Name: Beethoven’s Ninth
Start: 2026-03-28T19:30:00
Location: Southbank Centre

The London Philharmonic Orchestra invites audiences to experience an orchestral extravaganza like no other. With the UK premiere of Tan Dun's Nine and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Southbank Centre, and the epic Lord of the Rings concert trilogy at the Royal Albert Hall, these events promise a cultural feast where music and storytelling unite in an unforgettable celebration.

A Symphony of Sagas: Beethoven and Tolkien Come Alive in London

Immerse yourself in a musical odyssey where the grandeur of Beethoven meets the epic journeys of Middle-earth. This spring, the London Philharmonic Orchestra presents an extraordinary series of concerts that span cultures and genres. From the UK premiere of Tan Dun’s choral concerto 'Nine' to the cinematic majesty of 'The Lord of the Rings' in concert, audiences are invited to experience these masterpieces in iconic venues across London. These events promise to be a feast for the senses, celebrating universal themes of peace, adventure, and unity.

Harmonizing Cultures: A Musical Journey from Beethoven to Middle-earth

In an awe-inspiring cultural convergence, the London Philharmonic Orchestra is set to captivate audiences with two monumental events: the UK premiere of Tan Dun's 'Nine,' a tribute to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and the epic trilogy of 'The Lord of the Rings' films brought to life in concert. As East meets West and cinema melds with symphony, these performances promise not only to entertain but to transcend artistic boundaries, celebrating the universality of music and storytelling. These events, staged across two of London's iconic venues, are poised to be unforgettable cultural experiences.

A Symphony of Harmony: Beethoven and Tolkien Unite with the London Philharmonic Orchestra

Immerse yourself in a symphony of cultures and epic journeys with the London Philharmonic Orchestra's 2026 lineup. From Tan Dun's compelling tribute to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, bridging Eastern and Western musical traditions, to the immersive experience of The Lord of the Rings in concert, these events promise unforgettable performances. Join renowned conductors and performers as they bring these masterpieces to life across London's iconic venues, making for a truly memorable musical journey.

A Symphony of Cultures and Epic Journeys: London Philharmonic Orchestra's 2026 Highlights

Get ready for a cultural journey like no other as the London Philharmonic Orchestra presents two groundbreaking events. Witness the fusion of East and West with Tan Dun's 'Ode to Peace' and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Then, embark on an epic quest through Middle-earth with 'The Lord of the Rings' concerts. These performances promise to transcend traditional boundaries and offer a unique blend of orchestral innovation and cinematic adventure.

A Symphony of Legends: From Beethoven to Middle-earth

Experience the harmonious blend of East and West as Tan Dun conducts his tribute to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, alongside an orchestral journey through Middle-earth with The Lord of the Rings film concert series. From the powerful choral concerto 'Nine' to the epic tales of Frodo and the fellowship, the London Philharmonic Orchestra invites you to a series of unforgettable events that unite classical music and cinematic fantasy at the iconic Southbank Centre and Royal Albert Hall.

A Symphony of Peace and Adventure: Celebrating Beethoven and Middle-Earth

John Findon

Tan Dun

Hongni Wu

Elizabeth Watts

Dingle Yandell

London Philharmonic Choir

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Our current cohort of Future Firsts join forces with students from the Royal Academy of Music and members of the LPO for a vibrant performance conducted by our Principal Conductor, Edward Gardner. The programme is part of our ‘Phoenix Lands’ week and features works by two musical titans: Ligeti’s intricate Melodien and the energetic Dance Suite by Bartók.

LPO Showcase: Foyle Future Firsts and the Royal Academy of Music

Southbank Centre

Bartók’s ballet is a fairytale, for sure, but this is 20th-century Hungary, where folklore has a habit of growing teeth and claws. Edward Gardner shares the choral ecstasies of Szymanowski’s gorgeous Stabat Mater, and champions the utterly original music of Vítězslava Kaprálová. Expect surging emotions, burning colours and glorious singing; but above all, prepare to be transported.

The Wooden Prince

There’s only one Edward Elgar – or is there? For the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Principal Conductor Edward Gardner, Elgar is more than just a national institution with a walrus moustache. He’s the haunted, autumnal poet of the Cello Concerto (composed among the Sussex Downs); he’s a wit, a statesman, a romantic and – above all – he’s the composer who poured out his soul in ‘Nimrod’, the unforgettable centrepiece of the Enigma Variations. You’ll hear all this and much more when we play both of these much-loved classics, with the great Jan Vogler – a legend among cellists – making a rare Eastbourne appearance.

