The Orchestra will take to the Mainstage at FirstOntario Concert Hall with Schubert & Tchaikovsky, a Romantic program that includes the master works of Bruch and Dvořák as well, on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 7:30PM. Music Director James Kahane, who just announced his 3-year commitment to the organization, will conduct the Orchestra and feature Canadian cellist Rachel Mercer as the soloist for two stunning pieces.
Franz Schubert teaches us that what is left unsaid can be just as powerful as what is spoken, through Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished.” With its soaring lyricism, Schubert’s piece creates a mysterious atmosphere that echoes Hamilton Phil’s 26-27 Season’s elemental theme, inviting audiences into a musical journey of intrigue and discovery. Following is Mercer’s performance in Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei and Antonín Dvořák’s Silent Woods. Mercer’s performance will bring unique flavouring to each piece, adding another layer of depth to an already bold lineup of music.
“Cello is the most idiomatic instrument to express longing and sorrow, with its natural warm tone that allows it to express these feelings in all their complexity and contradiction,” says Music Director, James Kahane. “It brings these distinct characteristics to two works that strive to be melancholic without being tearful.”
The concert culminates with the radiant energy of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence for strings. When asked why he chose to program this piece, Kahane says, “It’s my favourite work by Tchaikovsky: a remarkable piece that pushes the boundaries of classical music writing in a way that is extraordinary, while having a richness and vividness of contrasting moods and emotions that is equally remarkable.” He continues, “it’s very challenging to play! But Hamilton Phil is perfectly capable of tackling this kind of challenge, and I think it will be quite a spectacle.”
Tickets on sale now at hpo.org
Schubert & Tchaikovsky
November 14, 2026, 7:30PM
FirstOntario Concert Hall (1 Summers Ln, Hamilton)
About the Hamilton Phil: For more than 140 years, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has been a pillar of our city’s arts and culture scene with a mission to connect our community through inspiring orchestral music and engaging experiences. Hamilton Phil presents dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the Hamilton Phil has proudly contributed to shaping Hamilton’s cultural landscape.
Hamilton Phil Media Contact:
Megan Nourse
Marketing & Strategic Initiatives Manager
289-216-8273
mnourse@hpo.org