Walton’s First Symphony displayed the composer at the peak of his symphonic thinking. Its turbulent emotions and high-voltage energy were the fruit of tempestuous events surrounding Walton at the time. After an eloquent, dramatic first movement, a stinging, malicious Scherzo and a truly melancholic slow movement, the finale is totally different in outlook – an almost Elgarian ceremonial jubilation, as if a cloud has lifted.

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Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Bristol Beacon

In 2022 Jaren Ziegler won the BBC Young Musician Strings Final at age 16, becoming the first violist in the competition’s history to do so. This led to invitations to perform across the UK and Europe and suffice to say Ziegler is forging a reputation as an outstanding young musician.

Jaren Ziegler

St George's Bristol

Everyone's favourite governess returns to the stage to bring us a spoonful of sugar! Join Mary Poppins, Bert, Jane and Michael as the wonderful story of Mary Poppins comes to life on stage in this spectacular production from Cameron Mackintosh and Disney, with choreography by Matthew Bourne!

Mary Poppins

Bristol Hippodrome

Tonight they present music from their debut duo album Touch of Time, released on ECM records – music revelling in fragile melodic lines and the unmistakably evocative sound of Arve’s trumpet. This promises to be a special evening of music perfect for the St George’s acoustic.

Arve Henriksen & Harmen Fraanje

Forget the hurt, it’s been 35 years of pure joy for Lightning Seeds, one of the country’s best loved bands. And to celebrate, they’re not only heading out on tour, they've put together a lovingly 20-track greatest hits album Tomorrow’s Here Today: 35 Years of Lightning Seeds. 

Lightning Seeds

O2 Academy Bristol

Internationally hailed as a beacon of relentless soul, Hannah Williams & The Affirmations were catapulted around the world when their song ‘Late Nights & Heartbreak’ was sampled by Jay-Z and became an instrumental part of his platinum selling, Grammy-nominated album ‘4:44’. The band has become a global success ever since, playing stages including Montreal Jazz Festival, Blue Note Milan and Blue Note Tokyo, and working with Tyler the Creator, Pete Rock and Guy Chambers.

The Jazz Defenders, having recently had two albums reach the top ten in the USA jazz charts and receiving worldwide acclaim, are a group that electrifies audiences with their mesmerising and virtuosic energy; uniquely defending the legacy of hard bop and soul jazz groove. They are led by one of the UK’s most formidable pianists and composers, George Cooper, who has worked and collaborated with Hans Zimmer, Nigel Kennedy, Omar, Slum Village, MF Doom, The Brand New Heavies, Lisa Stansfield, The Haggis Horns and Abstract Orchestra.

Hannah Williams & The Affirmations + The Jazz Defenders - An Evening with Strings

Hailed as one of the most prodigious guitarists of his generation and “highest category of improvising musicians” (New Yorker), Julian Lage has spent more than a decade searching through the myriad strains of American musical history via impeccable technique, free association and a spirit of infinite possibility.

Julian Lage

Embrace celebrate the 20th anniversary of their massive-selling, No.1 album, Out Of Nothing, playing their biggest selling record in full, along with their other greatest hits.

Embrace

Imagine a swelling river of sound; a musical voyage that begins amid the tranquillity of nature and ends in a surge of triumph. That’s Sibelius’s Second Symphony, and there are few experiences in classical music more invigorating, or more stirring. Wagner’s evocative Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde is a stirring exploration of love and longing. Wagner’s intense and lyrical music sets the stage for an unforgettable journey through the complexities of passion and loss.

Before this, we present one of Bruckner’s early and rarely performed compositions to mark Bruckner’s 200th anniversary, as part of the international #AntonBruckner2024 celebrations. In 1862 Bruckner attended a performance of Wagner’s Tannhäuser that changed his life forever: from then on, he determined to devote more time to composition. With hardly any experience in orchestral scoring, Bruckner’s characteristics are clearly present in this overture which ends with a typically Brucknerian blazing G major conclusion.

