Southbank Centre Classical Opening Weekend

The 2024-5 classical music season at Southbank Centre opens with a bumper showcase of resident artists and orchestras. On the programme is a busy weekend of concerts that illustrates the depth and variety of performances that classical music lovers can look forward to in the coming months.

Here's a look at the highlights.

Wed 25 Sep at 7:30pm  / Joyce DiDonato Sings Berlioz
Beethoven's Eroica makes an explosive start to the LPO’s new season, devoted to the subject of memory

Thu 26 Sep, 7pm  /  Santtu Conducts Sibelius & Grieg
The Philharmonia’s season gets off to a barnstorming start with pianist Stephen Hough

Fri 27 Sep, 7pm  /  Igor Levit: Bach, Brahms & Beethoven
An evening of dazzling pianism and evocative romanticism with one of today’s most compelling performers

Fri 27 Sep, 9pm  /  Lawrence Power with Thomas Adès: Fairy-Tale Dances
An imaginative programme of song and dance unites the extraordinary viola player and the leading composer

Sat 28 Sep, 4pm  /  The Multi-Story Orchestra: Verified
A story for all ages about the pressures of social media blends orchestral and contemporary music

Sat 28 Sep, 5.30pm & 9.30pm  /  Matthew Barley: Light Stories
The boundary-breaking cellist is here with a specially commissioned concert experience

Sat 28 Sep, 7pm  /  Edward Gardner Conducts Rachmaninov
The LPO enchants with Rachmaninov’s The Bells: music of sparkling joy and rich, deep sorrow

Sun 29 Sep, 12.30pm  /  Notes on Nature 1: The Sea
The first of four conversations on the environment, part of the Philharmonia’s Nordic Soundscapes series

Sun 29 Sep, 3pm  /  Santtu Conducts Sibelius & Nielsen
Playful, rippling flutes conjure sea nymphs at a Philharmonia concert that roams the Nordic coast

Sun 29 Sep, 5.30pm & 8.30pm  /  Paraorchestra: Symphony of Sorrowful Songs
Get closer to Górecki’s hauntingly beautiful Symphony of Sorrowful Songs at an immersive performance

Sun 29 Sep, 7pm  /  Scottish Ensemble Performs Philip Glass
Music for strings at its most thrilling and varied, including Philip Glass’ meditative Third Symphony