An Evening with James Bond sets the tone for an exuberant year of music making with the North Shore’s premiere orchestra ensemble bringing the spy movie franchise’s catalogue of songs – and its classic John Barry theme – to vivid life.

And if further proof were needed that Diamonds Are Forever, the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra (WSO) will deliver three classical gems over the course of 2024 – a trio of famous ‘fifths’ made up of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Piano Concerto No. 5, and Shostakovich’s shattering Symphony No. 5.

Nicholas Milton leads the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. Photo supplied

Performed on 20 and 21 April in WSO’s Emperor program, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 will be partnered with music by Vaughan-Williams and Gustav Holst in a concert conducted by Luke Spicer and featuring rising star Australian pianist Winnie Su. The evening will also feature a world premiere of work by the winner of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s Young Composer Award for 2024 and the massed voices of Willoughby Symphony Choir.

Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 is the keystone work...