Starting the year off with extraordinary skill and an exuberant sound, The National Youth Orchestra make their annual appearance in our Hall. 

EPSG:4326

The National Youth Orchestra

Barbican Centre

Brahms’ Symphony No 4 was subtitled ‘Tragic’, yet it is vigorous and full of warm orchestral colours. At the premiere, the Duke of Meiningen asked Brahms to encore the first and third movements – a guest remarked that Brahms conducted them with ‘even greater fire.’ 

London Symphony Orchestra: Half Six Fix – Brahms

Experience the transformative power of Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 4 with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle. This special "Half Six Fix" concert, taking place on Wednesday, 8th January 2025 at 6:30 pm at the Barbican, offers a unique, hour-long format designed to enrich your evening. Sir Simon Rattle, both conductor and presenter, will guide you through the intricacies and emotional depths of Brahms' final symphony, making this event not just a concert but an immersive journey into the heart of classical music.

The "Half Six Fix" series is celebrated for its early evening concerts that provide live introductions from the musicians and conductors, bringing the audience closer to the music and the creators behind it. With screens in the hall to enhance your experience, this concert promises an intimate exploration of Brahms' masterpiece, known for its tragic undertones yet vigorous and warm orchestral colors. From the yearning sighs of the opening movement to the solemn, fiery conclusion, Rattle and the LSO promise to draw out the composer’s unique blend of solemnity and vigor.

Tickets are available at various price points, with a booking fee applicable for online or phone transactions. For those looking to save, the Half Six Fix Season Pass offers a guaranteed Wildcard for all eight concerts in the season, alongside other discount options for groups, young people, students, and Barbican Access Members.

Booking your tickets is easy and can be done online at lso.co.uk or barbican.org.uk, by phone, or in person at the Barbican Centre. For any inquiries or further information on refunds, exchanges, and booking discounts, please contact the Barbican Box Office.

Don't miss this opportunity to kick-start your evening with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle, exploring the tragic beauty and profound depth of Brahms' Symphony No. 4.

Half Six Fix: Brahms

2025 marks the centenary year of the legendary composer and conductor Pierre Boulez, and Sir Simon Rattle kicks off the LSO’s celebrations with Éclat. An exploration of sound itself, for Rattle it’s ‘one of Boulez’s seminal pieces, a piece where you not only conduct, but you almost compose as you go along'. 

London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle

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

**Date and Time:** Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 6:00 PM  
**Location:** Royal Festival Hall, London

**Event Overview:**
Join us for an inspiring evening at the Royal Festival Hall as the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) presents the "LPO Showcase: Foyle Future Firsts and the Royal Academy of Music." This event is a unique collaboration that bridges the gap between education and professional performance, featuring the talented musicians from the LPO’s Foyle Future Firsts Development Programme, students from the Royal Academy of Music, and members of the LPO.

**Performers:**
- **Conductor:** Edward Gardner, Principal Conductor of the LPO
- **Musicians:** Foyle Future First musicians, students from the Royal Academy of Music, and members of the LPO

**Programme:**
The evening's programme is inspired by the theme of memory and includes:
- **Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin:** Each movement of this piece is dedicated to the memory of a friend of the composer who died in the First World War.
- **Additional Related Repertoire:** Other pieces that complement the theme of memory.

**Admission:**
This event is free to attend, and no booking is required. Simply arrive at the Royal Festival Hall auditorium to enjoy the performance.

**Support and Acknowledgements:**
The Foyle Future Firsts Development Programme 2024/25 is generously funded by the Foyle Foundation. Instrument chairs are kindly supported by:
- David Burke & Valerie Graham (clarinet)
- John & Sam Dawson (percussion)
- Judy Wrightson & Tony Llewellyn (violin)

**Additional Information:**
For more details and to stay updated on future events, sign up for our mailing list.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the future stars of orchestral music in a vibrant and moving performance. See you at the Royal Festival Hall!

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

Royal Festival Hall

### Event Description: Strauss, Berg & Brahms - LPO

**Event Title:** Strauss, Berg & Brahms - LPO

**Date and Time:** Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 7:30 PM

**Location:** Royal Festival Hall, London

**Ticket Price:** £7 - £70

**Event Overview:**
Join the London Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening of profound musical exploration as they present works by Richard Strauss, Alban Berg, and Johannes Brahms. Under the baton of Principal Conductor Edward Gardner, and featuring the exceptional violinist Isabelle Faust, this concert promises to be a deeply moving experience.

