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

Jeannette Sorrell’s approach to Handel’s Messiah has been universally praised for its refreshingly unique interpretation. In this concert, we’ll explore its dramatic potential to full effect – after all, an oratorio is effectively an opera, just without the staging and costumes – and Sorrell takes the view that a more theatrical production is precisely what Handel intended.

Messiah

The Bridgewater Hall

As part of his project to write ‘six sonatas for diverse instruments’, Debussy wrote the Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp in 1915, immediately creating a new classic instrumental combination. The programme also includes Ibert’s homage to the Debussy trio and Ravel’s Sonatine, skilfully arranged for the same forces.

Chamber Series: Debussy Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp

Hallé St Peter's

With a little help from conductor Euan Shields, your fantastic orchestra, and the brilliant Hallé Youth Training Choir, we’ll explore Christmas music, old and new. Together, we’ll jingle all the way through festive favourites including famous TV and film music…and of course there’ll be some carols and sing-alongs so everyone can join in!

Hallé Christmas Family Concert: Sleigh Ride Adventure

Under the baton of Euan Shields, Director of the Hallé Youth Orchestra and winner of the 2023 Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition, the younger generation of our Hallé family open this concert with Awakening. A musical tapestry, it weaves together the rich and historical sound world of Wales and the vibrant energy of New York City; the two places Katie Jenkins has called home. Commissioned by the Juilliard School for the Juilliard Orchestra’s opening concert of 2024/25, this piece serves as a celebration of the excitement and anticipation of new beginnings.

Hallé Youth Orchestra

Deck the halls and get ready for the most wonderful time of the year with the Hallé’s Christmas Cracker – a festive extravaganza bursting with toe-tapping classics including Merry Christmas Everyone and All I Want for Christmas, the magical sounds of Polar Express, the sultry delights of Santa Baby and nostalgic hits like Last Christmas and Driving Home for Christmas.

Christmas Cracker

This cherished tradition truly signifies the start of the festive season for many of you, so immerse yourself in the heart-warming music and carols, performed with the Hallé family’s unique splendour and brilliance.

Hallé Carol Concerts

Sit back and enjoy the films on the Big Screen whilst the talented musicians of the Hallé accompany The Snowman as he soars through the wintry sky and Shaun the Sheep gets up to festive mischief in The Flight Before Christmas!

The Snowman & Shaun the Sheep

Featuring a full orchestra, sensational singers Vanessa Haynes, Joe Stilgoe and Strictly Come Dancing’s Tommy Blaize, along with the silky sounds of Giacomo Smith’s jazz clarinet and sax, the Hallé is hosting the finest jazz party in town.

Gatsby & The Jazz Age

Join conductor Stephen Bell and the Hallé, along with incredible soprano Soraya Mafi for a trip around the ballrooms of Vienna in this much-loved New Year’s concert.

Viennese New Year

Katharina Wincor, in her Hallé conducting debut, will be joined by Anna Lapwood to perform Joseph Jongen’s Symphonie concertante. Composed in 1926, this electrifying piece has been cemented as one of the greatest twentieth-century works for organ and orchestra. From resounding opening to blazing end, we have the rare opportunity to hear the organ take a virtuosic starring role.

Anna Lapwood Plays…

This Scandinavian programme opens with Esa-Pekka Salonen’s enigmatic Helix, described by the composer as a spiralling ‘nine-minute accelerando’. While the pulse of the piece increases gradually throughout, the note values get proportionately longer, creating a fascinating experience, where the work seems to simultaneously speed up and slow down.

Grieg’s Piano Concerto

BBC New Generation Artist and 2025 Terence Judd-Hallé Award winner, Julius Asal joins players from the orchestra for a programme built around Schumann’s Piano Quintet. The first ever piece for this combination of instruments, the outer movements are full of exuberance and extroversion, and frame a hauntingly beautiful funeral march.

Chamber Series: Julius Asal

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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