Edward Gardner conducts Elgar

Congress Theatre

A book of fairytales, painted in a thousand subtle and ravishing sounds. A symphony transformed into a multicoloured vortex of desire; and another, split into pieces and rebuilt as a musical monument. Sounds fantastic? You’d expect nothing less when Sir George Benjamin is conducting. The LPO’s new Composer-in-Residence is a sonic alchemist in his own right – a composer who transforms subtle and exquisite sounds into vast emotional landscapes. He’ll conduct his own work Palimpsests, too: music inspired by the many different tales written on medieval manuscripts, and framed tonight by masterpieces that set Benjamin’s own imagination on fire.

Mother Goose

Tonight she’ll take you to Broadway: torch songs and love letters from Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter and more, including hits from West Side Story, Kiss Me Kate and South Pacific. It’s sassy, it’s sexy and it’s straight from the heart – all gift-wrapped in the luxurious sound of the full London Philharmonic Orchestra. Go on, treat that special someone … or yourself!

A Little Bit in Love

Brighton Dome

Saffron Hall

The LPO Junior Artists programme supports the progression of talented teenage musicians from backgrounds currently under-represented in professional UK orchestras.

LPO Showcase: Junior Artists

Anne-Sophie Mutter is one of those rare violinists for whom the term ‘living legend’ is entirely justified. It’s always a special occasion when Mutter plays with the LPO; add Principal Guest Conductor Karina Canellakis’s own irrepressible energy and this performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto should be in a class of its own. The celebration continues as Canellakis unleashes the pure life-force of Beethoven’s barnstorming Seventh Symphony.

Anne-Sophie Mutter plays Tchaikovsky

Second time’s the charm: Sibelius’s Second Symphony begins in rural quiet but ends as a mighty flood of melody – crowned with trumpets, and sweeping triumphantly onwards to freedom. Tchaikovsky’s Second Piano Concerto isn’t as well-known as his First, but when you hear it played by the sensational young French star Alexandre Kantorow you’ll wonder why: it’s positively bursting with sunshine and big, beautiful Tchaikovsky melodies. An evening of music-making on a truly magnificent scale, all brought together by the inspirational conducting of Paavo Järvi – one of the most sought-after conductors in the world today.

Tchaikovsky & Sibelius

Deep in a kingdom of shadow rules the green-clawed demon king Kashchey – but young Prince Ivan has a gallant heart, and with the aid of the enchanted Firebird, even the darkest spells can be broken. When Stravinsky composed The Firebird he didn’t just imagine a wondrous fantasy world. He let us hear it, too, and today conductor Dionysis Grammenos and the LPO take you to new realms of sound – from Debussy’s sensuous arcadia to Mendelssohn’s Scottish seascape. Pianist Lukas Sternath, meanwhile, brings all his award-winning artistry to Mozart’s 23rd Piano Concerto. Some say it’s his loveliest.

The Firebird

Imagine an orchestra as a river. Or a bassoon becoming one with nature, exploring land, water and air. The latest adventure in our Harmony with Nature season begins with a contemporary classic by John Luther Adams. It embraces Terra, Clarice Assad’s Earth-inspired concerto, and it ends amid the changing seasons of Buenos Aires, with a live dance interpretation of Piazzolla’s intimate portrait of the city of tango.

Four Seasons of Buenos Aires

Members of Crisis UK – all adults who have experienced homelessness – perform original music they have devised with LPO musicians and a workshop leader during a week-long creative project.

LPO Showcase: Crisis Creates

Every story has to start somewhere, and in this remarkable choral symphony the young Sibelius retells Finland’s most ancient poem, the Kalevala. This is Sibelius in the raw: the tragedy of a young hero and a love more terrible than war, told in music of operatic power. So gather round as Robin Ticciati, a full chorus and two star singers retell the story tonight. Lotta Wennäkoski – one of modern Finland’s most original young voices – has something new to add, too.

Voices from Finland

Beethoven wanted his Ninth Symphony to embrace all humanity, so when Tan Dun set out to compose his own tribute to Beethoven, he aimed just as high, combining ancient poetry from China and Europe to create an ‘ode to peace’ worthy of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. His choral concerto Nine is everything you’d expect from the composer of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and tonight Tan Dun joins us to conduct the UK premiere – plus a full performance of Beethoven’s world-changing symphony. East meets West, and the result transcends both.

Beethoven’s Ninth

Articles & News