The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

In Friday’s (1/31) Philadelphia Inquirer, Peter Dobrin writes, “World premieres from composers Tyshawn Sorey and John Adams, a continued emphasis on traditionally underrepresented artists, and a long list of beloved classics by Mahler, Brahms, and Beethoven are all part of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s plans for 2025-26. The new season, announced Friday, celebrates the orchestra’s 125th, and aims to spotlight the ensemble’s history as a conduit of music from Europe to the U.S. The year will be dotted with works [the orchestra] introduced to America … The extent of the works the Philadelphians premiered is surprising even to some steeped in its history…. Among the soloists to be featured next season: 20-year-old South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim … established stars like pianists Hélène Grimaud and Emanuel Ax and cellist Yo-Yo Ma; and the orchestra’s own principal players …Aaron Diehl is soloist in the world premiere of Sorey’s new Piano Concerto, which was commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra…. Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the orchestra’s music and artistic director, will be on the podium for at least 13 weeks of concerts during the course of the season … Principal guest conductor Marin Alsop will lead three subscription weeks…. Among the works to be presented under the Marian Anderson Artistic Initiative umbrella next season are [works by] William Grant … Julius Eastman … and the world premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ Symphony No. 5 (‘Liberty’).”