Bristol Symphony Orchestra

We launched this groundbreaking project in spring 2024, working with a team of UWE researchers to see whether singing really can improve your mental wellbeing and mood. Working with local Bristol choir leaders, we ran a series of singing sessions followed by a final performance at Bristol Beacon, where participants learned to sing popular songs and took part in the research. Hundreds of you took part, including many who’d never sung before, or hadn’t sung since childhood – we were blown away by participants’ passion for getting involved with both the music and the cutting-edge research. We also partnered with several local charities to widen access to the project. This summer, Sing for Happiness made national news and went viral on social media! At the time of going to print, the research analysis is in progress – and we’re excited to say that Sing for Happiness will return in spring 2025 for its next phase…

Sing for Happiness Rehearsal Ticket

Clark has released numerous critically acclaimed albums which cemented his status at the forefront of electronic music. His self-taught expertise in piano, cello and drums has also taken his career in a new direction as a composer for TV, film and video games.

Clark

Whether you’re a seasoned chorister or shower-singing enthusiast, come and sing with a choir of 400, as we learn from scratch one of Mozart’s most powerful works. This is also your chance to perform alongside a professional orchestra, the Bristol Ensemble, as well as four fantastic soloists!

Massive Mozart! Workshop

Join the brilliant writer, thinker and St George’s resident philosopher, Julian Baggini, as he explores some of the big ideas that connect with and emerge from this week’s news stories.

Sit back and enjoy the live conversation or take part as much as you like – this is always a lively and inspiring discussion!

Philosophical Times with Julian Baggini

Sheffield five-piece Reverend & The Makers, fronted by Jon McClure, head out on the road to play songs from their upcoming album Is This How Happiness Feels?  with all the fan favourites.

Reverend And The Makers

Scottish four-piece The Snuts hit the road in support of their third album, Millennials, a tight, taut masterclass in songwriting and production, packed full of songs that attack subjects affecting the youth of today.

The Snuts

Symphony of the World takes you on a musical a journey across the globe, a celebration of the wonderful diverse communities and musical traditions residing in our city of Bristol, culminating in two electrifying performances at Trinity Arts on 18th November 2024, and St George’s on 25th November 2024. The concert at St George’s also features performances by Bristol Reggae Orchestra, Troyka, and the Bristol Ensemble with Kora player Mamadou Cissokho.

Symphony of the World

Embark on an unparalleled musical odyssey with The Wailers as they commemorate the anniversary of Bob Marley's iconic album Legend. Under the visionary leadership of Aston Barrett Jr., expect a fusion of nostalgic melodies and modern reggae beats, creating an experience that is both memorable and invigorating. 

The Wailers

Phenomenal London collective KOKOROKO are a force to be reckoned with, blending afrobeat, jazz, soul, funk and everything in-between. They radiate so much joy, with a unique energy that underpins the very heartbeat of their identity.

Kokoroko

Preludes Music, the education arm of the Bristol Ensemble, works in areas of Bristol that are experiencing high levels of economic disadvantage and aims to put music at the heart of every child’s education. By doing so we improve confidence, co-ordination, speech and language and benefit all other areas of their learning. It has been running successfully since 2009 in several areas of Bristol. It is the most extensive project of its type in the country.

High Sheriff Concert

Fronted by a female horn section with Sheila Maurice-Grey on Trumpet, Anoushka Nanguy on Trombone for live shows, Ayo Salawu on drums, Onome Edgeworth on percussion, Duane Atherley on bass, Tobi Adenaike-Johnson on guitar and Yohan Kebede on keys and synths to complete the vibrant ensemble.

Events in Bristol this month

Bournemouth Symphony Orch...

Bristol Beacon

Jaren Ziegler

St George’s Bristol

Mary Poppins

Bristol Hippodrome

Arve Henriksen & Harmen F...

St George’s Bristol

Lightning Seeds

O2 Academy Bristol

Hannah Williams & The Aff...

St George’s Bristol

Julian Lage

Bristol Beacon

Embrace

O2 Academy Bristol

Bristol Symphony Orchestr...

St George’s Bristol

Sing for Happiness Rehear...

St George’s Bristol

Clark

Bristol Beacon

Massive Mozart! Workshop

Bristol Beacon

Philosophical Times with ...

St George’s Bristol

Reverend And The Makers

O2 Academy Bristol

The Snuts

O2 Academy Bristol

Symphony of the World

St George’s Bristol

The Wailers

O2 Academy Bristol

Kokoroko

O2 Academy Bristol

High Sheriff Concert

St George’s Bristol

Kokoroko

Bristol Beacon