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Stephen Layton conducts an Orchestra with arms outstretched

Stephen Layton conducts Bach, Mozart & Handel

21 & 23 August 2025

In the Concert Hall

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Classical Music

Stephen Layton is one of the world's greatest choral conductors, an expert in vocal music from the Renaissance to the modern day.

Jubilant brightness

In this concert Stephen Layton conducts Baroque and Classical masterpieces by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Haydn, featuring guest soloist Sara Macliver.

Bach’s cantata Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen is joyful, bursting with radiant salvos from the trumpet from the very first bar; Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilate is every bit as bright, exalted and jubilant as its title suggests – both are ideally suited to acclaimed Australian soprano Sara Macliver and her ‘pure, pitch perfect, silvery’ voice (ABC). 

Handel’s celebratory Music for the Royal Fireworks is a perfect partner for these uplifting pieces, full of orchestral pyrotechnics that will make your heart soar. And Haydn’s Symphony No.44 is the perfect counterweight – full of his characteristic sturm und drang (‘storm and stress’) in the opening movement, before light breaks through the clouds in the gorgeous third movement.

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Programme

HAYDN Symphony No.44, Trauer*
JS BACH Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV51
MOZART Exsultate, jubilate
HANDEL Music for the Royal Fireworks
*Does not feature in the Thursday 21 August performance

Artist information

STEPHEN LAYTON conductor
SARA MACLIVER soprano

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