WASO Welcomes International Talent

Ukrainian-born pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk returns to WASO to perform Rachmaninov’s dazzling Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in our opening concert of the year. Known worldwide for his electrifying and poetic performances, the show-stopping Rhapsody is a can’t-miss experience under the deft hands of Garylyuk, and the perfect way to kick-off our new MACA Symphonic Series at Winthrop Hall.

Finnish violinist Satu Vänskä (currently Principal Violin of the Australia Chamber Orchestra) is doing double-duty in her WASO debut as she performs and directs this captivating program of works. Vänskä makes her WASO soloist debut performing Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto, and directs the Orchestra in Boccherini’s fiery La casa del diavolo and a range of other musical delights. Spanning four centuries of music, this concert is a true showcase of exceptional orchestral music from Classical to Contemporary.

Virtuoso Italian cellist, Umberto Clerici, made a name performing on the stages of the world’s most prestigious concert halls. Following a swift trajectory of prestigious conducting engagements, Clerici is now in high demand across Australia (he’s currently the Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra), New Zealand and Europe. Beloved by Perth audiences, Clerici returns to WA in 2025 to both conduct and make his WASO soloist debut with Saint-Saëns’ compact and mercurial Cello Concerto.

Acclaimed Dutch conductor Otto Tausk reunites with WASO for two back-to-back concert weekends. The first enthralling program, Glorious Nights, sees Tausk conducting Poulenc’s captivating Gloria, as well as the highly-anticipated world premiere of Andrew Schultz’s Symphony No.4. The following weekend is another opportunity to experience Tausk live in-action at Danceworks, the opening concert of our new Underground contemporary music series.

Symphonic grandeur abounds as Edward Gardner, Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, makes his long-awaited WASO debut. Among Gardner’s many accolades are an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera (2009) and an OBE for Services to Music in The Queen’s Birthday Honours (2012). With a billing that includes Schubert, Britten and Brahms, this concert is set to be a must-see in the 2025 season.

Dutch violinist Simone Lamsma is known worldwide for her polished, expressive and intense playing, and she returns to WASO with Bruch’s ever-popular First Violin Concerto. Writing about her 2016 concert performance with WASO, The West Australian described Lamsma as “a soloist who reached for, and touched, the stars” with a technique that “many a lesser musician would give eye teeth to emulate.”

Few WASO debuts are met with the ecstatic acclaim that greeted Vasily Petrenko’s in 2022, and Perth audiences have only continued to embrace him. Just last year, Limelight hailed him as a “[master] of detail and magisterial structure” for his leading of WASO’s Brahms’ Splendour. He returns in 2025 with music from his adopted homeland; Walton’s grand Spitfire Prelude and Fugue and Vaughan Williams’ profoundly moving Fifth Symphony.

Last seen with WASO in 2023, Chinese-Australian cellist Li-Wei Qin is bringing his signature suave style to three performances at Winthrop Hall. In the epic finale to our MACA Symphonic Series, Qin brings to life the grace and virtuosity of Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. Qin’s relationship with WASO spans over 30 years – he won the ABC Young Performer Award final in Perth with the Orchestra in 1993 – so you know there’s magic in store.

Acclaimed worldwide for his insightful musicianship and extraordinary virtuosity, Czech pianist Lukáš Vondráček has forged a close artistic connection with Asher Fisch and WASO. For our final Classical concerts of the year, Vondráček, Fisch and the Orchestra are combining forces to perform all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos in one extraordinary week of music. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience an exceptional pianist in action as we take you on a journey from the wistful youth and romance of Beethoven’s First Concerto to the majestic grandeur of his Fifth.