Masters at work

We open the Masters Series with a bang! Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser Asher Fisch takes to the helm for Mozart’s enchanting 40th Symphony, joined by our 2019 Artist in Association, Australian soprano Siobhan Stagg, to perform two exceptional vocal works.

“There can be no doubt, Siobhan Stagg really is something special.” – Limelight Magazine

We return to Mozart with none other than Andrea Ottensamer, Principal Clarinet of the Berlin Philharmonic and one of the most in-demand clarinettists in the world, brings his sensitive artistry to the divine Clarinet Concerto. Our Orchestra will thrive under the baton of English conductor Mark Wigglesworth, who is renowned for his masterful interpretations of the second feature piece on this program, Elgar’s First Symphony. The Times said of his recent performance, “It had everything.”

And the WASO debuts continue! Armenian-born Narek Hakhnazaryan is hailed as “nothing short of magnificent” and is already one of the finest cellists of his generation. He brings his formidable technique to one of the most difficult works in the cello repertoire, Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto. This work is preceded by Nyx, a magical piece by Esa-Pekka Salonen who has made a name for himself as one of the world’s leading composer-conductors.

We welcome back a WASO favourite, Simone Young with Spanish pianist Javier Perianes for Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto. Then Danish-born violinist and conductor Nikolaj Znaider returns to WASO to conduct Asher Fisch as soloist performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto. Music like you’ve never seen it before!

“Not many composers can take you on a journey of Spanish bravado in one piece, and then transfix you in images of mortality in the next. Such is the music of Richard Strauss and the utter beauty of his tone poems.” Julia Brooke, Horn

Our 2019 Masters Series will also treat you to a world premiere by James Ledger, a crowd-pleasing favourite, Symphonie Fantastique, and a Discovery Concert as part of an entertaining initiative to inspire everyone with new ways to experience classical music.

Extraordinary music. Exhilarating performances. Welcome to WASO 2019. Subscriptions on sale now.

Asher Fisch appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts. World Artist Javier Perianes appears courtesy of Singapore Airlines. James Ledger’s Viola Concerto was commissioned for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra by Geoff Stearn.