**Programme:**
- **Richard Strauss:** Metamorphosen (26 minutes)
- **Alban Berg:** Violin Concerto (28 minutes)
- **Johannes Brahms:** Symphony No. 2 (40 minutes)

**Performers:**
- **Edward Gardner:** Conductor
- **Isabelle Faust:** Violin

**Event Highlights:**
- **Richard Strauss’s Metamorphosen:** A poignant reflection on the devastation of wartime Germany, this piece is both a lament and a testament to resilience.
- **Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto:** Dedicated to the memory of a young girl, this concerto transforms personal grief into a universal expression of beauty and sorrow.
- **Brahms’s Symphony No. 2:** Composed in the serene Austrian Alps, this symphony radiates warmth and joy, yet carries an undercurrent of introspection.

**Special Offers:**
- **Multi-Buy Series Discounts:** Save up to 30% on full-price tickets at the Southbank Centre, London, by booking multiple concerts.
- **Group Discounts:** Book 10 or more seats to access discounted tickets for Southbank Centre concerts.

**Related Event:**
- **LPO Showcase: Foyle Future Firsts and the Royal Academy of Music**
  - **Date and Time:** Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 6:00 PM
  - **Description:** Join the current cohort of Future Firsts, students from the Royal Academy of Music, and members of the LPO for a vibrant performance conducted by Edward Gardner.

**Booking Information:**
- **Book Now:** [Link to purchase tickets]

**Additional Information:**
- **Insight and Commitment:** Edward Gardner and Isabelle Faust are renowned for their deep musical insight and commitment, ensuring every note resonates with emotion, whether tragic, troubled, or joyful.

**Quotes:**
- "Isabelle Faust is a fearless leader in the realms of the violin." - Süddeutsche Zeitung

**Watch More:**
- **Brahms, Symphony No. 2 I. Allegro non troppo**
- **Timpani Moments Brahms 2: I. Allegro Non Troppo**

**On the LPO Label:**
- **Recording:** Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2

**Stay Updated:**
- **Sign up to our mailing list:** [Link to sign up]

Experience the transformative power of live music with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable evening.

Strauss, Berg & Brahms

Gustavo Dudamel gets down and dirty with Lorenz’ Todo Terreno, an off-road adventure through his native Venezuela. Hitching a ride too is Grau’s Odisea, whose concerto odyssey travels east to west, imbibing the excitement of arrival; the nostalgia of departures; and the chaos and colours of the streets. Tchaikovsky is in more sober mood; but the third movement of his Symphony No 4 fairly fizzes with the popping corks of plucked strings, and fate ultimately meets its scurrying match.

Simón Bolívar Orchestra/Dudamel

From the creative team behind the hugely popular Blue Planet in Concert, Planet Earth in Concert and Frozen Planet in Concert – comes Wild Isles Live in Concert, a spectacular symphonic encounter with the wildlife of the British Isles, inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s landmark BBC series.

Wild Isles

### Event Description: Vivaldi's Four Seasons - LPO

**Event Title:** Vivaldi's Four Seasons - LPO

**Date and Time:** Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 7:30 PM

**Venue:** Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

**Ticket Prices:** £10.50 - £45

**Event Overview:**
Experience the timeless beauty of Vivaldi's Four Seasons performed live by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This evening promises to be a captivating journey through the evocative sounds of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, brought to life by the Baroque specialist Richard Egarr and the LPO’s own Alice Ivy-Pemberton on violin.

**Program:**
- **Perry:** Requiem for Orchestra (7 minutes)
- **Evan Williams:** Dead White Man Music Concerto for Harpsichord and Chamber Ensemble (31 minutes)
- **Vivaldi:** The Four Seasons (45 minutes)

**Performers:**
- **Richard Egarr:** Conductor/Harpsichord
- **Alice Ivy-Pemberton:** Violin

**Special Notes:**
As part of the "Moments Remembered" season, the concert will also feature a Vivaldi-inspired Requiem by African-American composer Julia Perry and a provocative piece by Evan Williams that explores his place in classical music as a young African-American composer.

**Offers & Discounts:**
- **Multi-Buy Series Discounts:** Save up to 30% on full-price tickets at the Southbank Centre, London.
- **Group Bookings:** Book 10 or more seats to access discounted tickets for Southbank Centre concerts.

**Booking Information:**
Secure your tickets now to ensure you don't miss this exquisite performance. [Book Now]

**Critical Acclaim:**
"The most sheerly exquisite playing came in the second movement. The tenderly beautiful solos by the LPO’s recently appointed co-leader Alice Ivy-Pemberton were the icing on the deliciously swaying slow-waltz cake." - The Guardian

Join us for an unforgettable evening of classical music that continues to inspire and enchant audiences worldwide.

