Name: Manchester Classical 2025 – Finale
Start: 2025-06-29T18:30:00
Location: The Bridgewater Hall

As the summer of 2025 unfolds, music enthusiasts are gifted with an array of harmonious celebrations that span continents and genres. From the tranquil corners of Halle, Germany, with the Handel Memorial Ceremony, to the vibrant streets of Manchester, UK, hosting a series of spectacular choral events, these gatherings capture the essence of artistic brilliance. Conductors and performers alike bring to life the works of musical legends, offering attendees a chance to delve into the soul of music, nature, and cultural heritage. Join us as we explore the symphony of events that define this musical season.

A Symphony of Summer: Exploring the Grand Celebrations of Music

The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra brings together a dazzling array of orchestral performances in 2025, showcasing the genius of composers like Poulenc, Beethoven, and Mahler. With renowned conductors and performers like Adam Hickox, Anna Lapwood, Elena Schwarz, and John Storgårds taking the stage, audiences are set for an unforgettable musical journey. These events, spanning from the evocative notes of Poulenc's Organ Concerto to the elemental power of Mahler's Symphony No. 3, promise to captivate music lovers across Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester.

BBC Philharmonic's 2025 Musical Odyssey: From Beethoven to Mahler

Dive into the symphonic world with a series of breathtaking musical events that spanned across Europe. From the solemn Ceremony at the Handel Memorial in Halle to the emotionally charged 'The Voice of Nature' in Manchester, music lovers experienced a diverse range of performances that celebrated the richness of chamber and choral music. The events, featuring renowned conductors and artists, offered audiences an unforgettable musical journey, concluding with the exuberant Manchester Classical 2025 Finale and an awe-inspiring Summer Concert at The Bridgewater Hall.

Harmonious Celebrations: A Journey Through Chamber and Choral Classics

In 2025, the BBC Philharmonic takes center stage with an extraordinary lineup of concerts that span a range of musical genres and stories. From Mahler's introspective symphonies to Shostakovich's operatic tragedies, and an innovative blend of classical and AI in Robert Laidlow's TECHNO-UTOPIA, audiences will experience a musical journey like no other. With performances at iconic venues such as The Bridgewater Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, these events promise to captivate and inspire all who attend.

A Symphony of Storytelling: BBC Philharmonic's Diverse 2025 Concerts

June and July of 2025 will be a remarkable period for music lovers across the UK, promising a symphonic extravaganza with events like Diana Ross's 'A Symphonic Celebration' and Manchester Classical 2025. These celebrations will feature renowned performers, orchestral brilliance, and an eclectic mix of genres ranging from soul and jazz to classical and choral. Prepare for a sonic treat as The Hallé collaborates with iconic artists and ensembles in a series of unforgettable performances, making this summer a notable landmark in the UK’s musical landscape.

A Melodic Journey: Highlights from UK's 2025 Symphonic and Choral Celebrations

From the enchanting retelling of Three Billy Goats Gruff with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to the vibrant performances of internationally-acclaimed artists, Manchester echoes with a symphony of diverse musical narratives. The city's venues host an array of extraordinary events, each weaving unique stories through music. Embrace this melodic journey as performers breathe life into classical pieces, explore modern compositions, and celebrate cultural legacies in an unforgettable showcase of talent and creativity.

Sonic Journeys: Unveiling Manchester's Musical Tapestry

Alpesh Chauhan

BBC Philharmonic

The Hallé

Chorus of English National Opera

Hallé Choir

A cellist of international renown, Jan Vogler is no stranger to either of Shostakovich’s cello concertos. His 2020 recording of the Second garnered critical praise for its thoughtful introspection and ‘flawless intonation’ (The Classic Review). Shostakovich’s formidable First, generally agreed to be one of the most difficult concerto works for the instrument, performed by Jan, is certainly not to be missed.

Beethoven’s Eroica

The Bridgewater Hall

Join us for a stroll down Broadway – a world where stories sing and feelings dance – for a spellbinding evening of unforgettable tunes, timeless favourites and absolute show-stoppers.

From Broadway, With Love

Unsuk Chin’s Le Chant des Enfants des Étoiles is an intensely atmospheric work which will take you on an exploration through the stars and the infinite reaches of space. Recently revised by the composer, this concert presents the exciting world premiere of this updated version.

The Planets

This concert celebrates Jonny Greenwood’s love of orchestral string writing. In Water, the warmth of the Hallé strings envelopes two flutes and an Indian tanpura on a journey of rippling colour.

The Hallé Presents: Jonny Greenwood

Organists Anna Lapwood and James McVinnie team up to take on this immense piece, written by Jonny Greenwood to commemorate and celebrate the unique legacy of organs in historic buildings.

The Hallé Presents: 605 Years of Reverb

Manchester Cathedral

Taras Bulba, based on the Nikolai Gogol novel of the same name, was written in the midst of World War One. It leads the listener through three key moments in the life of the Russian Cossack, including the death of each of his two sons (one at his own hand), and finally, his own capture and demise.

Rush Hour: Shostakovich’s Symphony No.1

Following the lively ‘Courtly Dances’ from Britten’s opera Gloriana, Norwegian trumpeter, Tine Thing Helseth takes to the platform to perform this new, exciting work, written especially for her. Musically illustrating the biblical role of the trumpet and celebrating its vast expressive possibilities, Nico Muhly’s Doom Painting leads us on a dramatic journey through this historic instrument’s various iterations: ceremonial object for rituals and celebrations alike; harbinger of Doomsday; and jubilant instrument of the psalms.

Walton’s First Symphony

Intended to be a test of both the soloist’s technical ability and their musicianship, the work overflows with cadenzas – short, often improvised passages of notes – which give the soloist ample opportunity for real virtuosic display. Viktoria Mullova, whose playing has been praised by critics and audiences alike for its immense agility and richness of tone, is sure to bring us an unforgettable performance.

Mullova Plays Brahms

Always a Hallé favourite, this celebratory performance offers each of the Hallé’s Youth Ensembles a chance in the spotlight. The youngest artists, in the Children’s Choir, illustrate their experiences through movement and music, members of the Youth Training Choir show how developing voices can work together and the oldest members, in the Youth Choir and Youth Orchestra, offer us a glimpse of the musicians of the future.

Hallé Youth Ensembles Celebration

Put through their paces the previous week, these shortlisted, emerging artists have been selected from hundreds of applicants around the world. To showcase their astonishing abilities, each finalist will conduct Bernstein’s Candide Overture before tackling one of these popular symphonic works:

Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition 2026 Final

Through its use of the chorus and vocal soloists as an integral part of its texture, Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony was a groundbreaking work in the symphonic and choral repertoire. Crafted around the poetic words of Walt Whitman, the work vividly and poignantly illustrates the journey of the human soul, through the metaphor of intrepid sailors weighing the anchor and exploring the ocean wide.

A Sea Symphony

Legendary film composer, John Williams’ music has inspired and captivated audiences worldwide for decades: from the iconic, spine-tingling themes of Star Wars and Jurassic Park to the enchanting melodies of Harry Potter and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and many more.

The Best of John Williams

Musicians from Manchester’s ensembles assemble under the baton of Alpesh Chauhan for a spectacular concert of fanfares and flourishes to celebrate the finale of a spectacular weekend of music.

Manchester Classical 2025 – Finale

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