Join Echo the Gecko and his merry band of musicians, WASO’s Education Chamber Orchestra (EChO), as they discover new adventures in classical music. This energetic 15-piece ensemble, featuring one of each instrument of the Orchestra, is joined by an enthusiastic presenter who leads the audience in sing-alongs, dancing and musicmaking. At the end of the show our young friends are invited to have a go playing the instruments.

Internationally renowned French conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier returns to WASO in this delightful and varied program. Poulenc’s joyous choral masterwork, Gloria, combines sensual playfulness with profound spirituality, while Debussy’s famous Prélude delights in languid beauty. Haydn’s Cello Concerto is music of great poise and elegance – a perfect showcase for the subtle mastery of acclaimed Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey.

Young Russian pianist Denis Kozhukhin has taken the concert world by storm with his stunning technical prowess and radiant musicality. He makes his WASO debut in Prokofiev’s dazzling and virtuosic concerto. Arvo Volmer is acclaimed for his special affinity with the music of Sibelius and he returns to Perth to thrill audiences with the Finnish master’s magnificent First Symphony.

Denis Kozhukhin was launched onto the international scene after winning first prize in the 2010 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Since then his career trajectory has been astonishing, with prestigious engagements across Europe, the US and Asia.

Peter Jackson’s epic vision of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is supported by some of the greatest film music of all time. Howard Shore’s Academy Award®-winning score captures the film’s sweeping emotion, thrilling vistas and grand journeys through the power of a full symphony orchestra and massed voices. This epic event features the entire film on screen accompanied live by WASO, the WASO Chorus and St George’s Cathedral Choristers.

WASO Principal Clarinet Allan Meyer takes the stand in Copland’s jazz inspired concerto written for the composer’s fellow New Yorker, the ‘King of Swing’, Benny Goodman. Scottish conductor Rory MacDonald makes his WASO debut in this concert featuring one of Sibelius’ most colourful symphonic poems and concluding with Beethoven’s lyrical Fourth Symphony.

Two stars of the West End join WASO for a celebration of the greatest hits of London’s musical theatre mecca. This exciting concert features popular hits from the greatest musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Cats, Wicked, Guys & Dolls, Jersey Boys, Anything Goes, A Chorus Line, Annie Get Your Gun and West Side Story!

Based on Prokofiev’s much-loved work for children, Peter & the Wolf Live is a magical musical and cinematic experience for the whole family. Adapted and directed by Suzie Templeton, BreakThru Films’ Oscar®-winning stop-motion animation brings Prokofiev’s classic story to life as your Orchestra performs the timeless score live on stage. Also featuring Britten’s masterpiece, Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, this is a wondrous introduction to WASO.

Shostakovich’s dramatic Tenth Symphony is one of his greatest works. From a sinister, brooding opening and searing depiction of Stalin, to a finale of exultant rejoicing, Shostakovich’s music takes you on a journey of emotional extremes. Britten’s captivating Violin Concerto receives its WASO premiere by Concertmaster Giulio Plotino.

Mendelssohn’s visit to the ruins of Holyrood Chapel in Edinburgh provided the inspiration for the Scottish Symphony, one of his finest orchestral works. Join Paul Daniel in his last Morning Symphony as Principal Conductor.

Passionate, virtuosic, full of heart-rending melodies and lush orchestral textures, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto is an audience favourite. Making her WASO debut, Latvian violinist Baiba Skride has been hailed by BBC Music Magazine as “a throwback to the golden age of Heifetz, Kreisler and Milstein”. Two very different views of Scotland form the framework for this multicoloured program.

In August 2012 WASO blew audiences away with exhilarating music that crossed boundaries and explored new horizons. In 2013 WASO returns to the Astor Theatre for two more concerts jammed with exciting, innovative and dynamic new orchestral music - Perspectives and Frontiers.

In August 2012 WASO blew audiences away with exhilarating music that crossed boundaries and explored new horizons. In 2013 WASO returns to the Astor Theatre for two more concerts jammed with exciting, innovative and dynamic new orchestral music - Perspectives and Frontiers.

Mahler’s Seventh Symphony is one of his most inspirational works. With two ‘Night Music’ movements, revealing imagined worlds of haunting fantasy, it journeys from sombre opening sonorities to a ‘Daylight’ finale of blazing brilliance. To open this concert, Mozart’s graceful Night Serenade is framed by short works of ethereal beauty from a master of orchestral colour, Toru Takemitsu.

Schubert’s Octet is a masterpiece of mood, colour and balance. Modelled on Beethoven’s immensely popular Septet, it surpasses even the great master’s work for sheer inventiveness. While the Octet is charming, amiable, elegant and buoyant, moments of sublime melancholy peer through the music’s joyousness.

Tim and the boys are back! Following outstanding collaborative performances in 2004 and 2007, The Whitlams and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra join forces once again. Expect to hear the all the classics plus a few surprises along the way!

Schubert’s Octet is a masterpiece of mood, colour and balance. Modelled on Beethoven’s immensely popular Septet, it surpasses even the great master’s work for sheer inventiveness. While the Octet is charming, amiable, elegant and buoyant, moments of sublime melancholy peer through the music’s joyousness.

Principal Conductor Designate Asher Fisch leads the Orchestra in this powerful program, beginning with music from Wagner’s great opera, Tristan und Isolde. Brahms’ poetic Third Symphony will provide a stunning finale to the concert.

Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde explores the agonies and ecstasies of love and loss through music of yearning and supreme bliss. Following his sensational debut in 2011, Alban Gerhardt returns to Perth to perform Schumann’s lyrical concerto, described by legendary cellist Pablo Casals as “sublime music from beginning to end”. Brahms’ poetic Third Symphony concludes this magnificent concert led by Principal Conductor Designate Asher Fisch.

In the last decade Alban Gerhardt has established himself among the great cellists of our time. His breathtaking technique, distinctive sound and powerful, original interpretations have won him worldwide acclaim. In this recital he is joined by WASO Principal Conductor Designate, Asher Fisch.

Ingrid Fliter’s performances of Chopin’s piano concertos have been described by The Scotsman as a “miraculous blend of spontaneity, poetry and sincerity”. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience her exquisite musicianship in Chopin’s sublime Second Piano Concerto. Schumann’s Spring Symphony is one of his most joyful creations, brimming with enchanting melodies and exuberant energy.

Paul McCreesh makes his WASO debut conducting one of Beethoven’s greatest symphonies, a captivating portrayal of nature’s splendour. Paired with Mendelssohn’s Shakespeare-inspired overture, this is a concert of sumptuous beauty.

Beethoven’s Pastoral is one of the most beloved of all symphonies, a captivating portrayal of nature’s splendour and power. Fiona Campbell sings poems of love and loss set to music of seductive intimacy in Berlioz’s ‘Summer Nights’. To lead this sumptuous concert we welcome outstanding English conductor Paul McCreesh in his WASO debut.

Strauss’ extravagant tone poem, Don Juan, launches this exhilarating concert of orchestral showpieces. Experience the fabulous new Violin Concerto by award-winning WA composer James Ledger performed by WASO Associate Concertmaster Margaret Blades, before savouring Stravinsky’s neo-classic masterpiece and Ravel’s exotically coloured orchestral rhapsody.

The Big Sing is a fun way to spend an afternoon singing with the WASO Chorus. Come and raise the roof as part of one of the largest choruses WA has ever heard! Whether you’re 18 or 80, a trained singer or just someone keen to sing, come along and experience the joy of singing some popular choral works.

WASO brings Roald Dahl’s unique version of Little Red Riding Hood to life in a sparkling concert featuring three talented actors and a collection of puppets. The music entertains with colourful melodies and dazzling dramatic flourishes. Don’t miss the chance to see this hilarious adaptation of the classic children’s story on stage with a full symphony orchestra!

Pinchas Zukerman is hailed as one of the greatest violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries. In this rare Perth appearance, he is both soloist and conductor in two pinnacles of the repertoire: Mozart’s sublime Violin Concerto No.5 and Beethoven’s mighty Violin Concerto. Zukerman is also joined by his wife, award-winning cellist Amanda Forsyth, in works by Bruch and Vivaldi.

Following breathtaking performances in 2011, Sol Gabetta returns to perform one of the most popular cello concertos of all time. Dvorák’s stunning work is preceded by the evocative symphonic poem of his Bohemian contemporary, Smetana.

Sol Gabetta’s breathtaking performances thrilled Perth audiences in 2011 and she returns with one of the most popular of all cello concertos. Smetana’s much-loved symphonic poem evokes the sounds of one of Bohemia’s great rivers, from burbling tributaries to sweeping rapids. Brahms’ radiant Second Symphony ends in a burst of joy – a perfect conclusion to the Classics Series.

A close friend of the Mozart family, Sigmund Haffner, commissioned this serenade for the wedding of his sister Marie Elisabeth. Mozart delivered a substantial work in eight diverse movements, reflecting both its intended performance at a wedding eve celebration and the wealth of the commissioner. Graceful, engaging, boisterous and joyful, Mozart’s Haffner Serenade is a perfect conclusion to the Chamber Series.

A close friend of the Mozart family, Sigmund Haffner, commissioned this serenade for the wedding of his sister Marie Elisabeth. Mozart delivered a substantial work in eight diverse movements, reflecting both its intended performance at a wedding eve celebration and the wealth of the commissioner. Graceful, engaging, boisterous and joyful, Mozart’s Haffner Serenade is a perfect conclusion to the Chamber Series.

Always a favourite with Perth audiences, Jean-Yves Thibaudet’s dazzling technique, poetic musicianship and natural charisma are a perfect match for Gershwin’s sparkling Piano Concerto. Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, with its astonishing depictions of a lovesick musician’s hallucinatory fantasies, will provide an electrifying finale to Paul Daniel’s final Masters Series concert as Principal Conductor.

Verdi’s spectacular Requiem is an exhilarating musical masterpiece. The soaring melodies of Italian opera meet the colour and mesmerising intensity of the Roman liturgy in music of passion, drama and redemption. Joining your Orchestra is the 150-voice WASO Chorus and a superb cast of soloists. These Gala concerts mark the conclusion of Paul Daniel’s tenure as Principal Conductor of WASO.

Lior is one of Australia’s most successful singer-songwriters, renowned for his beautiful voice and songs that radiate truth and sincerity. Nigel Westlake is one of Australia’s finest composers, creating profoundly evocative music that touches the soul. Together with WASO, Lior and Westlake create an inspiring musical experience not to be missed.

Symphony in the City has become an essential part of summer in Perth. We continue the tradition in 2013 with another exciting free outdoor concert at Langley Park. This spectacular event will feature highlights from the 2014 season, as well as music from great film scores and audience favourites, including Tchaikovsky’s explosive 1812 Overture.