Despite the recent calamitous events in Japan and increasing radiation fears in Tokyo following last Friday’s earthquake and tsunami, the Sydney Symphony has confirmed its Asian tour will go forward as planned.

Ashkenazy and the SSO are set to perform nine concerts during its 11-day November tour encompassing the Japanese cities of Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nagoya and Nishinomiya and the South Korean capital of Seoul. The orchestra’s first visit to Korea celebrates the 2011 Year of Friendship between Australia and Korea .

“I look forward to sharing the artistry of the Sydney Symphony musicians with audiences in Japan and Korea,” said Ashkenazy, principal conductor and artistic advisor of the orchestra since 2009.

“I have visited both countries on many occasions, as both a conductor and pianist, and I am always impressed by the way the audiences embrace serious music and hold it in such high esteem.

“I am especially delighted that the orchestra will be joined on tour by some truly outstanding soloists – Japanese violinist Sayaka Shoji, a truly remarkable pianist Evgeny Kissin, and a dear friend, cellist Mischa Maisky,” he added.

News has filtered in from Japan that Manchester’s BBC Philharmonic...