{"id":114724,"date":"2025-05-30T12:27:05","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T16:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=114724"},"modified":"2025-05-30T14:00:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T18:00:01","slug":"preview-hamilton-philharmonic-orchestra-announces-2025-26-season-music-director-james-kahane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/05\/30\/preview-hamilton-philharmonic-orchestra-announces-2025-26-season-music-director-james-kahane\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra Announces 2025-26 Season With Music Director James Kahane"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_114726\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-114726\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-114726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-05-30T122245.021.jpg\" alt=\"R: Conductor James Kahan (Photo: Heikki Tuuli); R: The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (Photo courtesy of the HPO)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-05-30T122245.021.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-05-30T122245.021-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-05-30T122245.021-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-05-30T122245.021-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-114726\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">R: Conductor James Kahan (Photo: Heikki Tuuli); R: The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (Photo courtesy of the HPO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its 25- 26 Season under the artistic leadership of Music Director James Kahane. The season include nine full orchestra mainstage concerts at FirstOntario Concert Hall, in addition to other events that will be presented across the region.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are thrilled to share our 25-26 season program, building on the momentum from our HPO140 celebrations and continuing to evolve how we serve our community through music,\u201d says Kim Varian, HPO Executive Director in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMusic Director James Kahane has programmed an invigorating 25-26 Season that takes audience on an expansive journey with something for everyone to discover. We share iconic orchestral works, celebrate Canadian talent, highlight new music by living composers, and welcome acclaimed guest artists to our stage. We look forward to seeing you in the concert hall and around our community in 25-26!\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bv_LCPU7Y8E?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>HPO: Season at a Glance<\/h2>\n<p>The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has been performing for audience for 140 years, with season 141 on the horizon. Here\u2019s a look at the 2025\/26 season in brief.<\/p>\n<h3>Mainstage Concerts<\/h3>\n<p><strong>The Journey Begins (September 20, 2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>James S. Kahane, Conductor<br \/>\nRoman Rabinovich, Piano<\/p>\n<p>This season opening concert presents the first major hits by composers Sibelius, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and the HPO\u2019s Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte. Music Director James Kahane leads the Orchestra in En Saga, described by Sibelius as \u201can adventure in an inner landscape\u201d, a first symphony written by a teenage Shostakovich, and more.<\/p>\n<p>The program includes;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jean Sibelius, En Saga<\/li>\n<li>Sergei Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 1<\/li>\n<li>Abigail Richardson-Schulte: Eris<\/li>\n<li>Dmitri Shostakovich, Symphony No. 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Jurassic Park: Film with Orchestra (October 18, 2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Steven Spielberg\u2019s monster hist comes to vivid life with a live accompaniment of John Williams\u2019 iconic score.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Light Emerges (November 8, 2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nil Venditti, Conductor<br \/>\nLeana Rutt, Cello<\/p>\n<p>Destinations and deep emotions are the themes for this concert with guest conductor Nil Vendetti, and the HPO\u2019s own Principal Cello Leana Rutt as the soloist in Elgar\u2019s Cello Concerto.<\/p>\n<p>The program includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Giuseppe Verdi, La forza del destino<\/li>\n<li>Edward Elgar, Cello Concerto<\/li>\n<li>Wojciech Kilar, Orawa for Strings<\/li>\n<li>Felix Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4 \u2018Italian\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u2019Tis the Season (December 13, 2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>James S. Kahane, Conductor<br \/>\nHamilton Children&#8217;s Choir, Guest Artists<br \/>\nHamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Guest Artists<\/p>\n<p>The orchestra celebrates the festive season with classic carols and holiday songs, along with other upbeat music of the holidays. Local dancers add to the experience on stage with the HPO, HPYO and Hamilton Children\u2019s Choir.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Monomyth: The Hero&#8217;s Journey (January 17, 2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Alondra de la Parra, Conductor<br \/>\nThomas Enhco, Piano<\/p>\n<p>Symphonic blockbusters open the new year for the HPO, performing with soloist Thomas Enhco in a program of Mozart and Beethoven, opening with Grazyna Bacewicz\u2019s fiery Overture.