Southbank Centre Classical Opening Weekend

The 2025-6 autumn-winter 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.

Santtu & Víkingur Ólafsson
Thu 25 Sep, 7:30pm
The Philharmonia Orchestra’s 80th birthday season opens with time-honoured classics and brand new sounds.

Boris Giltburg Plays Rachmaninov's Preludes 
Sun 28 Sep, 7:30pm 
The virtuoso pianist performs the thrilling technicolour cycle of Rachmaninov’s 24 Preludes in their entirety.

Meet the Instruments 
Sun 28 Sep, 2pm
Come along and meet Aurora Orchestra’s instruments in a fun and interactive family concert.

Alisa Weilerstein
Sat 27 Sep 2025, 3pm and 6pm
In the cellist’s groundbreaking series FRAGMENTS, new music by some of today’s most compelling composers meets the timeless beauty of Bach’s Cello Suites.

Friday Night Is Music Night: Bridgerton and Beyond 
Fri 26 Sep, 7:30pm
Dear Gentle Listener… join the BBC Concert Orchestra for an enchanting evening of music from beloved period dramas in a live edition of the BBC Radio 3 programme.

Manchester Collective: Shaker Loops 
Fri 26 Sep, 7pm
Transcendent music speaks of life, death and divine ecstasy in a concert from the innovative ensemble, inspired by John Adams’ Shaker Loops.

Attacca Quartet: Dowland, Glass & Pärt
Thu 25 Sep, 8pm
The American ensemble performs music from across the ages, including Renaissance music and work from modern minimalist luminaries Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt.

Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto
Sat 27 Sep, 7:30pm
The London Philharmonic Orchestra open their season with Beethoven’s grand and passionate Emperor Concerto led by Yefim Bronfman on piano.

Sean Shibe, 12 Ensemble & GBSR Duo (Double Bill)
Sat 27 Sep, 8pm
Oliver Leith builds a nostalgia-tinged sound-world in his imaginary concert by a fictional band, performed by guitarist Sean Shibe, GBSR Duo and 12 Ensemble.

Chineke! Orchestra
Sun 28 Sep
Chineke! Orchestra celebrates their 10th birthday with concerts from both Chineke! Juniors and the full orchestra (28 Sep).