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Dancing chickens, luminous skulls, a witch’s hut… sounds spectacular? It’s amazing what you can achieve with a head full of stories, an ear for musical colour, and a few shots of vodka! In the opening concert of our new season, guest conductor Long Yu – China’s pre-eminent living conductor – opens up a veritable musical picture book, and whether it’s a radiant vision of a Russian dawn or Mussorgsky’s fantastic musical art gallery, you’re guaranteed terrific tunes in fabulous colours in Pictures at an Exhibition. As for the Serenade: perhaps only Leonard Bernstein could have taken an Ancient Greek meditation on love and transformed it into a big-hearted (and delightfully quirky) violin concerto. The amazing Esther Yoo is our soloist – critics have praised her ‘freedom, invention and glorious sound’. You’re about to hear why.

A sparkling programme filled with timeless American classics, from the captivating sounds of Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man to John Williams’ Olympic Fanfare and Theme. Originally composed for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, our performance will celebrate its 40th anniversary and coincide with the Games in Paris this year. Plus Gershwin’s jazz-inspired Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris, as well as music from the much-loved musical West Side Story.

The London Choral Sinfonia brings an evening of 20th Century performance to launch their 2024-5 season of music. Commissioned to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, The ‘Symphony of Psalms was written whilst Igor Stravinsky was in his neoclassical period. The text of three Psalms (39,4 and 150) and influences by composers including Bach create this intriguing piece. The three movement ‘Chichester Psalms’ saw Leonard Bernstein choose texts from a number of psalms to create tuneful, tonal contemporary piece, first performed in 1965. A stunning evening of music not to be missed.

**Christmas Swing: Gershwin, Bernstein, and Tchaikovsky with the London Symphony Orchestra** Join us for a festive evening that promises to swing you into the holiday spirit with the London Symphony Orchestra's "Christmas Swing: Gershwin, Bernstein, and Tchaikovsky." This special concert, under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano and featuring the talented Frank Dupree on piano, will take place at the Barbican on Wednesday, 18 December 2024, at 7pm. **Program Highlights:** - **George Gershwin:** Overture to Girl Crazy (7 mins) - **Leonard Bernstein arr. Lukas Foss:** Prelude, Fugue and Riffs (9 mins) - **Nikolai Kapustin:** Piano Concerto No. 4 (23 mins) - **Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn arr. Jeff Tyzik:** The Nutcracker Suite (17 mins) - **Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky:** Selections from The Nutcracker (15 mins) - **Leroy Anderson:** Sleigh Ride (3 mins) **Performers:** - **Conductor:** Sir Antonio Pappano - **Piano:** Frank Dupree - **Clarinet:** Sérgio Pires - **Orchestra:** London Symphony Orchestra The concert will conclude at approximately 8:45 pm, including a 20-minute interval. The performance will be repeated on 19 December. **Ticket Information:** Tickets are available at various price points, starting from £18 to £70, with a £4 booking fee per online/phone transaction. Special discounts are available, including Wildcards for guaranteed entry with seat allocation on the day, Multibuy Discounts of up to 40%, and special rates for groups, students, and 18s-and-under. **About the Concert:** This concert blends classical music with jazz, featuring some of Christmas's most beloved tunes alongside a riotous ride with Kapustin, Gershwin’s most swinging tunes, and Bernstein at his exuberant best. The LSO and Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, along with the evening's soloists, promise an unforgettable night that bridges the gap between classical form and jazz club energy. **Booking Your Tickets:** - **Online:** lso.co.uk or barbican.org.uk - **By Phone:** +44 20 7870 2500 (Monday to Friday, 12:00-5:30 pm) - **In Person:** at the Barbican Centre (no booking fee) For more information on refunds, exchanges, and discounts, please visit the LSO or Barbican websites. Don't miss this jazzy, festive celebration that's sure to delight audiences and get everyone in the holiday spirit. Book your tickets now for a magical evening with the London Symphony Orchestra!

