SSO 2024/2025 Season: Unique collaborations, daring premieres, and an Unfinished symphony

The 2024/2025 season of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra heralds an audacious new chapter in its storied history. Under the direction of the group’s music director, Hans Graf, the orchestra is poised to redefine the musical landscape with an exciting lineup that includes innovative collaborations and bold premieres, highlighted by a performance of Schubert’s iconic "Unfinished Symphony".

Music lovers can look forward to a season that not only challenges traditional boundaries but also promises to elevate the SSO to new heights, potentially sparking a musical awakening within Singapore’s vibrant cultural scene.

The Violin and the Erhu  

Dive into an enchanting evening where East meets West at the Victoria Concert Hall under the masterful leadership of Long Yu. The concert will feature Karen Gomyo, a violinist who is celebrated for her profound musical command, performing Samuel Barber's enthralling Violin Concerto. 

Complementing her will be Yiwen Lu, a virtuoso of the erhu, who will deliver the mesmerising compositions of Qigang Chen. This concert promises a beautiful synthesis of Western classical and traditional Chinese music, bringing together two cultures through the universal language of music.  

Friday & Saturday, August 16 & 17 2024, 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall  

SSO Gala: Carmina Burana  

Join us for a monumental evening at the Esplanade Concert Hall featuring Carl Orff's powerful oratorio, Carmina Burana. Conducted by Jaime Martín, this performance brings together the forces of the Singapore and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras and Choruses. 

The program not only highlights Orff's vibrant and rhythmic masterpiece but also includes other spectacular pieces, such as Maria Grenfell's Fanfare for a City, Manuel de Falla’s Three Dances, and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. This diverse and dynamic lineup will ensure a night filled with dramatic narratives and musical splendour.  

Thursday & Friday, August 22 & 23 2024, 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall  

Steven Isserlis and Mario Venzago — Kabalevsky and Schubert  

Revel in the depth and drama of classical music with British cellist Steven Isserlis and Swiss conductor Mario Venzago at Victoria Concert Hall. The program includes a compelling rendition of Kabalevsky's Cello Concerto No. 2, a piece full of dark energy and emotional depth. 

Following this, experience Schubert’s Eighth Symphony, famously known as the "Unfinished", which Venzago has brilliantly completed, providing a new perspective on this beloved work. This concert promises to be a profound exploration of passion and legacy, delivered by some of the most esteemed artists in the classical music world.  

Friday & Saturday, December 20 & 21 2024, 7.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall

Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony  

Witness the profound and transformative power of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, known as the "Resurrection Symphony", at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Under the baton of Hans Graf, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, Youth Choir, and the Symphonia Choralis, along with outstanding vocal soloists, will navigate through Mahler's exploration of life and the afterlife. 

This symphony is a journey from darkness to light, offering a poignant contemplation of human existence and its ultimate transcendence. The performance promises to be a spiritually uplifting experience, full of rich textures and dramatic resolution.  

Friday & Saturday, May 23 & 24 2025, 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall