- In his second season as Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor, Kahchun Wong presents programmes including Rachmaninov, Elgar, Beethoven and Mahler, alongside new works from composers including Max Richter and Unsuk Chin.
- Titled positions include Anna Lapwood (Featured Artist), Unsuk Chin (Featured Composer) and Jonny Greenwood (Hallé Presents Featured Artist).
- Iconic composer and conductor, John Adams returns to Manchester for a three-day celebration of his music, including two concerts conducted by Adams and featuring a brand new commission.
- A rich selection of new music, including four UK premieres, two world premieres and one Manchester premiere.
- The popular ‘Rush Hour’ concerts return with hour-long early evening performances of orchestral music.
- ‘The Hallé Presents…’ contemporary musicseries continues with ground-breaking collaborations, including a production of Anna Meredith’s Anno at Aviva Studios and an eight-hour immersive performance of Jonny Greenwood’s organ installation at Manchester Cathedral.
Featuring the widest range of music, from classical masterpieces to the very latest new works, the Hallé’s 2025/26 season of concerts has something for everyone, in what is arguably the orchestra’s most diverse season to date. Following significant growth in new audiences, the new season ranges from large-scale symphonic repertoire to chamber music, with world-leading soloists, conductors and artists.
Kahchun Wong – Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor
After a sensational opening season in post, the orchestra’s Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor, Kahchun Wong, returns in 2025/26 with another varied and exciting programme of music for Hallé audiences.
In the opening concert of the season, he is joined by celebrated Norwegian cellist, Truls Mørk to perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto, preceded by Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and closing with Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony. He returns for the first ‘Rush Hour’ series with Elgar’s Enigma Variations – a firm Hallé audience favourite – which is beautifully paired with superstar organist and Featured Artist Anna Lapwood playing a Hallé co-commission by Max Richter.
Celebrating masterworks old and new, Wong will conduct music from a huge range of composers including Verdi, Mendelssohn, Unsuk Chin, Beethoven, Holst, Colin Matthews, Wagner, Brahms and Bartók, and closes the season with Mahler’s enigmatic Symphony No.6.
He will also welcome international guest artists to the stage, including Akiko Suwanai performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto (27 & 30 Nov), Jan Vogler for Shostakovich’s formidable First Cello Concerto (12 & 15 Feb), and Viktoria Mullova to perform Brahms’ Cello Concerto (19 & 22 Mar).
Sir Mark Elder – Conductor Emeritus
The Hallé’s Conductor Emeritus, Sir Mark Elder, returns for two concerts. In the first, he is joined by long term friend and collaborator, Dame Imogen Cooper, for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.27, alongside Dvořák’s Fifth Symphony (6 & 9 Nov). He returns in May with a concert featuring the Hallé Choir and Ukranian baritone Andrii Kymach – a welcome reunion for those lucky enough to have enjoyed their performance together at the 2023 BBC Proms.
Featured Artists
Having established a reputation for diverse and innovative collaborations, it is no surprise that this season sees the Hallé working closely with a number of major artists, with some key players in the world of music making repeat appearances throughout the season.
· Anna Lapwood is Featured Artist, performing across all strands of the Hallé’s programmes, including ‘Rush Hour’ concerts, ‘The Hallé Presents…’, and a Pops concert celebrating film music. She will be performing some of the finest music written for this incredible instrument, from Olivia Belli’s Limina Luminis, to Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar, Joseph Jongen’s Symphonie concertante and Poulenc’s Organ Concerto.
· Having worked closely for some time now, Unsuk Chin joins the Hallé in the role of Featured Composer. We will have the privilege of experiencing two UK premieres and one world premiere of her dazzling new work, as well as enjoying her incredible music woven throughout the season.
· ‘The Hallé Presents…’ series is now firmly established as an integral part of the Hallé’s artistic output, and this season Jonny Greenwood joins the orchestra in the new position of Hallé Presents Featured Artist. February sees him return to Manchester for two concerts: the first at The Bridgewater Hall; and the second at Manchester Cathedral. With Featured Artist Anna Lapwood and James McVinnie at the organ, 605 Years of Reverb is an immersive eight-hour experience that will take audiences from day to night in the stunning and atmospheric surroundings of one of the city’s most iconic buildings.
The Hallé Presents…
In addition to the Jonny Greenwood spotlight, ‘The Hallé Presents…’ continues with its signature ambitious contemporary collaborations. In the autumn, world-renowned composer and conductor John Adams returns to Manchester for a three-day festival celebrating his music. He has curated and will conduct two concerts featuring some of his most popular works, including Slonimsky’s Earbox, Harmonium, and The Chairman Dances, as well as joining forces with celebrated violinist Leila Josefowicz to perform Scheherazade.2, which was written for her.
Performing for the first time in Aviva Studios, the Hallé will also present an immersive and visually stunning interpretation of Anno, featuring composer Anna Meredith and Hallé Leader Roberto Ruisi.
New Music
Continuing its commitment to commissioning new music, the Hallé is thrilled to premiere a variety of new works this season. As well as a new commission as part of the John Adams festival, and the world premiere of Jonny Greenwood’s latest revision of Horror Vacui, audiences can experience the Manchester premiere of Max Richter’s Cosmology, UK premieres of Nico Muhly’s Doom Paintingand Unsuk Chin’s Le Silence des Sirènes and Operascope, as well as a world premiere of Chin’s revision of her Le Chant des Enfants des Étoiles.
Music for everyone
There will be opportunities to enjoy the full range of what an orchestra can do, from guitar anthems, Broadway classics and Gatsby-esque jazz celebrations, to a screening of cult-classic film The Silence of the Lambs, with Howard Shore’s iconic score performed live by the Hallé.
Christmas with the Hallé is back with the renowned carol concerts featuring the superb Hallé Choirs, a very special Messiah conducted by Jeannette Sorrell, and this year the Snowman is joined by Shaun the Sheep to delight younger audiences.
There will also be a series of inclusive Relaxed Concerts at Hallé St Peter’s, as well as the extensive programme of community and education work delivered by the Hallé Connect and Archive programmes.
Guest Artists
This season, the Hallé welcomes some of the world’s greatest artists to join them on stage, including Thomas Adès, Nicolas Altstaedt, Julius Asal, Mary Bevan, Lionel Bringuier, Katie Bray, Alpesh Chauhan, Alexander Gadjiev, Tine Thing Helseth, Emilia Hoving, Leila Josefowicz, Ariane Matiakh, Faustine de Monès, Viktoria Mullova, Maxime Pascal, Tarmo Peltokoski, Daniel Pioro, Chen Reiss, André de Ridder, Elena Schwarz, Maria Seletskaja, Jeannette Sorrell, Akiko Suwanai, Dénes Várjon, Katharina Wincor, and Amy Yule.
David Butcher, Hallé Chief Executive said:
‘We are thrilled to be launching another incredible and innovative season of music. This year we have such an extraordinary range of music to explore, and we are honoured to be working and collaborating with such an impressive line-up of talented artists. We’ve had an exceptional response from audiences over the last few seasons, and we hope to continue welcoming more people to experience the incredible power of their Hallé orchestra.’
Kahchun Wong, Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor said:
‘As we embark on this new season, I am excited to continue building on our shared passion for music. Whether it’s your first concert or one of many, I hope each performance leaves you inspired, moved and eager for more.’
The post The Hallé announces its 2025/26 season of concerts at The Bridgewater Halland across Manchester, welcoming audiences to another thrilling year of music and collaborations appeared first on The Classical Source.