Kapustin’s Fourth Piano Concerto conjures up a great night at a jazz club, with a wild piano solo and a drum-kit. Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s arrangements give bring the same vibe to Tchaikovsky the same vibe, soft-shoe shuffling through The Nutcracker. Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride is a perfect, old-school Christmas finale to take us into the festive season.

Immerse yourself in the festive spirit with the London Symphony Orchestra's "Christmas Swing: Gershwin, Bernstein and Tchaikovsky" concert, a dazzling evening that blends classical music with the infectious rhythms of jazz. Under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano and featuring the virtuosic Frank Dupree on piano, this concert promises to be an unforgettable highlight of the holiday season. Scheduled for Thursday, 19 December 2024, at the iconic Barbican, the performance kicks off at 7pm and will conclude around 8:45pm, including a 20-minute interval. The program is a vibrant celebration of music that crosses genres and eras, starting with George Gershwin's "Overture: Girl Crazy" and moving through Leonard Bernstein's "Prelude, Fugue and Riffs," arranged by Lukas Foss. Nikolai Kapustin's "Piano Concerto No. 4" adds a contemporary jazz twist, leading into a unique rendition of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite," arranged by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn and Jeff Tyzik, before concluding with Leroy Anderson's festive "Sleigh Ride." The London Symphony Orchestra, along with Sir Antonio Pappano, Frank Dupree, and Sérgio Pires on clarinet, will guide the audience through a musical journey that celebrates the joy and playfulness of the holiday season. This concert is not only a testament to the versatility and talent of the performers but also a tribute to the enduring appeal of Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, and Bernstein's music, reimagined through the lens of jazz and swing. Tickets are available in a range of prices to suit all budgets, with discounts available for multiple bookings, young people, students, and groups. For those looking for a spontaneous night out, limited Wildcard tickets offer guaranteed entry with seat allocation on the day of the concert. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the London Symphony Orchestra as they explore the intersection of classical music and jazz in a festive setting. Book your tickets now for a night of exhilarating performances that promise to swing you into the Christmas spirit.

Experience the profound intensity and emotional depth of classical music with the London Symphony Orchestra's upcoming concert, "Walker, Bernstein and Walton 1." This exceptional performance, under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano and featuring the virtuosic Janine Jansen on violin, promises an unforgettable evening at the prestigious Barbican on Thursday, 6th February 2025, starting at 7pm. The concert will showcase a trio of compelling works, beginning with George Walker's "Sinfonia No 5, Visions," a piece that reflects on a harrowing act of racial violence through its powerful outbursts and restless energy. Following this, Leonard Bernstein's "Serenade" delves into philosophical musings on love, inspired by ancient Greek literature, offering a lively and learned dialogue for violin and orchestra. The evening will culminate with William Walton's "Symphony No 1," a work that navigates through personal strife to emerge in a triumphant and celebratory finale. Sir Antonio Pappano, renowned for his dynamic and insightful interpretations, leads the London Symphony Orchestra through these intensely dramatic works. Janine Jansen's radiant violin playing will illuminate Bernstein's passionate music, making this concert a highlight of the LSO's 2024/25 season. The performance is scheduled to conclude at approximately 9:05 pm, including a 20-minute interval. Tickets are available in a range of prices to suit all budgets, with additional booking discounts and special rates for groups, students, and young people. For those looking to make the most of their booking, Wildcard tickets offer a unique opportunity for guaranteed entry with seat allocation on the day of the concert. Don't miss this chance to immerse yourself in the powerful expressions of love, outrage, and triumph through the music of Walker, Bernstein, and Walton, performed by one of the world's leading orchestras and celebrated soloists. Book your tickets now for an evening of unforgettable musical experiences.

Walker’s Sinfonia No 5, 'Visions' was his final work, composed when he was 96. It was written in response to a shocking act of racial violence. The composer’s outrage can be heard in its steely outbursts, restless energy, and urgent, jagged harmonies.