborne and Aaron Akugbo for the wild switchback ride of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.1, a dazzling mix of virtuoso keyboard fireworks and boisterous trumpet tunes blending razorsharp humour and moving pathos. We start, though, with Shostakovich’s brightest, happiest, and most optimistic Symphony.
PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA
Thursday 11 September 2025, 15:30
Mendelssohn Overture ‘The Hebrides’ Mozart Piano Concerto No.27 in B flat major K595 Beethoven Symphony No.3 in E flat major ‘Eroica’
Rory Macdonald Conductor Steven Osborne Piano
Tickets: £19.50 – £41.50. Concessions available.
The Philharmonia Orchestra, one of the world’s greatest orchestras visits Perth for the first time since 2012. The afternoon concert opens with Mendelssohn’s wonderful evocation of Fingal’s Cave on Staffa. The music almost smells of the sea with its waves and storms. Scotland’s world leading pianist Steven Osborne performs Mozart’s very last piano concerto. On the surface K595 is sunny, but under the surface there is emotional turbulence which makes this one of the composer’s most intimate and moving works. Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ symphony broke the mould of all symphonies before it. Originally to be dedicated to Napoleon, Beethoven removed the dedication when Napoleon declared himself Emperor of the French. The ‘Eroica’ is on a huge scale and features a haunting and unforgettable funeral march. It is quite simply one of the most exciting symphonies ever composed.
JOHN WILSON CONDUCTS THE TALLIS FANTASIA
Saturday 18 October 2025, 19:30
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Britten Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings
Howells Concerto for String Orchestra
Delius Late Swallows
Elgar Introduction and Allegro
Sinfonia of London
John Wilson
Laurence Kilsby
Chris Parkes
Conductor
Tenor
Horn
Tickets: £6 – £37.50. Concessions available. U18s go free.
Regularly voted one of Britain’s favourite pieces of classical music, Vaughan Williams’s Tallis Fantasia is at the heart of this fabulous programme of English music. John Wilson is in demand at the highest level across the globe, having conducted many of the world's finest orchestras over the past 30 years. Britten’s Serenade is one of his best loved works and the programme ends with the musical fireworks of Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for string quartet and string orchestra. Add in lush music from two other fine English composers in Howells and Delius and we have a wonderful programme of truly gorgeous music.
John Wilson © Astrid Ackermann
Philharmonia First Violins © Marc Gascoigne
BEETHOVEN NIGHT WITH THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF UKRAINE
Saturday 21 March 2026, 19:30
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major ‘Emperor’
Beethoven Symphony No.7 in A major
Volodymyr Sirenko Conductor
Maria Pukhlianko Piano
Tickets: £6 – £37.50. Concessions available. U18s go free.
We welcome back the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine for an evening of fabulous music. No-one knows how the 'Emperor' came by its name, but it is entirely apposite for the prince among concertos. It is on a massive scale and provides some of the most exhilarating writing for solo piano in the repertory. It also includes a beautiful slow movement which was featured in the score of The King’s Speech. Beethoven’s 7th Symphony is one of the best loved of all. With its haunting slow movement, sparkling scherzo and electric finale it opens with a movement described by Wagner as 'the apotheosis of dance'.
THE NUTCRACKER
Wednesday 3 December 2025, 19:30
Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker
Maxim Emelyanychev Conductor Jay Capperauld Presenter
Tickets: £6 – £39. Concessions available. U18s go free.
From the delicate ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ to the elegant ‘Waltz of the Flowers’, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker conjures all the magic and wonder of Christmas – and it’s as much of a seasonal treat for classical newcomers as it is for aficionados.
Tchaikovsky’s compatriot Maxim Emelyanychev invites you to immerse yourself in all the sugar, snow and sparkle of the composer’s full ballet score, as young Clara sees her beloved Nutcracker transformed into a handsome Prince, who whisks her away to the Land of Sweets.
With its heart-melting melodies and foot-tapping dances – and with singers joining the Orchestra to bring the timeless classic to colourful life –this is a Christmas feast for the senses.
