Classics Series

The Classics Series features eight concerts to delight music lovers with a perfect blend of well-loved favourites. 

Organ Spectacular

Embrace this opportunity to experience the enormous and magnificent sound of the Perth Concert Hall’s 3000-pipe organ. This powerful king of instruments will be played by Perth’s own Joseph Nolan. Vibrant young Australian Nicholas Carter returns to WASO to conduct a spectacular opening to the Classics Series.

Beethoven’s Fifth

Beethoven’s Fifth is the best known symphony in the orchestral repertoire. This concert, led by our Principal Conductor, will start with a bang with Music for the Royal Fireworks. Kurt Nikkanen makes his WASO debut performing Adès’ sparkling violin concerto. This is a concert full of great orchestral works, old and new.

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth

From Disney to destiny: we start with Dukas’ famous work featured in the film Fantasia, and finish with Tchaikovsky’s prized Fifth Symphony, exploring the agonies and ecstasies of fate. Amy Dickson debuts with WASO in a new work specially composed for her by Ross Edwards.

Ravel’s Piano Concerto

Join us on a grand tour through Europe: from England to Russia, and France to Italy. Acclaimed pianist Cédric Tiberghien returns to perform Ravel’s jazz-inspired concerto. We welcome back the esteemed Tadaaki Otaka to conduct this enchanting concert, finishing with Mendelssohn’s sublime Italian symphony.

Tasmin Little Plays Bruch

This concert showcases the rich sonorities of your Orchestra in Brahms’ mighty Fourth Symphony. It makes the culmination of Brahms’ symphonic writing an astonishing work filled with drama and passion. Classic Brit Award-winner Tasmin Little returns to perform Bruch’s treasured concerto.

Arabian Nights

In a program of dazzling, exotic orchestral sound, Stephen Hough performs Saint-Saëns’ Egyptian inspired concerto. Rimsky-Korsakov’s work unveils the story of Scheherazade, who told fascinating tales for 1001 nights. Robert Spano is one of today’s most imaginative conductors and makes his debut with WASO in this breathtaking concert.

Dvořák’s New World

Spend a joyous evening with your Orchestra and hear the uplifting sounds of Dvořák’s Symphony From the New World. This work, No.6 on the ABC Classic 100, features one of the best known Largo melodies of all time. Michael Collins displays his virtuosity in two of the most stunning works for clarinet.

Mozart & Strauss

Take a journey into the vast landscape of the Alps, from Rossini’s popular overture to Strauss’ epic symphony with 120 musicians on stage. Don’t miss Mozart’s sublime concerto featuring our own supremely talented Andrew Nicholson and much-loved Australian harpist Marshall McGuire.