26 August 2025 — The program reveals classical music has always been the heartbeat of musical innovation, marrying masterful tradition with artistic evolution.
Melbourne Recital Centre (MRC) is inviting audiences to experience a bold new chapter in classical music programming with its 2026 season, ‘Heritage to Horizon’. The program brings together seasoned travellers and newer voices alike for an expanded appreciation of classical music and all it encompasses.
Featuring world-class artists such as Bryce Dessner with musicians from Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Brodsky Quartet & William Barton, Isata Kanneh-Mason and Anna Meredith, ‘Heritage to Horizon’ is a culmination of the most exciting and innovative global artists from across the classical music landscape.
Following the appointment of new Director of Programming, Iain Grandage AM, and with artistic contributions from guest curator Matthew Hoy, the 2026 season builds on foundations set by former director Marshall McGuire and leads with a strong focus on artistic quality, cultural connection and musical discovery.
The result is an international season that redefines what classical can be, appealing to seasoned concertgoers and curious newcomers alike. From canonical masterpieces to bold new reimaginings, ‘Heritage to Horizon’ is a journey across continents and centuries, offering diverse global perspectives and styles. For 2026, MRC specifically curated artists who bridge masterful tradition with contemporary relevance, embodying the notion that the future is classical.
Program highlights include the renowned Brodsky Quartet joining forces with yidaki maestro William Barton in February 2026 for a cross-cultural performance, both ancient yet contemporary, that responds to the bushfire crisis in Australia. In March, Scottish composer and electronic music visionary Anna Meredith reimagines Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with a 21st-century lens in a long-awaited performance of ANNO, weaving her signature electronic language throughout the orchestral score in an aurally immersive experience. Bryce Dessner of The National pairs with musicians from Sydney Symphony Orchestra to further expand the definition of classical – a September performance where pop culture meets chamber music. Acclaimed British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason makes her long-awaited MRC debut in October, bringing her artistry and authentic expressive depth to Melbourne audiences.
“The diverse programming reflects how classical music is reaching more varied communities and creating new ways for people to engage with it,” says Grandage.
Melbourne Recital Centre CEO, Sanda Willis adds, “We’re not simply programming a season at Melbourne Recital Centre – we’re charting classical music’s evolution with our audiences. ‘Heritage to Horizon’ embodies our belief that the future belongs to artists who honour tradition while speaking to today’s world. This is how we create lasting impact: by making space for voices that matter.”
