The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2025-26 season marks its 125th anniversary with a dynamic blend of historical masterpieces and contemporary works. Under the leadership of Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the season features a series of world premieres and an homage to its past.
In a statement reflecting the significance of this anniversary, Nézet-Séguin said, “This season is a reflection of our deep-rooted connection to American music, as well as a tribute to our extraordinary history, which is inseparable from the orchestra’s identity.”
A Journey Through Time: The Legacy Series
The season begins with an exploration of key works that shaped The Philadelphia Orchestra’s identity, including pieces that have a unique historical connection to the ensemble. The orchestra’s “Coming to America” series will highlight compositions that had their first world premiere or U.S. performances with the orchestra, starting with Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major on September 25. This piece, which debuted in the U.S. in 1932, will be paired with Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 and Ravel’s Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloé. Pianist Yuja Wang will join the orchestra as soloist for the concerto.
Other works in this series include Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5 (Nov. 29-30) and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring Seong-Jin Cho (Jan. 31, 2026). The program also includes Stravinsky’s revolutionary The Rite of Spring, (Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2026). These concerts will serve as a reminder of the orchestra’s role in introducing groundbreaking compositions to American audiences.
New Horizons: Premieres and Contemporary Voices
One of the defining aspects of the 2025-26 season is the orchestra’s commitment to commissioning and performing new music. A highlight of the season is the world premiere of John Adams’ The Rock You Stand On, which will be conducted by principal guest conductor Marin Alsop on October 3. This piece, commissioned for the orchestra, will be paired with Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 3, featuring pianist Yunchan Lim. The season will also showcase the work of rising star composers like Tyshawn Sorey, whose Piano Concerto will receive its world premiere in May 2026, performed by the orchestra and pianist Aaron Diehl.
In addition to these commissions, the orchestra will revisit some of the most important contemporary works in the repertoire. Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto for Orchestra will be performed under Nézet-Séguin’s direction (Oct. 24-26), and Ears of the Book by Du Yun, featuring pipa virtuoso Wu Man, will make its Philadelphia debut (Jan. 22-24, 2026).
Celebrating Diversity: Voices from America
In a nod to the orchestra’s mission to highlight diverse American voices, the 2025-26 season will shine a spotlight on composers whose works have often been overlooked in mainstream concert halls. Through its Voices of America initiative, the orchestra will perform works by composers such as William Grant Still, Amy Beach, Julius Eastman, and Louis Ballard. Still’s Wood Notes will be performed in its new edition by Principal Librarian Nicole Jordan on Oct. 30-Nov. 2, and Beach’s “Gaelic” Symphony will be performed in March 2026.
The season will also include a tribute to Leonard Bernstein with a program of selections from West Side Story, Candide, and Symphony No. 1 (Jeremiah) (June 4-7, 2026), highlighting Bernstein’s immense influence on both American music and the orchestra’s history.
Soloists and directors
Other soloists who will be part of the season include violinist Augustin Hadelich, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianists Haochen Zhang, Lang Lang, while guest conductors such as Stéphane Denève, Matthias Pintscher, Rafael Payare, Dalia Stasevska, and Esa-Pekka Salonen will also take the podium,
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