Name: Four Last Songs
Start: 2026-03-14T19:30:00
Location: The Bridgewater Hall

Prepare to be swept away by the BBC Philharmonic's vibrant 2026 event series, a musical exploration of diverse styles and eras. From the opulent baroque sounds of Versailles to the American influences in Dvořák's New World Symphony, this series promises to captivate audiences with its rich tapestry of global music traditions. Featuring renowned soloists and conductors, each performance offers a unique auditory experience that ranges from the classical grandeur of Beethoven's 'Eroica' to the contemporary genius of Julia Wolfe's 'Anthracite Fields'.

A Sonic Journey Through Time: BBC Philharmonic's 2026 Event Series

Experience the profound artistry and evocative storytelling of the BBC Philharmonic's 2026 concert series. Featuring a diverse array of performances, from the heart-stirring Viola Concerto by Cassandra Miller to the powerful oratorio Anthracite Fields by Julia Wolfe, these events promise rich musical journeys. From the timeless drama of Beethoven's Eroica to the vibrant rhythms of Bernstein's On the Town, these concerts showcase the creative talents of renowned conductors and musicians. Join us as we explore the cultural significance and emotional depth of these extraordinary compositions.

A Musical Journey: BBC Philharmonic's 2026 Concert Series

Nicholas Carter

Sarah Wegener

BBC Philharmonic

Who knew Haydn and hot cross buns might be related? “The Father of the Symphony”, Haydn’s staggering 104 symphonies are a legacy of brilliance. His final work, Symphony No. 104, known as The London Symphony, first dazzled audiences in 1795. Some have linked its finale to London street tunes, but its melodic roots lie in Haydn’s Austro-Croatian heritage, not the bakery aisle. We then descend into darker corners with Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, known as his ‘Unfinished Symphony’, with only two movements, this piece takes the listener on an emotional journey that feels altogether complete.

Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’

MediaCityUK

Nicholas Carter, one of the leading opera conductors of his generation, makes his Bridgewater Hall debut.

Four Last Songs

The Bridgewater Hall

Puccini first showcased his operatic voice through the orchestra alone with his Capriccio Sinfonico. Marking the start of his signature musical style, it blends the lyrical and dramatic qualities that later came to define his iconic operas.

The Cunning Little Vixen

Grit courses through Julia Wolfe’s Anthracite Fields, her Pulitzer Prize-winning oratorio for choir and ensemble that serves as a musical memorial to American miners and their struggle.

Anthracite Fields

Influenced by Czech folk and expressionism, Haas’s Study for Strings is an energetic, introspective work now seen as a key piece of 20th-century Czech music. Themes of fate, migration and Martinů’s own journey echo through The Rock, reflecting nature, strength, and the enduring human spirit. Dissonance and overlapping melodies define Ives’s Three Places in New England – a bold blend of American folk and modernist experimentation. For our curtain call, Bernstein’s On the Town bursts with energy, fusing classical with popular jazz styles to make a dazzling finale.

Bernstein’s ‘On the Town’

Joshua Weilerstein makes his triumphant return to the Philharmonic in this musical postcard celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Three joyous works each cast a different light on the sights and sounds of the USA, culminating in a performance of Antonín Dvořák’s love letter to America – his ‘New World’ Symphony. One of the most beloved and enduring works in the orchestral repertoire, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 explores themes of identity, belonging, and the emotional pull of home.

New World Symphony

Elegant and virtuosic, Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D Major is celebrated for both its charm and technical brilliance, filled lyrical melodies, high-register passages and rapid runs.

Spring Symphony

Wolfe was two blocks from the Twin Towers when the planes hit on September 11, 2001. Big Beautiful Dark and Scary is the sound of that aftermath: an ominous, awesome wall of sound. When he wrote his Violin Concerto, Tchaikovsky was also recuperating from personal turmoil: after a collapsed marriage and a failed suicide attempt, he escaped to the shores of Lake Geneva. In the company of a violinist muse – Josef Kotek – Tchaikovsky created a concerto of romance, peace and jollity, and a celebrated classic of the repertoire.

Big Beautiful Dark and Scary

We continue our thrillingly up-close series at the RNCM with a heavyweight artistic collaboration – our Chief Conductor John Storgårds joins the acclaimed pianist Tamara Stefanovich in this exploration of the pure power of the piano.

Grand Pianola Music

RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music)

Angel’s Bone is a Pulitzer Prize-winning contemporary opera by Chinese American composer Du Yun and librettist Royce Vavrek. A dark fable exploring modern-day slavery and human trafficking, it draws inspiration from a range of musical genres from classical to cabaret and punk. Its UK premiere is the result of a collaboration between English National Opera, Factory International and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, in a new production specifically imagined for the dramatic Warehouse space at Aviva Studios.

Angel's Bone

Aviva Studios

A stormy opening from the 19th century prolific German composer Emilie Mayer – think drama, boldness and romance. Meanwhile, Brahms’s Symphony No.2 is music of bittersweet contrasts. It begins quietly with horns and woodwind, starting a lyrical journey that ends in a jubilant orchestral whirlwind of breathlessness and flourish.

Brahms: Symphony No. 2

In this striking exploration of Nordic soundscapes, Chief Conductor John Storgårds will flex every Finnish musical muscle as he leads the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra from the icy beauty of the Arctic to a Danish climax that revels in the raw power of human resilience.

Four Last Songs

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