On behalf of Classic FM, I’m delighted to invite you to our ‘Classic FM Recommends’ series, as part of the LSO’s 2026/7 season.
The London Symphony Orchestra is an Official Partner of Classic FM – and one that I’ve worked with personally at certain points in my life, both as a child and adult. For this upcoming series, we have hand-picked several performances that we think will appeal to you. So, whether you fancy treating yourself to the wonder of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, or maybe a night at the opera with Verdi’s La traviata, or perhaps a closer look at the movie music of Alexandre Desplat … this world-class orchestra has something for everyone. Enjoy!
Aled Jones
Classic FM Presenter
The Concerts
Sir Antonio Pappano and Bruce Liu
Sir Antonio Pappano and Bruce Liu
Thursday 26 November 2026 • 7pm
Sir Antonio Pappano continues his acclaimed Vaughan Williams cycle with Symphonies 3 and 8, and is joined by Bruce Liu for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3.
Family Concert
Recommended for children aged 7 to 12 years old
Sunday 13 December 2026 • 2.30pm
A fun opportunity for families to learn more about music and the instruments of the orchestra, with music based on a theme and free workshops before the concert.
Mussorgsky, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky
Gustavo Gimeno and Yuja Wang
Thursday 17 December 2026 • 7pm
A raw Mussorgsky classic, Prokofiev’s dazzling concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake shine in an all‑Russian programme with Gustavo Gimeno and star pianist Yuja Wang.
Mussorgsky, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky
Gustavo Gimeno and Yuja Wang
Sunday 20 December 2026 • 7pm
A raw Mussorgsky classic, Prokofiev’s dazzling concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake shine in an all‑Russian programme with Gustavo Gimeno and star pianist Yuja Wang.
Symphonic Cinema
Ben Gernon and Lucas van Woerkum
Sunday 31 January 2027 • 6pm
Holst’s The Planets meets live‑shaped film in Symphonic Cinema, featuring the UK premiere of LOSS with Emma Thompson and Greg Wise.
Symphonic Cinema
Ben Gernon and Lucas van Woerkum
Sunday 31 January 2027 • 7.45pm
Holst’s The Planets meets live‑shaped film in Symphonic Cinema, featuring the UK premiere of LOSS with Emma Thompson and Greg Wise.
Elgar and Tchaikovsky
Sir Antonio Pappano and Alisa Weilerstein
Thursday 18 February 2027 • 7pm
Two of classical music’s most heart-rending works – Elgar’s intimate, introspective Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s intense, emotional Fifth Symphony – with Sir Antonio Pappano and soloist Alisa Weilerstein.
Schnittke and Stravinsky
Gianandrea Noseda and David Cohen
Sunday 16 May 2027 • 7pm
LSO Principal Cello David Cohen takes centre stage for Schnittke's striking Cello Concerto No 1, ahead of a Stravinsky classic conducted by Gianandrea Noseda.
Verdi: La traviata
Sir Antonio Pappano
Saturday 29 May 2027 • 7pm
Sir Antonio Pappano returns for more dazzling opera-in-concert at the Barbican, this time with one of Verdi's most heartfelt masterpieces.
Verdi: La traviata
Sir Antonio Pappano
Monday 31 May 2027 • 7pm
Sir Antonio Pappano returns for more dazzling opera-in-concert at the Barbican, this time with one of Verdi's most heartfelt masterpieces.
An Evening with Alexandre Desplat
Sunday 13 June 2027 • 7pm
Renowned film music composer Alexandre Desplat rejoins the Orchestra on stage to showcase highlights from his career and their decades-long collaboration.
Header Image © Tom Lovatt
