“I was so transfixed I almost forgot to play!”
![ACO 2025 Season](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/aco-2025-hero_16x9.png?rev=1ef21eda97ab4c83bf245e182431546c&h=900&w=1600&la=en&hash=499BDE6D0B6F0AFA5C744A65EB0257B4)
Fifty years in the making, our 2025 National Concert Season pays homage to the past while embracing a bold and ambitious vision for the future.
As we excitedly look forward to sharing the new season with you all, then, we are also looking back nostalgically at the past 50 years of ACO history -- including that of the Orchestra's individual musicians.
We love hearing their stories from the very heart of the Orchestra – from their favourite concerts, to unforgettable tour experiences. around the world. We're delighted to share some with you here.
What's your favourite ACO memory?
![Helena R](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/2025-helena-2.png?rev=a54e1486350746b385b1178ed4e303ad&h=900&w=1600&la=en&hash=68824A056ED6958CFC5011985304EA43)
![Satu Vanksa](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/2025-satu-2.png?rev=cfc47c322322443a966be9890c559d59&h=900&w=1600&la=en&hash=315899E8ECCE85A1F4671B0A3BB6789A)
“The Goldberg Variations we did in 2018”
Satu Vänskä, ACO Principal Violin
![Ike See](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/2025-ike-2.png?rev=170c2b2c72ee4ab9881ca68da9328ef0&h=900&w=1600&la=en&hash=1B4FD6778EED88B979443A41CD206C7C)
“I had never heard that repertoire played with such verve, ferocity, and delicacy”
Ike See, ACO Violin
![Ilya Isakovich](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/2025-ilya-2.png?rev=687c5ff02f1e4391bb2cbd5e09909595&h=900&w=1600&la=en&hash=8249964BEC2E5B1E25A005D10F97C7F7)
“The excitement was palpable”
Ilya Isakovich, ACO Violin
![Liisa Pallandi](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/2025-liisa-2.png?rev=67bd17267d70492ba93ac53586d46ae8&h=900&w=1600&la=en&hash=DEB634874F7774201DC7109F68CBB2A3)
“Performing 'The Reef' under the stars”
Liisa Pallandi, ACO Violin
![Timo-Veikko Valve](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/2025-tipi-2.png?rev=c80f1936f3aa40bda2feac174a4d2768&h=900&w=1600&la=en&hash=17EBC192205531FF647F1570A8B9C3EF)
“Our first ever concert back home in Finland”
Timo-Veikko Valve, ACO Principal Cello
![Melissa Barnard](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/2025-melissa-2.png?rev=49f2d35f2b5e414c86b5ea3416236459&h=900&w=1600&la=en&hash=40A9FB57C99880AB28048DD84DD12603)
“We’re lucky to play such a variety of genres”
Melissa Barnard, ACO Cello
![Julian Thompson](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/2025-julian-2.png?rev=9756da0982f343c0b32817b2b08fc08d&h=900&w=1600&la=en&hash=15667852FD60E0C9FAAD87A60A9495EE)
“A motley crew of surfers, farmers, film makers and musos”
Julian Thompson, ACO Cello
![Australian Chamber Orchestra performs 'The Reef'](https://www.aco.com.au/-/media/the-reef_ed-sloane-photo_satu.jpg?rev=675a22782fba45388af782cc1d3a9feb&h=800&w=1200&la=en&hash=D20A2C2BCAA36DE5EAECE91A0512CB66)
Explore the ACO 2025 Season. Full-season Subscriptions & Flexi-subscriptions are on sale now.