A fresh roster of guest stars joins the JPO on stage for this Early Spring Season. The opening night on Thu, Aug 7 welcomes Dutch maestro Arjan Tien for a colourful programme of Franco-Armenian-Czech showpieces, featuring a dazzling trumpet solo by Dingaan Chabalala and a spirited symphonic finale.
Taiwanese-American conductor Mei-Ann Chen leads concerts two and three. Expect a dynamic evening of Classical masterpieces by Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven on Thu, Aug 14, with Spanish pianist Judith Jáuregui. It's a German and French Romantic repertoire on Thu, Aug 21, featuring a rare overture and a solo from virtuoso pianist Keigo Mukawa.
The ever-popular Daniel Boico tops the season with an evening of crowd-pleasers for the fourth and final concert on Thu, Aug 28, featuring a violin showcase by Chinese Canadian talent Yi-Jia Susanne Hou and Tchaikovsky’s powerful final symphony.
Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra's Early Spring Season 2025
WEEK 1: THU, AUG 7 AT 19:30
Dutch conductor Arjan Tien returns to the Joburg podium leading the orchestra in the opening programme of the season with solo trumpeter Dingaan Chabalala. The evening's performances include Carmen suite by George Bizet, Alexander Arutiunian's Trumpet Concerto in A-flat Major and Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 6 in D Major.
WEEK 2: THU, AUG 14 AT 19:30
Taiwanese-American conductor, Mei-Ann Chen, who has been described as highly communicative, and is also the first woman to win the Malko Competition for young conductors in Copenhagen (2005), leads the orchestra in her eagerly anticipated debut in Joburg, alongside solo pianist Judith Jáuregui. Expect Mozart's Symphony No. 35 in D Major , Haydn's Piano Concerto in D Major and Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major.
WEEK 3: THU, AUG 21 AT 19:30
Chen once again leads the orchestra in an exciting third-week programme that includes works by Mendelssohn-Hensel, Saint-Saëns, and Schumann. Joining her is solo pianist, Keigo Mukawa. Expect masterpieces that include Mendelssohn-Hensel's Overture in C Major, Saint-Saëns's Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major and Schumann's Symphony No. 4 in d minor.
WEEK 4: THU, AUG 28 AT 19:30
For the final concert of the season, acclaimed conductor Daniel Boico leads a luminous programme featuring solo violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou. On the programme is Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 4 in d minor, Wieniawski's Violin Concerto No. 2 in d minor and ends with Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 7 in E-flat Major.
PRE-CONCERT TALKS AT 18:30
Before each performance, patrons can enjoy free talks by Deano Maduramuthu (previously from the Morning Drive on Classic 1027) starting at 18:30. An early dinner is served in the restaurant adjacent to the Linder Auditorium from 17:00.
Book tickets for JPO's Early Spring Season
Over four weeks from Thu, Aug 7 – Thu, Aug 28, the JPO and special guests light up the stage at the Linder Auditorium. Tickets range from R180 to R410 per person. To secure Season Tickets, contact the JPO office directly by emailing info@jpo.co.za or rosie@jpo.co.za or by phoning +27 11 484 0446. For those who wish to purchase single concert tickets, book your seats online here.
Note: No children under three may attend. Secure parking is available on the premises.
