T okyo Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert featuring two symphonies by Austrian composer Franz Schubert along with Alban Berg's 1935 "Violin Concerto" on Sept. 26 and 27.

Led by Dutch conductor Hubert Soudant, the orchestra's music director since 2004, TSO is tackling "Schubert Zyklus," their project for the 2008/09 season, which opened last April. In the project, the TSO is exploring the world of the Austrian Romantic composer, whom Soudant considers "very unique."

Schubert (1797-1828) created numerous works that inspired many European composers in the 19th century, although his genius never brought him great success during his lifetime. In fact, many of his symphonies were not found until after his death.

At concerts throughout the year, TSO performs seven symphonies, incidental music from the play "Rosamunde, Princess of Cyprus" and various of Schubert's overtures.

Buoyed by favorable reviews of their concerts since April, the orchestra will perform two light symphonies — No. 5 and No. 6 for the upcoming concert in September, as well as "Violin Concerto" by the 20th-century Austrian composer Alban Berg, which was a tribute to Manon, the young deceased daughter of architect Walter Gropius and Alma Schindler, widow of composer Gustav Mahler.

Arabella Miho Steinbacher, a talented young German violinist, will feature as a soloist for the concerto.

The concerts will take place Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall in Kawasaki, which is the orchestra's current home; and on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at Suntory Hall in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

TSO's latest CD, recorded live at a concert held in May and featuring Schubert's symphonies No. 1 and No. 4, will be on sale at both venues.

Tickets are ¥3,000 to ¥7,000 and are available at Tokyo Symphony Ticket Center. For more information, call (044) 520-1511 or visit www.tokyosymphony.com/top-E.html

(Chiho Iuchi)