<\/p>\n<p>The program includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Grazyna Bacewicz, Overture<\/li>\n<li>Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 21<\/li>\n<li>Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 3 &#8220;Eroica&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>From Hamilton, With Love: HPO &amp; Dwayne Gretzky (February 14, 2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lucas Waldin, Conductor<br \/>\nDwayne Gretzky, Guest Artists<\/p>\n<p>Dwayne Gretzky and conductor Lucas Waldin lead the HPO in hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s in a musical celebration of love.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dancing Through Life (March 21, 2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>James S. Kahane, Conductor<br \/>\nSusanne Hou, Violin<\/p>\n<p>Dance-inspired music makes up the program of this concert, with Canadian violinist Susanne Hou performing as the soloist in Saint-Sa\u00ebns\u2019 Spanish-inflected Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso. A Spanish theme is also evoked in Philippe Hersant\u2019s Rondes de Nuit, added to the program along with works by Ravel and Dvo\u0159\u00e1k.<\/p>\n<p>The program includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maurice Ravel (Arr. Zolt\u00e1n Kocsis), Le Tombeau de Couperin<\/li>\n<li>Camille Saint-Sa\u00ebns, Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso<\/li>\n<li>Philippe Hersant, Rondes de Nuit<\/li>\n<li>Anton\u00edn Dvo\u0159\u00e1k, Symphony No. 8<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Myth &amp; Memory (April 18, 2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>James S. Kahane, Conductor<br \/>\nStephen Sitarski, Violin<\/p>\n<p>HPO concertmaster Stephen Sitarski performs Beethoven\u2019s only violin concerto in a program that also includes monumental Brahms, and an evocative work by Paul Hindemith.<\/p>\n<p>The program includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Paul Hindemith, Amor and Psyche (Farnesina)<\/li>\n<li>Ludwig van Beethoven, Violin Concerto<\/li>\n<li>Johannes Brahms, Symphony No. 3<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tchaikovsky\u2019s Fate (May 2, 2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>James S. Kahane, Conductor<br \/>\nAnna Fedorova, Piano<\/p>\n<p>Arvo P\u00e4rt\u2019s musical memorial for English composer Benjamin Britten opens the program for the season finale concert. Pianist Anna Fedorova performs Rachmaninoff, with Tchaikovsky\u2019s 5th, and a new work by the next HPO Composer Fellow, rounding out the bill.<\/p>\n<p>The program includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Arvo P\u00e4rt, Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten<\/li>\n<li>Sergei Rachmaninoff, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini<\/li>\n<li>Composer Fellow: New Work<\/li>\n<li>Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Gg7MhvH6Dq0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Off-The-Mainstage Concert Series<\/h3>\n<p>Collaborations and innovations characterize the Off-The-Mainstage series.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Considering Matthew Shepard (November 26, 2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Elora Singers, Guest Artists<\/p>\n<p>Composer Craig Hella Johnson\u2019s powerful fusion oratorio pays tribute to the life and tragic death of Matthew Shepard. The young gay man\u2019s 1998 murder became a spark that led to change. Johnson\u2019s piece for soloists, choir, and chamber orchestra interweaves personal reflections, poems, and historical texts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Handel\u2019s Messiah (December 5 &amp; 7, 2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Co-production with Bach Elgar Choir<\/p>\n<p>The HPO and the Bach Elgar Choir join forces for Handel\u2019s holiday classic in a performance that\u2019s sure to add to the spirit of the festive season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mozart\u2019s Don Giovanni (February 7, 2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>James Kahane, Conductor<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cosacanada.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">COSA<\/a>, Guest Artists<\/p>\n<p>Mozart\u2019s Don Giovanni has both comic and tragic moments in its telling of the Don Juan story. The HPO collaborates with the Centre for Opera Studies &amp; Appreciation Canada to share the magic of the art form with orchestral accompaniment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Intimate &amp; Immersive: Earth Songs (April 8, 2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>James Kahane, Conductor<\/p>\n<p>The HPO Intimate &amp; Immersive series returns for an atmospheric concert experience at the historic Cotton Factory loft. The space will be transformed with multimedia installations and projections designed to complement the music.<\/p>\n<h2>Subscriptions &amp; Tickets<\/h2>\n<p>Find the tickets you want:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Subscription packages are on sale now [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hpo.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<li>Single tickets to off-the-mainstage concerts are also available now.<\/li>\n<li>Single tickets for all mainstage concert at FirstOntario Concert Hall go on sale August 14.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? Have a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/masthead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>news tip<\/u><\/a>? 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