Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Manfred Honeck, will embark on a three-week 2026 European Tour, performing 13 concerts across six countries and nine cities, including two performances at the Lucerne Festival; Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg; the Chopin and His Europe Festival in Warsaw; and as the only American orchestra at the prestigious Salzburg Festival.
In its 45th international tour, August 26 to September 10, 2026, “the PSO continues a long, acclaimed tradition of international touring, serving as a proud cultural ambassador for Pittsburgh while appearing on Europe’s prominent stages,” the announcement said.
(Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)
Joined for much of the tour by pianist Alexandre Kantorow and violinist Augustin Hadelich, the PSO will perform Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “New World,” and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, for which the orchestra won two 2018 Grammy Awards, as well as works by John Adams, Carlos Simon, Schulhoff, Barber, Penderecki and Szymanowski.
The orchestra is also joined by Anne-Sophie Mutter for two concerts as she celebrates her 50th anniversary of performing, beginning with her debut at Lucerne in 1976 at the age of 13. In Warsaw, Bruce Liu joins the orchestra for a performance at the Chopin and His Europe Festival as former winner of the prestigious Chopin Competition.
In early July, the orchestra will release an album featuring two works included on the tour, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 and Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances on the Reference Recordings label.
“When we tour, we carry the unique sound and spirit of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra onto the world stage,” Honeck said in a statement. “What I value most is the opportunity to present the orchestra’s artistry, precision, and expressive depth at Europe’s most inspiring venues. This upcoming tour promises to be among our finest on the continent, and we look forward to reconnecting with audiences and sharing performances that are as powerful as they are deeply personal.”
“International touring is one of the most powerful ways we share the essence of Pittsburgh with the world,” said PSO President and CEO Melia Tourangeau. “The PSO is consistently invited to the most prestigious venues and festivals as a testament to our enduring legacy and continuing excellence. We are proud to serve as Pittsburgh’s cultural ambassador and to bring our city’s creativity and passion to European audiences.”
“The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, together with two of the portrait artists of our season, Alexandre Kantorow and Augustin Hadelich, under the direction of Manfred Honeck, will create the festive opening of the 114th season at the Wiener Konzerthaus,” said Matthias Naske, CEO & Artistic Director of Wiener Konzerthaus. “The unique musicianship of the members of this orchestra ensures that this evening is a special moment in the concert life of Vienna.”
A limited Patron Tour experience will be offered in conjunction with the 2026 European Tour. Patrons can contact the Development department at pso_development@pittsburghsymphony.org for more information. The PSO’s international touring is made possible, in part, by the Hillman Endowment for International Performances.
and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. (Image: Andrea-Humer)
2026 PSO EUROPEAN FESTIVALS TOUR
August 26: Kurhaus Meran, Merano, Italy
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Schulhoff (arr. Honeck/Ille): Five Pieces
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
_________________________________________
August 27: Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg (Austria)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Schulhoff (arr. Honeck/Ille): Five Pieces
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
_________________________________________
August 29: National Philharmonic, Warsaw (Poland)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Bruce Liu, piano
Szymanowski: Concert Overture
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Dvořák, Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”
_________________________________________
August 30: National Philharmonic, Warsaw (Poland)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
_________________________________________
September 1: Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg (Germany)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
_________________________________________
September 2: Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg (Germany)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Carlos Simon: Four Black American Dances
Barber: Violin Concerto
Dvořák, Symphony No. 9, “From the New World” _________________________________________
September 3: Kultur & Kongresszentrum, Lucerne (Switzerland)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
_________________________________________
September 4: Kultur & Kongresszentrum, Lucerne (Switzerland)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Penderecki: Metamorphosen, Violin Concerto No. 2
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”
_________________________________________
September 6: Cologne Philharmonie, Cologne (Germany)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Penderecki: Metamorphosen, Violin Concerto No. 2
Dvořák, Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”
_________________________________________
September 7: Concertgebouw, Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Carlos Simon: Four Black American Dances
Barber: Violin Concerto
Dvořák, Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”
_________________________________________
September 8: Philharmonie, Essen (Germany)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Alexandre Kantorow, piano
John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Dvořák, Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”
_________________________________________
September 9: Vienna Konzerthaus, Vienna (Austria)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Barber: Violin Concerto
Dvořák, Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”
_________________________________________
September 10: Vienna Konzerthaus, Vienna (Austria)
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Source: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
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