The Queensland Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2019 season, which will see pianist Paul Lewis in Queensland as Artist in Residence and an increased focus on music by Australian composers.

“One of the things that has always been in my programming, and has been reflected in my current season and the next one, is contrasts,” QSO Music Director Alondra de la Parra tells Limelight. “Mixing the beloved pieces that everybody wants to see and keeping them somehow in the mix, but always in contrast and juxtaposition with new works, with music of today, with pieces from a while back that are not as known as some others – so there’s always a mix of styles, nationalities and huge musical contrasts. I’ve always said that every person should come to the concert and absolutely love a piece and maybe be really challenged by another one.”

QSO, Alondra de la Parra, Queensland Symphony OrchestraAlondra de la Parra. Photo: supplied

“I want our audience to keep listening to what they love, but also get to know new sounds, new works and also grow our sense of what...