Next year ABC Classic will celebrates 50 years of broadcasting with a year-long program of concerts, special broadcasts, new programs and initiatives.
Award-winning pianist, and co-host of the hit ABC TV program The Piano, Andrea Lam and journalist, presenter, and classical music enthusiast Leigh Sales are to join the ABC Classic lineup. Andrea will present The Art of the Piano on Sunday evenings, while Leigh will host a new Saturday program during the anniversary months.
Andrea Lam and Guy Sebastian at the recent ABC Upfronts
The 50th celebrations begin on Saturday January 24 which is the anniversary of ABC Classic’s first broadcast. The day will feature a curated retrospective of the network’s history, including archival recordings, ‘best of’ live concerts, tributes from past and present presenters, listener stories, and memorable moments.
Also across 2026 there will be:
• A very special edition of the ABC Classic 100 countdown
• The much-anticipated return of the ABC Young Performers Awards (YPAs) supported by a new Young Performers program throughout the year
• 50 Classical Icons – a weekly program featuring iconic classical musicians who have shaped the genre
• A landmark birthday concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, broadcast live
• And, a new music commissioning scheme to champion a wider spectrum of Australian composers, from emerging voices to established figures
Returning next year are shows presented by Megan Burslem, Russell Torrance, Genevieve Lang, Vanessa Hughes and Ed Le Brocq.
Weekday Evening Highlights:
• Monday-Thursday at 6pm – Unwind: Greta Bradman hosts a new program to ease listeners into the evening.
• Monday at 7pm – Young Performers with Nina Korbe
• Tuesday at 7pm – 50 Classical Icons with Mairi Nicolson
• Wednesday at 7pm – Bandstand: Lucas Burns celebrates brass and wind repertoire.
• Thursday at 7pm – Passenger: Stéphanie Kabanyana Kanyandekwe takes listeners on musical journeys across global destinations.
• Monday-Friday at 8pm – Evening Concert: Joel Carnegie presents the greatest live concerts from Australia and abroad.
Weekend Highlights
• Saturday 10am: Alice Keath hosts a new live program of legendary recordings alongside eclectic new discoveries.
• Saturday 3pm: Leigh Sales presents her new program during the anniversary months.
• Saturday from 8pm: the destination for opera lovers with The Opera Show and Saturday Night at the Opera, both hosted by Mairi Nicolson.
• Sunday 6pm: Australia Plays celebrates Australian performers, compositions and features exclusive live studio sessions.
• Sunday 9pm: Andrea Lam presents The Art of the Piano.
Also in 2026, for the first time in the station’s history, listeners will hear performances from every state and territory. More than 200 concerts – from symphony halls to intimate chamber venues, opera stages to regional festivals – will be recorded, including twice as many opera productions. New works by both emerging and established Australian composers will be commissioned throughout the year, as ABC Classic continues to support and shape the future of classical music in Australia.
Head of ABC Classic and ABC Jazz, Philip Noyce, said:
“It’s an honour to be part of ABC Classic at such a significant moment in our history. As we celebrate 50 years of broadcasting, we’re proud to reflect on the legacy of this iconic network while looking ahead to its future. I’m delighted that the ABC Young Performers Awards are returning in 2026, providing an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate outstanding young musicians – with every note broadcast exclusively on ABC Classic.
It’s going to be a huge year for us, and I’m excited to work with our talented team to continue delivering exceptional classical music experiences to audiences nationwide.”
The 2026 ABC Classic schedule can be found here: www.abc.net.au/listen/classic
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