News

Ravel Festival at The Hedberg

2 December 2025.

In March, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra presents a week-long Ravel Festival in Tasmania, celebrating the sound world of French composer Maurice Ravel.

Acclaimed French pianist Cédric Tiberghien joins the TSO across orchestral, chamber and solo programs in Hobart.

Festival program

Orchestral concerts – Federation Concert Hall

Eivind Aadland wearing glasses and a blue shirt stands in the foreground, facing the camera. Behind them, a black-and-white image of a Eivind mid-motion with a baton is visible against a dark, blurred background, creating a strong visual contrast.
Eivind Conducts Mahler’s Titan

Wednesday 18 March, 7.30pm

Cédric Tiberghien appears in our first Federation Concert Hall Series concert of the year.

See Concert
Image
Ravel, Mahler and Beethoven

Wednesday 25 March, 7.30pm

Tiberghien returns with the TSO for a second orchestral program, again featuring the music of Ravel.

See Concert
At The Hedberg – piano recital and chamber music
A person playing a grand piano, viewed from the front with focus on their upper body and hands. The blurred background and lighting highlight the individual's concentration and create a sense of depth.
Cédric Tiberghien In Recital

Saturday 21 March, 7.30pm

This recital celebrates the brilliance of French piano music including Ravel’s sparkling Le Tombeau de Couperin and works by Debussy, Rameau and Couperin.

See Concert
Image
Parisian Twilight

Saturday 21 March, 2pm

TSO string players join pianist Karen Smithies for Debussy’s sonatas for cello and violin with piano. We end with Ravel’s String Quartet in F major.

See Concert
Double exposure image of musicians playing cellos, featuring close-up views of hands and instruments. The composition is enhanced by vibrant orange and red hues, creating a dynamic and intense visual effect that conveys movement and energy.
The Art of Lightness

Sunday 22 Mar, 11am

An exquisite morning of music by Ravel and Debussy, featuring TSO winds and strings, as well as harp and piano.

See Concert
Talks and Q&A events
A black and white photograph of Maurice Ravel
Eivind Conducts Mahler’s Titan

Saturday 21 March

A public talk on Maurice Ravel, exploring his life, music and legacy.

Details to be announced soon.

Image
Ravel, Mahler and Beethoven

Sunday 22 March

Eivind Aadland and musicians discuss Ravel’s music, followed by an audience Q&A.

Details to be announced soon.

Who was Maurice Ravel?

Joseph Maurice Ravel (1875 – 1937) was a composer, pianist and conductor. He enjoyed international acclaim in the 1920s and 1930s and was a contemporary of fellow French master, Claude Debussy (1862 – 1918).

‘The most perfect of Swiss clockmakers’ is how Russian composer and conductor Igor Stravinsky (1882 – 1971) famously described Ravel.

TSO Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Eivind Aadland also speaks of the perfection in Ravel’s music:

‘Ravel has a relatively small output, but all of his works are gems – they’re all perfect!’ says Eivind.

‘He did not compose quickly, but the results feel utterly natural, as if the music could only ever be that way.’

Join us for the Ravel Festival at The Hedberg and Federation Concert Hall as the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra brings these perfect creations to life.

Ravel Festival at The Hedberg.

Explore all events in the Ravel Festival from 18-25 March 2026. 

See Events

Get TSO News

Be the first to hear about news, concerts and more! Join our mailing list today.

Sign Up