Vivaldi's Four Seasons

Southbank Centre

Hush…when the great Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho died in 2023, she left behind her a trumpet concerto unlike any other, crafted to showcase the remarkable, genre-crossing artistry of trumpeter Verneri Pohjola. He gives its UK premiere tonight. a final, profoundly moving testament from one of our century’s greatest creative spirits, as she took her own “journey to silence”.

A Meditation on Life

The orchestra begins a year of celebrations marking its tenth anniversary with a performance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which also hosted its 2015 debut.

Chineke! Orchestra Celebrates a Decade

This landmark year celebrates not only musical excellence and diversity but also its role in illuminating works of previously overlooked composers, reinforcing its commitment to an inclusive classical music world.

Southbank Centre: Chineke! Orchestra Celebrates a Decade

Kensington Symphony Orchestra is joined by Michael Collins for Magnus Lindberg’s Clarinet Concerto, the renowned soloist’s first London performance of the work.

KSO: Lindberg, Prokofiev and Ravel

### Event Description

**Magnus Lindberg's Clarinet Concerto with Michael Collins - Kensington Symphony Orchestra**

**Date:** Saturday, 25 January 2025  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Venue:** Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre

Join the Kensington Symphony Orchestra (KSO) for an enchanting evening at the Southbank Centre, featuring a captivating performance of Magnus Lindberg’s Clarinet Concerto with the renowned soloist Michael Collins. Under the baton of conductor Russell Keable, the program will also include:

- **Ravel:** Rapsodie espagnole
- **Prokofiev:** Lieutenant Kijé
- **Ravel:** La valse

The KSO, celebrated as one of the finest non-professional orchestras in the UK, promises a night of exceptional music-making. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a concert that blends the talents of dedicated amateur musicians with the expertise of distinguished professionals.

**Soloist:** Michael Collins, Clarinet  
**Conductor:** Russell Keable

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the Southbank Centre's website.

Magnus Lindberg's Clarinet Concerto with Michael Collins

Join the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) for a remarkable evening dedicated to the legacy of Pierre Boulez, a towering figure in contemporary music. This special concert, part of the LSO Futures series, is set to take place at the Barbican on Sunday, 26 January 2025, at 7pm. Under the baton of François-Xavier Roth, a fervent champion of Boulez's work, the orchestra will explore the profound influence of Boulez through a blend of his compositions and those of his beloved Debussy, alongside the excitement of three world premieres.

The concert will feature Debussy's "Gigues" and "Ibéria" from "Trois images pour orchestre," showcasing the composer's revolutionary musical language and precise sound worlds that Boulez so admired. Boulez's own "Notations Nos 1, 2, 3, 4 & 7" will be presented, pieces that began as piano compositions and were later transformed by Boulez into vivid orchestral works.

Adding to the evening's allure are world premieres by Olga Neuwirth, Rafael Marino Arcaro, and Lara Agar, co-commissioned by the LSO. These pieces draw inspiration from Boulez's pioneering spirit and innovative use of color and form, promising a night of fresh and engaging music.

The concert is not only a tribute to Boulez in his centenary year but also a celebration of the future of music, with the LSO at the forefront of commissioning and performing new works. The event will conclude at approximately 8:50 pm, including a 20-minute interval.

Tickets are available in various price ranges, with discounts offered for multiple bookings, young people, students, and groups. For those looking for a unique experience, Wildcards offer guaranteed entry with seat allocation on the day of the concert. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of contemporary classical music and to celebrate the enduring legacy of Pierre Boulez with the London Symphony Orchestra.

LSO Futures: Homage to Pierre Boulez

Music thrives on change: for centuries, great composers have channelled the spirit of their age into music that shocked some and gripped others – but has never lost its power to thrill. Stravinsky’s taboo-smashing ballet provides the final blast tonight, as Vasily Petrenko conducts this explosive opening concert of the RPO’s new series. But first he explores the rich, strange and sometimes violent new sounds that Alban Berg created in the Vienna of Klimt and Mahler. And he is joined by the superb British pianist Paul Lewis in a masterpiece that broke all the rules and still sounds just as exciting today as when it was premiered. It’s the concerto they call the ‘Emperor’: daring, majestic and filled from beginning to end with the irrepressible genius of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring

A concert all about conversations, numbers and musical echoes. A solo cello is in dialogue with six comrades in Messagesquisse where the rhythms are inspired by Morse code. Another group of six features in Dérive 1, while in Anthèmes 2 a violin generates its own electronic response.

