The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) is back with their Summer Symphony Season for 2026, running from 26 February to 19 March. This four-week classical music event in Johannesburg once again promises a fresh lineup of internationally acclaimed conductors and soloists, familiar faces and exciting debut performers.
This year the musical programme leans heavily on iconic German and Slavic works, as well as well-respected compositions by Grieg, Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky, Chopin and more
Here is the full season lineup not to be missed:
Week 1
The Summer Symphony Season 2026 opens with a programme featuring two performances of Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto’s: Cello Concerto No. 2, Op. 119 in d minor and Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 33 in a minor.
The programme is rounded out by Britten’s ‘Simple Symphony’, written for a string ensemble, and Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9, Op. 95 in e minor, “New World”, a widely popular work in which the composer attempted to replicate the principal sounds of American musical soul.
Concert 1 is led in conduction by leading Japanese conductor Yasuo Shinozaki, and the soloist for the evening is one of the most compelling artists of his generation, Canadian-born, Berlin-based cellist Bryan Cheng.
Cost: From R190pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 26 February at 7:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Week 2
In week two of the Summer Symphony Season, local and international talents unite as South African born and bred Conrad van Alphen leads in conduction, whilst piano virtuoso, Ludmil Angelov, joins as soloist for the evening.
The evening’s programme features a performance of Gabriel Fauré’s Masques et bergamasques, Op. 112 orchestral suite. Originally arranged as a theatrical entertainment piece commissioned by Albert I, Prince of Monaco in 1919, the JPO and visiting soloist Ludmil Angelov breathe new life into the composition.
Also on the programme is Chopin’s Variations on La ci darem la mano, Op. 2, a piano and orchestra homage to Mozart, and his Grande polonaise brillante, Op. 22.
Closing out the performance programme is Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, Op. 36 in D Major, one of the last works of the composer’s early period, written during a period of transition, when his deafness was becoming more pronounced and he began to realise that it might be incurable. In sharp contrast to the potentially devastation Beethoven might have been feeling as he was losing his hearing, the piece is said to feature many “Beethovenian musical jokes”.
Cost: From R190pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 5 March at 7:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Week 3
Week 3 of the Summer Symphony Season is a local affair, featuring a roster full of South African talent. The concert is led in conduction by popular returning conductor Daniel Boico, and the South African soloists for the evening are violinist Zanta Hofmeyr and soprano Siphokazi Maphumulo. Along with orchestral support from the JPO, the soloists are also supported in performance by the Gauteng Choristers.
The programme features a performance of Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture (Fingal’s Cave), a string-heavy, haunting ode to the sounds and emotions of the sea that was inspired by the composer’s visit to Fingal’s Cave in Scotland. Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, Op. 64 in e minor is also on the cards for the evening.
Completing the programme will be a performance of Canadian-born South African composer, Warren Bessey’s ‘The Rise of the Hunter’, a moving piece rooted in South African history and indigeneity.
Cost: From R190pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 12 March at 7:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Week 4
The fourth and final concert of the Summer Symphony Season, sees Conrad van Alphen return as conductor, with talented young Bulgarian pianist, Emanuil Ivanov, as the evening’s soloist.
At the top of the performance programme is Reznícek’s three-act comic opera composition, Donna Diana Overture. The talented Emanuil Ivanov displays his talent with an atmospheric performance of Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 3. To close off the evening and the season, the audience is treated to Tchaikovsky’s final completed symphony, Symphony No. 6, Op. 74 in b minor, “Pathetique”.
Cost: From R190pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 19 March at 7:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Make sure you arrive early for the informative Pre-Concert Talks
Plan your evening carefully and be sure to join the Pre-Concert Talks that run before each concert at 6:30pm. Deano Maduramuthu, previously from the Morning Drive on Classic 1027 hosts an informative and engaging way to learn about the music before your concert.
The talks touch on music theory, guided listening and the programme’s historical and cultural context. Entrance to the talks is free and all patrons are welcome.
27 Degrees restaurant right next to Linder Auditorium serves dinner from 5pm and secure and convenient parking is available.
More about JPO
The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) is a not-for-profit company that is invested in identifying and nurturing local talent and skills in the city’s creative community. Their seasonal concerts and regular collaborations are prime markers of using classical music to bring people together.
When: From 26 February to 19 March 2026, every Thursday from 7:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Website: jpo.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 011 484 0446
Facebook: @JohannesburgPhilharmonicOrchestra
Instagram: @johannesburgphilharmonic
