Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Brothers Lucas and Arthur Jussen bring competitive energy to Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos, alongside Takemitsu's jazz-inflected film scores. Conducted by Nodoka Okisawa. From 10 September.

A concise evening pairing Yoshimatsu's contemplative And Birds Are Still… with Poulenc's light, dance-filled Sinfonietta. Includes a short pre-performance talk, led by Nodoka Okisawa. One night only, 14 September.

Two modern works meet Brahms in this intimate morning of chamber music — David Lang's Wed, Caroline Shaw's Plan and Elevation, and Brahms' String Quintet No.2. One morning only, 20 September.

Forty years after Elton John invited the MSO on his 1986 national tour, the orchestra revisits that collaboration with singer/pianist Jason Dean, directed by Chong Lim AM. From 1 October.

MSO Young Artist in Association Christian Li returns home for Brahms' riveting Violin Concerto, conducted by Tianyi Lu, alongside Tchaikovsky's fairytale Swan Lake Suite. One night only, 10 October.

Shostakovich's Symphony No.7, written during the Siege of Leningrad, meets Tomasi's rarely heard Saxophone Concerto. Steven Banks makes his MSO debut under conductor Jonathon Heyward. One night only, 17 October.

Tim Burton's gentle, misunderstood outsider comes to life on screen as the MSO performs Danny Elfman's ethereal score live, in this Australian premiere. From 30 October.

Jaime Martín opens the MSO's Brahms Festival with Symphony No.1 — two decades in the making as Brahms wrestled with Beethoven's shadow. Denis Kozhukhin plays Piano Concerto No.1. One night only, 7 November.

Jaime Martín opens the MSO's Brahms Festival with Symphony No.1 — two decades in the making as Brahms wrestled with Beethoven's shadow. Denis Kozhukhin plays Piano Concerto No.1. One night only, 7 November.

A rare treat — two symphonies, one program. Symphony No.3 carries the "mysterious charm of the woods" that moved Clara Schumann; Symphony No.4 closes out his orchestral output. One night only, 14 November.

Sir Bryn Terfel opens the Brahms Festival finale with spiritual songs, before the MSO Chorus joins for Ein Deutsches Requiem — Brahms' humanist tribute to grief, written after his mother's death. From 19 November.

Sir James MacMillan conducts the Australian premiere of his own Christmas Oratorio, alongside Bach's companion piece and Handel's ecstatic "Hallelujah" chorus. From 26 November.