New 2025-2026 season of the BRSO

$BRSO Sommertour mit Simon Rattle: Lucerne Festival 2024 © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

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Sir Simon Rattle with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks.

In his third season as chief conductor, Sir Simon Rattle will once again conduct at least one concert in every subscription series. As one of the most versatile conductors of our time, his repertoire ranges from Purcell and Bach to Haydn, Beethoven, Bruckner and Mahler to Janáček, Stravinsky and a world premiere by Olga Neuwirth.

You can look forward to many outstanding guest conductors and soloists as well as new, wonderful projects from the BRSO Academy (celebrating its 25th anniversary), our “Watch This Space” series, “BRSO baroque”, chamber concerts, “BRSO und du” and musica viva (celebrating its 80th anniversary).

We wish you a moving 2025/2026 season!

You can find all BRSO concerts of the new season in the concert calendar:

To the concert calendar

BRSO subscriptions

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Simon Rattle will conduct at least one concert in each subscription series.

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The artists of the new season (selection)

$Gustavo Dudamel © BR\Astrid Ackermann$

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“BRSO baroque”

The BRSO's newest concert series is the result of chief conductor Sir Simon Rattle's initiative to expand the BRSO programme to include baroque music. The first concert of the season will be conducted by Sir Simon himself. The programme includes works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Christoph Bach and George Frideric Handel. The second concert with works by Purcell, Bach, Telemann and Lully will be directed by baroque violinist Rachel Podger.

To the concert on February 8, 2026

To the concert on May 3, 2026

More about Simon Rattle

Simon Rattle's point of view

Eye-tracking experiment

During a rehearsal of Richard Wagner's Siegfried, Sir Simon wore specially prepared glasses that recorded his visual perception. They documented the astonishing speed and precision of his eye movements, which is essential for the silent dialog between conductor and musicians.

To the video

What is he thinking?

A new online format takes you inside Sir Simon Rattle's head

The mind of a chief conductor must be like a six-lane highway. What if you could take a look inside? Our new online format Discover Music with Simon Rattle makes it possible.

Learn more

An Ode to Sir Simon, honored with the 2025 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize

A few days before his 70th birthday, Sir Simon Rattle was awarded the “Nobel Prize in Music”, the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize 2025.

Sir Willard W. White, one of the most important singers of his generation, has written an ode to the moving conductor. He has long had a bond with Sir Simon Rattle that is not just musical.

The talented Mr. Rattle

An Ode to Sir Simon Rattle, honored with the 2025 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, who moves us in so many ways

Willard W. White

Sir Simon Rattle comes with more than a reputation. Having been asked to contribute, I take a closer look and from my standpoint I see, the world of orchestral music does not have many figures shining as brightly as the new, highly esteemed Sir Simon Rattle. His skill is outstanding, musical artistry is the essence, moving members of the orchestra and audiences similarly. It becomes very clear that, because of his deep understanding of music, an adventurous spirit, with a significant dedication to this art, his moving impact goes beyond the podium.

Complex compositions usually have a message beyond the obvious, seeming obscure. Simon has the desire, coupled with ability, to communicate the daunting into an accessible emotional journey for orchestra and audiences alike. A conductor with proven qualities as his can move the orchestra to unite in exploring new realms of music making. From the first gesture of the baton to its last motion, the commitment reveals a presence, commanding attention, allowing a profound moving, emotional experience. These are not just words of unfounded praise. I know, always, Simon has something worthwhile to say musically, and he will find a way, through commitment and dedication, to say it through music. A certain freshness even from classical masterpieces is evident since the routine performance does not exist.

So, I'm sure, even though I have not seen every performance from this maestro, but i know his integrity musically is unwavering, Simon commands the stage with an electric presence that elicits a new life in every note. His vast experience continues to motivate the power of ‘now’. Simons talents reach beyond solely interpretation. His sense of self respect feeds a vision unafraid. The orchestra’s repertoire will always be enriched and new generations of musicians are inspired to explore what used to be boundaries.

Every musician dreams to be in an environment where creativity flourishes, and artists from diverse backgrounds come together in a movement to create something truly extraordinary. This movement of the life of the orchestra can enjoy a transition from a new adagio progressing to an exhilarating presto.

To me, an observer, his belief in nurturing future generations, makes his leadership reach beyond the concert hall. He has invested time and energy as a mentor and the continual awareness that more young talent need to come forward. He is dedicated to education and outreach programmes, knowing the transformative power of music lives on and can become even more available to everyone.

I foresee a wonderful time unfolding where we are reminded of the beauty of music and its ability to soften boundaries and help unite us. With all his myriad talents – leadership, humour, commitment to youth education etc, Simon is a beacon of inspiration in the world of classical music. We can look forward to and honour his contributions to the orchestra and the impact he has had and continues to have on the musical community. Here’s to the talented Mr. Rattle, a true maestro whose legacy will resonate and continue to move us for generations to come.