LSO Chamber Ensemble/François-Xavier Roth

Milton Court Concert Hall

### Event Description: Benjamin Grosvenor Plays Mozart with the London Philharmonic Orchestra

**Event Title:** Benjamin Grosvenor Plays Mozart - LPO

**Date and Time:** Wednesday, 29 January 2025, 6:30 PM

**Location:** Royal Festival Hall, London

**Ticket Prices:** £7 - £70

**Event Overview:**
Join the London Philharmonic Orchestra for an enchanting evening of classical music featuring the renowned pianist Benjamin Grosvenor. Under the baton of LPO Principal Guest Conductor Karina Canellakis, the concert promises to be a captivating experience, blending the timeless beauty of Mozart with the evocative power of Sibelius.

**Program:**
- **Sibelius:** En Saga (17 minutes)
- **Mozart:** Piano Concerto No. 21, K467 (29 minutes)
- **Sibelius:** Lemminkäinen Suite (44 minutes)

**Performers:**
- **Conductor:** Karina Canellakis
- **Piano:** Benjamin Grosvenor

**Highlights:**
- Benjamin Grosvenor will bring to life the majesty, beauty, and unchained melody of Mozart’s 21st Piano Concerto.
- The concert will open with Sibelius’s gripping evocation of the Viking age, followed by the vivid and powerful retelling of ancient Finnish tales in the Lemminkäinen Suite.

**Special Notes:**
- The concert is generously supported by Victoria Robey CBE.
- The Financial Times praises Grosvenor as "the real deal."

**Offers & Discounts:**
- **Multi-Buy Series Discounts:** Save up to 30% on full-price tickets at the Southbank Centre, London.
- **Group Discounts:** Book 10 or more seats to access discounted tickets for Southbank Centre concerts.

**Booking Information:**
- **Book Now:** [Link to booking page]

**Additional Information:**
- Sign up to the LPO mailing list for updates and more information on future events.

Experience the wonder of live music with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Benjamin Grosvenor in a concert that promises both sunlight and shadow, majesty and beauty. Secure your tickets now for an unforgettable evening at the Royal Festival Hall.

Benjamin Grosvenor plays Mozart

Join us at the Royal Festival Hall for an unforgettable evening as Nobuyuki Tsujii, the extraordinary pianist affectionately known as Nobu, takes the stage to perform Chopin on Thursday, 30 January 2025, at 7:30 pm. This concert promises to be a showcase of sparkling masterworks, featuring Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1, and Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali.

Nobu, who has been blind from birth, is celebrated for his remarkable technique and sincere emotional expression, qualities that shine through in his performance of Chopin’s First Piano Concerto. The evening will begin with the vibrant trumpet fanfares of Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, a piece inspired by the composer's time in Rome and bursting with local color. The concert will conclude with Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, a piece that highlights the individual brilliance of each musician on stage, composed even as Bartók faced his final illness with a spirit full of energy and life.

Tickets are priced between £15 and £75, with priority booking available for Friends of the Philharmonia. General booking opens at 10am on Tuesday, 23 April. This event is not just a concert but an experience, with a running time of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including an interval. Recommended for ages 7 and up, attendees can also look forward to free printed programmes available at the venue, with digital programme notes accessible a week before the event.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness Nobuyuki Tsujii's incredible talent and the Philharmonia Orchestra's dedication to presenting thrilling performances. Secure your seats for a night of exquisite music at one of London's most iconic venues. For more information and to book your tickets, contact the Philharmonia Box Office at 0800 652 6717, Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.

Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Chopin

From the tropical and rural manifestations of Pernambuco to the baroque soul sounds of Minas Gerais, the music of Alceu Valença meets the Ouro Preto Orchestra in the acclaimed Valencianas concert. 

Orchestral events in London next month

The National Youth Orches...

Barbican Centre

London Symphony Orchestra...

Barbican Centre

Half Six Fix: Brahms

London Symphony Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra...

Barbican Centre

LPO Showcase: Foyle Futur...

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Strauss, Berg & Brahms

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Simón Bolívar Orchestra/D...

Barbican Centre

Wild Isles

Barbican Centre

Vivaldi's Four Seasons

London Philharmonic Orchestra

A Meditation on Life

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Chineke! Orchestra Celebr...

Southbank Centre

Southbank Centre: Chineke...

Chineke! Orchestra

KSO: Lindberg, Prokofiev ...

Southbank Centre

Magnus Lindberg's Clarine...

Kensington Symphony

LSO Futures: Homage to Pi...

London Symphony Orchestra

Stravinsky’s The Rite of ...

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

LSO Chamber Ensemble/Fran...

Barbican Centre

Benjamin Grosvenor plays ...

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Cho...

Philharmonia Orchestra

Alceu Valença & Orquestra...

Barbican Centre