Sounds wonderful ...

Globe arts critic Peter Grant joined a special fanfare for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's truly international, exciting and diverse new season in the company of chief conductor Vasily Petrenko.

THE Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's 2019-2020 season, the 14th under the baton of chief conductor Vasily Petrenko and the Orchestra's 179th season since its founding in 1840, features something for everyone.

Petrenko said, with a smile, that he had great expectations of the forthcoming programme.

A truly inspiring and all encompassing treat for classical music lovers and fans of the Philharmonic Hall.

The new season is an invitation to celebrate compelling music from right across the repertoire.

A decade on from his magnificent Mahler cycle 2009-2011 seasons, Petrenko returns to one of his own favourite composer's symphonies, presenting all nine in chronological order across 2020.

To complement the Mahler symphony cycle a number of accompanying events will offer an insight into Mahler's life - his music and passions.

Petrenko opens the 2019-2020 season with two concerts featuring the world premiere of Dani Howard's Coalescence and Berloz's Symphonie Fantastique and Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto performed by the Japaenese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujji.

Artists in residence include: Sheku Kanneh Mason (Cello) and Liverpool-born Jennifer Johnson (Mezzo Soprano).

Premieres and commissions of new music from composers include: Dani Howard, Grace Evangeline Mason, Roberto Sierra, Arturo Marquez, Kenneth Hesketh, Carmel Smickersgill and Victoria Borisova-Ollas.

Chief conductor Petrenko said: "We're welcoming international guest artists to Liverpool from every musical genre, providing opportunities to nurture the next generation of young talent and bringing the thrill of live music to people of all ages.

"We believe passionately that orchestral music is a living! contemporary and thrilling art form and I look forward to welcoming audiences to enjoy our concerts."

There are also films with live music and concerts for all the family.

Screenings of films with live orchestral accompaniment are hugely popular and this season sees some Hollywood classics: The Wizard of Oz, Ghostbusters and The Gruffalo franchise.

There is also a wide ranging celebration marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth.

And special tributes to The Beatles and Elton John ... with strings attached.

For full concert listings see

www.liverpoolphil.com/season-1920