Stories

My Barbican: Libby Rice

My Barbican is a feature in the Barbican’s monthly guides, which asks members of staff and residents about their favourite and secret parts of the Centre and Estate. The April issue of the guide featured Libby Rice, our Archivist, who has been working for the LSO for over 43 years – before the Barbican Centre was opened! Here are Libby’s favourite spots. See how many you know, and look out for them on your next visit.

Emma-Kate Matthews Unlocks The Architecture of Music

Emma-Kate Matthews is a current composer on the Panufnik Composers Scheme, and she will be workshopping her new piece A Study of Passing Objects in an Accelerating Landscape at the Panufnik Workshops on Thursday 31 March 2022.

Meet the Composers: Panufnik Workshops 2022 (Part 2)

On Thursday 31 March at LSO St Luke’s, the six composers of the 2020/21 LSO Panufnik Composers Scheme will experience a pivotal point in the process of writing a new piece for orchestra: for the very first time, their musical ideas will be performed by the full forces of the London Symphony Orchestra, and opened up to guidance and feedback from musicians, mentors and peers. Ahead of these free, public workshop sessions, we caught up with the composers to hear about their music and time on the Scheme so far.

Seven Things You Didn't Know About Sibelius

A towering figure in classical music, Sibelius is a national hero in Finland and revered worldwide for his powerful, nature-inspired works that continue to captivate audiences to this day.

Read on to find out seven surprising facts about the composer’s life.

Seven times John Williams wowed the world – and it wasn’t on a film!

It seems unbelievable, but the pre-eminent film composer John Williams turns 90 today.

The Barbican at 40

40 years ago this year, on 3 March 1982, the Barbican Centre opened its doors for the first time, with a performance by the LSO conducted by then Principal Conductor Claudio Abbado, marking their new role of Resident Orchestra of the City of London.

Tales From the Podium with Nathalie Stutzmann

What makes a great conductor? Musicality, ambition, fearlessness? Conductor Nathalie Stutzmann has these qualities by the bucket-load. We spoke to her recently about her return to the Barbican stage on Thursday 27 January with a programme comprising Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Ravel. Read on to find out more about what drew her in to the world of conducting, her concert routines and what she’s looking forward to most in 2022.

Des Oliver on his Jerwood event and new piece: The Diasporic Quartets

This Saturday, composer, filmmaker and LSO Jerwood Composer+ participant Des Oliver unveils two movements of a brand new piece, The Diasporic Quartets, musical portraits of four British-based composers from the African diaspora. Plus we’ll hear music by the four composers themselves, in a carefully curated evening exploring influence and heritage.

Ahead of the concert, we talked to Des Oliver about his musical influences, curating his concert at LSO St Luke’s and what else is keeping him busy.

Snippets from history: Walton & the LSO

On 28 October Antoine Tamestit returns to the Barbican stage as part of his LSO Artist Portrait. The star viola player performs William Walton’s Viola Concerto and Robin Ticciati conducts Brahms Symphony No 4. During his lifetime William Walton had a long and close relationship with the LSO. Read on to discover more about the composer, his history with the LSO and his majestic Viola Concerto.

Snippets from history: Walton & the LSO

During his lifetime William Walton had a long and close relationship with the LSO. Read on to discover more about the composer, his history with the LSO and his majestic Viola Concerto.

The Journey Behind 'D’un matin de printemps'

Find out more about composer Lili Boulanger and the story behind one of her most famous pieces, D’un matin de printemps.

Interview with Antoine Tamestit

We spoke to Antoine Tamestit ahead of his Artist Portrait series in the 2021/22 season, to learn more about his journey to becoming a musician, his relationship with the LSO, and more.