The rhapsodic sounds of Spain as heard by Debussy and a world premiere from an Australian composer inspired by Richard Gill.

Debussy's First Rhapsody for clarinet and orchestra is a miniature masterpiece, languid and sultry - imagine the Spain of the Moors as this French master looks abroad for inspiation. His Ibéria is another stirring evocation of Spain - this time a riot of colour with castanets, tambourines and strummed violins.

The highlight is a brand new work by Australian Barry Conyngham, commissioned for our 80th anniversary season. This is his first symphony and he blames the delay on the composers who've influenced him: there are no symphonies by Takemitsu and Sculthorpe, no symphonies by Bartók, Ravel...or Debussy.

Conyngham's inspiration has been Richard Gill, the symphony's dedicatee, and this will be music that celebrates the struggle, the joy and the sheer excitement of learning.