VIENNESE NEW YEAR
Sunday 4 January 2026, 15:00
Programme to include:
J Strauss II Tales from the Vienna Woods
J Strauss II Die Fledermaus Overture and Arias Lehár Gold and Silver Waltz
J Strauss II Blue Danube Waltz
J Strauss I Radetsky March
Andrew Manze Conductor Rachel Redmond Soprano
Tickets: £6 – £39. Concessions available. U18s go free.
Experience the magic of a traditional Viennese New Year celebration – and welcome 2026 in lavish style.
Indulge your senses with a tempting selection of timeless Viennese waltzes, polkas and more by the iconic Strauss family – from the sparkling Die Fledermaus Overture to the rapturous beauty of The Blue Danube
SCO Principal Guest Conductor Andrew Manze is your guide to this captivating world of musical wonders, and he’s joined by internationally celebrated, Glasgow-born soprano Rachel Redmond.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Come along to the concerts, thanks to the support of The Gannochy Trust…
Perth Concert Series has been generously supported by The Gannochy Trust annually since 1995. In recent years the Trust’s major grant has enabled the four partners to develop opportunities for young people to engage with live orchestral music. Thanks to the Trust’s support, young people under the age of 18 go free to all six subscription concerts as well as other selected concerts. Students can also attend for just £6.
So next time you book, why not bring along a young person you know and introduce them to the wonder of classical music – we’d love to see them!
Further information about the Trust is available at gannochytrust.org.uk
SCO’s The Great Grumpy Gaboon
Friday 6 February 2026, 13:15
The Great Grumpy Gaboon returns to Perth for a fun-packed schools’ performance.
Join the Gaboon and friends as together they discover the importance of friendship and forgiveness. Music by Jay Capperauld and story and illustrations by Corrina Campbell.
Email: engagement@perththeatreand concerthall.com for more information.
Follow the Band
Are you in Primary 5 to 7 and want to learn more about the instruments of the orchestra? Perth and Kinross Instrumental Music Service tutors are teaming up with instrumentalists from the Scottish Chamber
Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to bring you a concert like no other! We’ll be giving you a taste of what our instruments can do through this fun, interactive concert. Email engagement@ perththeatreandconcerthall.com for more information.
RSNO’s Noisy Library
Introduce your children to the wonders of classical music through storytelling. From our app Astar for your wee ones to our Scottish animation, Yoyo & The Little Auk for nursery to Primary 2 children, there is a musical adventure for everyone! You can find all this and even more educational digital content including our Sounds of the Deep 2024:25 Schools Tour resources at rsno.org.uk/join-in/
Thursday 11 September 2025, 15:30
Philharmonia Orchestra
Saturday 4 October 2025, 19:30
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
From Darkness to Light
Saturday 18 October 2025, 19:30
John Wilson conducts the Tallis Fantasia
Friday 24 October 2025, 19:30
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Sibelius’s Second Symphony
Thursday 13 November 2025, 19:30
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Also sprach Zarathustra
Wednesday 3 December 2025, 19:30
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
The Nutcracker
Sunday 4 January 2026, 15:00
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Viennese New Year
Thursday 5 February 2026, 19:30
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony
Friday 20 February 2026, 19:30
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.27
Saturday 21 March 2026, 19:30
Beethoven Night with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Wednesday 13 May 2026, 19:30
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Dvořák 'New World' Symphony
The information carried in this brochure was correct at the time of publishing. The Scottish Orchestras and Perth Theatre and Concert Hall reserve the right to amend artists and programmes for any of the listed concerts if necessary.
RSNO Scottish Charity No SC010702. SCO Scottish Charity No SC015039. Horsecross Arts Ltd is the charitable organisation that runs Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, Scottish Charity No SC022400.
The Perth Concert Series has been made possible with generous financial support from The Gannochy Trust.
The SCO and RSNO receive funding from the Scottish Government.
Concerts by the BBC SSO are scheduled to be recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3.