The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) has unveiled its 2025/26 season “Find Out”, with Tarmo Peltokoski as the Music Director Designate, set to officially take on the role in September 2026.
The highly anticipated season features 26 mainstage programs, bringing together a remarkable array of guest artists and ensembles from around the world.
In a special announcement, Peltokoski shared his excitement for the season, which will include three of his own conducted programs, all centered around works by his mentor and the orchestra's Composer-in-Residence, Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Peltokoski’s contributions to the 2025/26 season promise to be memorable.
The first program, a Nordic-inspired concert in December 2025, opens with Castor by Salonen, followed by a performance of Grieg’s iconic Piano Concerto, with the world-renowned Lang Lang as the soloist. The concert will conclude with Sibelius's Lemminkäinen Suite.
Peltokoski’s second program in April 2026 features Salonen’s Violin Concerto, performed by the concerto’s original soloist, Leila Josefowicz. The performance also includes Shostakovich’s powerful Symphony No. 11, capturing the intensity of human struggles.
The season will close in July 2026 with a grand finale, as Peltokoski conducts Salonen’s Pollux followed by Vaughan Williams’s sweeping A Sea Symphony, a monumental work that sets the poetry of Walt Whitman to music. The performance will feature soprano Chen Reiss, bass-baritone Andrè Schuen, and the combined voices of the HK Phil Chorus and the London Philharmonic Choir.
In addition to Peltokoski's exciting programs, the HK Phil’s 2025/26 season also includes a variety of engaging holiday, family, and pops concerts.
One of the major highlights will be a tribute to legendary composer James Horner, marking the 10th anniversary of his passing. This concert, conducted by Dirk Brossé, will feature some of Horner’s most iconic film scores, including Titanic, Braveheart, and Avatar. The performance of My Heart Will Go On will be sung by Crisel Consunji, offering a heartwarming nod to Horner’s musical legacy.
For video game enthusiasts, conductor Kevin Zakresky will lead the HK Phil in The Heroes: A Video Game Symphony, a concert that explores some of the most iconic music from video games, celebrating the hero’s journey through thrilling soundtracks.
Meanwhile, Disney fans will delight in Frozen Live in Concert, where the HK Phil will perform the beloved soundtrack of Frozen live, accompanying the film on the big screen.
The season will also bring the joyful New Year’s Gala, conducted by Gergely Madaras, featuring waltzes, marches, and polkas from the Strauss family, as well as Brahms's Hungarian Dances and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies.
For younger audiences, the Magical Musical Meander family concert will offer an enchanting journey through 350 years of music. Narrated by magician Harry Gor Gor and conducted by Joshua Tan, the concert will include music from composers such as Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Ravel, and Vivaldi, combining classical melodies with storytelling magic.
As part of its ongoing efforts to make classical music more accessible, the HK Phil will once again present its signature free outdoor event, Swire Symphony Under The Stars, conducted by Tan Dun.
The highly anticipated event will take place at the West Kowloon Cultural District on November 22, 2025, offering the public a chance to experience world-class music in a stunning outdoor setting.
The 2025/26 season also marks the re-launch of the HK Phil’s subscription plan, which allows patrons to create their own series by selecting at least three programs from the season.
This year’s season promises to be a dynamic and engaging celebration of music, bringing together exceptional performances, inspiring collaborations, and unique experiences for the Hong Kong community and beyond.
Marco Lam (marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com)
