Profile

Founded in 1948, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is Tasmania's flagship performing arts organisation. A leader in music of the Classical and early Romantic periods, the TSO enjoys a high profile nationally and internationally through its world-wide broadcasts and award-winning recordings.

Resident in Hobart's purpose-built Federation Concert Hall, the TSO has a full complement of 47 musicians. German-born Sebastian Lang-Lessing has been the orchestra's Chief Conductor and Artistic Director since 2004. Declared a Tasmanian Icon in 1998, the TSO enjoys a high level of support in the Tasmanian community. Concert seasons are presented in Hobart and Launceston, and regular tours are made of Tasmanian regional centres. Since 2005, the TSO has performed annually at City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney. International touring has taken the orchestra to North and South America, Greece, Israel, South Korea, China, Indonesia and Japan.

Australian music is one of the orchestra's focal points. The Australian Music Program, which was founded in 2003, champions music by Australian composers through recordings, performances and commissions, and nurtures promising careers through the annual Australian Composers' School.

Mindful of its mission to be a source of pride for all Tasmanians, the TSO performs a wide variety of music. Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, Alfred Brendel, James Ehnes, Lisa Gasteen, Nigel Kennedy, Sara Macliver, Howard Shelley and Richard Tognetti are among the soloists who have appeared with the orchestra. Popular and jazz artists who have performed with the orchestra include Roberta Flack, Rhonda Burchmore, Kate Ceberano, James Morrison, Anthony Warlow and The Whitlams.