By Moto Perpetuo Staff
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) has officially unveiled its 2026/27 season, a milestone year that marks the inaugural tenure of Tarmo Peltokoski as Music Director. Under the season theme “JOIN FRIENDS!”, the orchestra has programmed 35 orchestral concerts featuring a distinguished roster of international artists and several high-profile world tours.
A landmark inaugural season
Peltokoski, who begins his tenure as Music Director in the 2026/27 season, is set to lead six programs featuring masterpieces he describes as “especially close to [his] heart”. His inaugural concert will feature Mahler’s monumental Symphony no. 8, the “Symphony of a Thousand”. This performance serves as a dual milestone for the ensemble: it is the HK Phil’s premiere of the work and the completion of the orchestra’s long-awaited cycle of all Mahler symphonies.
The Finnish conductor, previously described by Tagesspiegel as a “talent of a century,” is scheduled to lead major works throughout the season including Bruckner’s Fourth and Seventh symphonies, and Vaughan Williams’s Fourth Symphony.
Global tours and major debuts
The 2026/27 season will see the HK Phil expand its international presence significantly. In November and December 2026, Peltokoski will lead the orchestra on an extensive eight-city European tour across Spain, Germany, Finland, and Austria.
The season also marks the highly anticipated debut of Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, who will lead three programs with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and the Coro de Manos Blancas. Other conducting highlights include a season opening by Manfred Honeck and a grand finale led by Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
Featured artists and commissions
The season roster includes a prestigious list of international soloists. Among the guest stars are tenor Juan Diego Flórez, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and violinist Augustin Hadelich. The piano highlights of the season include performances by Martin Helmchen, Igor Levit, and Zhang Haochen, the latter performing the complete cycle of Brahms’ piano concertos.
Closer to home, the orchestra will mark the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return with tours to Beijing and Shanghai, as well as performances in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Local highlights include the return of the annual outdoor “Swire Symphony Under The Stars” at the Central Harbourfront.
More info here.
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