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Mon 19 Jun, 2023
From Anna Lapwood to Jonathon Heyward, our 2023/24 season is filled with soloists and conductors who are performing with us for the first time. Who are the soloists and conductors making their LPO debuts this season? Scroll down to find out more.
Conductor debuts
Bertie Baigent
Bertie Baigent came to international attention as the winner of the Grand Prix, Classical Prize, and Symphonic Prize at the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam 2022, following his ‘imposing’ and ‘spectacular’ performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 and the world premiere of Joey Roukens’s Night Flight with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.
On Sunday 26 November 2023, Bertie takes on Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 and Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto.
Mozart & Beethoven | Sunday 26 November 2023 | Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre
Tianyi Lu
Internationally known for her thrilling energy on the podium, her deeply creative approach and her open-hearted style of leadership, Chinese-born New Zealander Tianyi Lu collaborates with major orchestras and opera houses worldwide.
On Wednesday 6 December 2023, Tianyi Lu, winner of the 2020 Sir Georg Solti Conductors’ Competition, brings the gorgeous melodies of Scheherazade to life.
Scheherazade | Wednesday 6 December 2023 | Royal Festival Hall
Jonathon Heyward
Jonathon Heyward is forging a career as one of the most exciting conductors on the international scene. He currently serves as Music Director Designate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and will begin his five-year contract in the 2023-24 season.
On Saturday 13 January 2024, Jonathon leads a concert filled with the music of Academy Award-winning composer John Williams, ranging from Superman to the UK premiere of Williams’s Violin Concerto No. 2 played by Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Mutter plays John Williams | Saturday 13 January 2024 | Royal Festival Hall
Natalia Ponomarchuk
Sought-after for her emotionally charged interpretations and dynamic presence, Natalia Ponomarchuk is one of the most prominent Ukrainian orchestra conductors. She has been the Chief Conductor of the Kyiv Chamber Orchestra (part of the National Philharmonic of Ukraine) since 2018.
On Friday 19 January and Saturday 20 January 2024, Natalia explores the shared musical genius of the Schumanns and Mendelssohns.
Family Ties – The Schumanns and The Mendelssohns | Friday 19 January 2024 | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Family Ties – The Schumanns and The Mendelssohns | Saturday 20 January 2024 | Brighton Dome
Oksana Lyniv
Oksana Lyniv is Artistic Director of the international festival Lviv MozArt in Lviv/Lviv, Ukraine, which she co-founded, and of the Ukrainian Youth Symphony Orchestra.
On Friday 9 February 2024, Oksana Lyniv conducts Dvořák’s happiest symphony – his Eighth.
Oksana Lyniv conducts Dvořák | Friday 9 February 2024 | Royal Festival Hall
Kahchun Wong
Praised by Musical America for the ’depth and sincerity of his musicality’, Kahchun Wong will begin his tenure as the Hallé’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser from September 2024, succeeding Sir Mark Elder.
On Saturday 10 February and Sunday 11 February 2024, Kahchun invites the audience into the imaginative world of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
Pictures at an Exhibition | Saturday 10 February 2024 | Brighton Dome
Pictures at an Exhibition | Sunday 11 February 2024 | Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre
Gemma New
Sought-after for her insightful interpretations and dynamic presence, New Zealand-born Gemma New is Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
On Friday 22 March and Sunday 24 March 2024, Gemma presents a delicious evening with Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3.
Romeo and Juliet | Friday 22 March 2024 | Royal Festival Hall
Randall Goosby plays Mozart | Sunday 24 March 2024 | Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre
Pianist & organist debuts
Samson Tsoy
Lauded for the originality and intense drama of his interpretations, pianist Samson Tsoy is a great believer in the importance of establishing meaningful ways to venture outside the familiar and conservative. Praised as ‘Herculean soloist’ by The Observer, his performances were included among the best performances of 2020 and 2021 in The Guardian and The Arts Desk yearly reviews.
On Sunday 22 October 2023, Samson takes on Beethoven’s stormy Piano Concerto No. 3.
Brahms’s Second | Sunday 22 October 2023 | Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre
Anna Lapwood
Anna Lapwood is an associate artist of the Royal Albert Hall and holds the position of Director of Music at Pembroke College. She was awarded an Associateship of the Royal Academy of Music and the prestigious Gamechanger Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society in 2023.
On Wednesday 22 November 2023, Anna plays Saint-Saëns’s ‘Organ’ Symphony with the LPO for the first time.
Julian Joseph plays Gershwin | Wednesday 22 November 2023 | Royal Festival Hall
Julian Joseph
Acclaimed as one of the finest jazz musicians to emerge this side of the Atlantic, Julian Joseph has devoted his long career to championing the music across the British Isles and into the far corners of the globe.
On Wednesday 22 November 2023, Julian plays his own improvisatory version of Rhapsody in Blue, the way Gershwin himself would have played it.
Julian Joseph plays Gershwin | Wednesday 22 November 2023 | Royal Festival Hall
Alexander Melnikov
Alexander Melnikov graduated from the Moscow Conservatory under Lev Naumov. His most formative musical moments in Moscow include an early encounter with Svjatoslav Richter, who thereafter regularly invited him to festivals in Russia and France.
On Friday 19 January and Saturday 20 January 2024 , Alexander explores the shared musical genius of the Schumanns and Mendelssohns.
Family Ties – The Schumanns and The Mendelssohns | Friday 19 January 2024 | Queen Elizabeth Hall
Family Ties – The Schumanns and The Mendelssohns | Saturday 20 January 2024 | Brighton Dome
Seong-Jin Cho
With an innate musicality and overwhelming talent, Seong-Jin Cho has established himself worldwide as one of the leading pianists of his generation and most distinctive artists on the current music scene.
On Wednesday 10 April 2024, Seong-Jin Cho plays Beethoven’s poetic Fourth Piano Concerto.
Seong-Jin Cho plays Beethoven | Wednesday 10 April 2024 | Royal Festival Hall
String soloist debuts
Johan Dalene
22-year-old Swedish-Norwegian violinist Johan Dalene is already making an impact on the international scene, performing with leading orchestras and in celebrated recital halls both at home and abroad. His ability to ‘make his Stradivarius sing like a master’ (Le Monde), coupled with his refreshingly honest musicality and engagement with musicians and audiences alike, has won him countless admirers.
On Wednesday 27 September 2023, Johan invites the audience to an evening of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto.
Johan Dalene plays Sibelius | Wednesday 27 September 2023 | Royal Festival Hall
Benjamin Baker
Described by the New York Times as bringing ‘virtuosity, refinement and youthful exuberance’ to his debut at Merkin Concert Hall Benjamin is much sought after as soloist and chamber musician.
On Saturday 4 November, Benjamin takes the spotlight for Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante.
Tchaikovsky’s Fourth | Saturday 4 November 2023 | Brighton Dome
Jordan Bak
Award-winning Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak has achieved international acclaim as a trailblazing artist, praised for his radiant stage presence, dynamic interpretations, and fearless power.
On Saturday 4 November, Jordan takes the spotlight for Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante.
Tchaikovsky’s Fourth | Saturday 4 November 2023 | Brighton Dome
Francesca Dego
Celebrated for her sonorous tone, compelling interpretations and flawless technique, Francesca Dego is one of the most sought-after violinists on the international scene.
On Saturday 10 February and Sunday 11 February 2024, Francesca scales the Alpine peaks of Brahms’s radiant Violin Concerto.
Pictures at an Exhibition | Saturday 10 February 2024 | Brighton Dome
Pictures at an Exhibition | Sunday 11 February 2024 | Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre