James Ehnes performs Brahms’ Violin Concerto

6 – 8 March 2025

In the Concert Hall

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Classical Music

The soaring first movement of Brahms’ Violin Concerto is worth the price of admission alone. It’s a breathtaking introduction to one of the most incredible concertos ever written. 

In a class of his own.

The Times on James Ehnes

Useful information:

Evocative storytelling

James Ehnes is one of the greatest violinists in the world, his performances praised for their astounding lyricism and beauty.

Rising star Finnegan Downie Dear, a protégé of Simone Young, conducts Ehnes in this concert of evocative works by master storytellers. He takes us from the Hungarian folk music-infused passages of Brahms’ concerto to Rimsky-Korsakov’s spirited Capriccio espagnol, complete with violins and cellos imitating Spanish guitars. 

And kicking off a year of celebrations for the 150th birthday of the great French composer Maurice Ravel (born 7 March 1875), his Mother Goose with its cast of fairy-tale characters – including Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb and Beauty and the Beast – captures his trademark charm and rich orchestral colour.

Enchanting from start to finish.

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Programme

BRAHMS Violin Concerto
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio espagnol*
RAVEL Mother Goose (complete) 
*Features in the Saturday 8 March performance only

Artist information

FINNEGAN DOWNIE DEAR conductor
JAMES EHNES violin

Plan your visit

You may also like

Simone Young conducts Siegfried

13 & 16 Nov 2025

Wagner’s Ring Cycle is one of the great achievements in Western art. At its beating heart – packed with passion, violence, rage, betrayal and tragedy – sits the sprawling legend of Siegfried. Starring a world-class cast of singers, including internationally acclaimed Simon O’Neill in the title role, this third instalment in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's Ring Cycle in concert is a once-in a-generation event.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
graphic showing a firey circle with a sharp dagger pointing towards a stone superimposed over gloomy clouds

The Tallis Scholars

12 Oct 2025

Award-winning British vocal ensemble, The Tallis Scholars return to the Sydney Opera House for the first time in over two decades with an unmissable program inspired by the timeless beauty of Gregorian chant. The Tallis Scholars are renowned for their stunning cappella performances and exquisite recordings of sacred vocal music. The choir first sang at the Sydney Opera House in 1985, 40 years ago, and has returned five times since.

  • Classical Music

A Musical Awakening

21 Sep 2025

Music is visceral and vital. In A Musical Awakening, we invite you to take a breath and lean into this program designed to nourish your soul. Directed by ACO Principal Cello Timo-Veikko Valve, the Orchestra will be joined by friend and recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey, whose mastery of this most elemental of instruments is unsurpassed.

  • Classical Music
  • Australian Chamber Orchestra
The surface of a dark body of water with light reflected of gentle waves and wind creating soft spray of whitewater.

Checking availability