The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra has unveiled details of its next season – the last with Gianandrea Noseda at the helm.

The Italian conductor announced last week that he was stepping down as chief conductor of the Manchester-based orchestra. He took up the role in 2002, beginning with Mahler’s mighty Symphony No 8.

After a Mahler-rich season this year (to mark the composer’s anniversary, the three Manchester orchestras collaborated on a cycle of his symphonies and Das Lied von der Erde) the focus will be on other composers who have featured heavily during Noseda’s tenure, including Beethoven (the free downloadable cycle of whose symphonies was something of a cause célèbre), Rachmaninov, Liszt and Strauss. He will conclude his tenure with Verdi's Otello, after which he will hold the title of conductor laureate.

Richard Wigley, the BBC Philharmonic’s general manager, said of Noseda’s tenure: "Gianandrea has forged a unique partnership with the BBC Philharmonic…his legacy of acclaimed recordings for Chandos, wonderful Proms and countless special performances here in Manchester are testament to his outstanding achievements". Noseda continues as music director of Teatro Regio, Turin.

The orchestra's 2010-11 season will also feature performances by chief guest conductor Vassily Sinaisky, composer/conductor HK Gruber, former principal conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier, and Günther Herbig.

Martin Cullingford