Enthralling. Startling. Beguiling.
Bernstein, Liebermann and Dvořák
Anja Bihlmaier and Gareth Davies
Barbican
Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from ‘West Side Story’ (22 mins)
Lowell Liebermann
Flute Concerto No 2 (UK premiere) (20 mins)
Interval
Antonín Dvořák
Symphony No 9, ‘From the New World’ (38 mins)
Anja Bihlmaier conductor
Gareth Davies flute
London Symphony Orchestra
The concert will finish at approximately 8.50pm, including a 20-minute interval (timings subject to change).
Tickets
£72 £56 £39 £26 £18
+ £4 booking fee per online/phone transaction
Wildcard Tickets
£12/£16 + booking fee as above
Check availability and book
Limited releases throughout the season. Guaranteed entry, but your seat is only allocated on the day. Full details
Other Discounts
Save when booking multiple concerts. Discounts also available for young people, students, groups, and Barbican Access Members. Full details
The Concert
An American dream: Dvořák’s ode to the US and Bernstein’s gritty portrait of New York frame a new concerto.
The Music
The Symphonic Dances from West Side Story are Bernstein’s own exhilarating whistle-stop tour through his greatest musical, with dazzling orchestrations and moments of heart-stopping beauty.
We turn next to New York-born composer Lowell Liebermann whose 2023 Flute Concerto No 2 has been lauded for its tunefulness and fizzing energy, and finally Dvořák and his epic hymn to the vast and infinite beauty of rural America.
The Performers
Gareth Davies, the LSO’s Principal Flute, takes to the stage for Liebermann’s concerto, all conducted by one of today’s most dynamic and engaging conductors, Anja Bihlmaier.
I’ve loved Lowell’s music since I first heard his Sonata for Flute when I was at college. His slow movements are simply beautiful, long and heartbreaking melodies which are a joy to play, and this is definitely the case in the new concerto. The last movement, in particular, is a spectacular athletic display and unlike some other flute concertos, Lowell employs a large orchestra with its own voice. It’s a very powerful piece and I’m delighted to be giving the UK premiere surrounded by my colleagues in the LSO.
Gareth Davies, LSO Principal Flute
Filmed for LSO Live
More to Explore
Dvořák on LSO Live
A remastered edition of Dvořák’s Symphonies Nos 6–9, recorded with Sir Colin Davis in LSO Live’s early years, and now available in Spatial Audio.
Related Events
Season Opening: Bernstein and Copland
Sir Antonio Pappano
Sunday 14 September 2025 • 7pm
Dramatic, emotionally intense American symphonies, to start the 2025/26 season: Bernstein's 'Kaddish' and Copland's Symphony No 3, with Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano on the podium.
Half Six Fix: Copland
Sir Antonio Pappano
Wednesday 17 September 2025 • 6.30pm
Kick-start your evening with a 60-minute Half Six Fix concert. Sir Antonio Pappano introduces and conducts Copland's Third Symphony, with screens in the hall to bring you closer to the action.
Prokofiev and Beethoven
Seong-Jin Cho: Artist Portrait
Thursday 18 September 2025 • 7pm
Beethoven’s defiant Symphony No 5 meets the sneering mockery of Shostakovich and Prokofiev in exhilarating mood. Sir Antonio Pappano conducts, as pianist Seong-Jin Cho begins his Artist Portrait series.
Booking and Discounts
Booking Your Tickets
Online at lso.co.uk or barbican.org.uk
By phone on +44 20 7870 2500 (Monday to Friday 12–5.30pm)
In person at the Barbican Centre (no booking fee)
Refunds and Exchanges
Contact the Box Office at least 24 hours before the performance (two weeks for group bookings) to exchange your tickets for another LSO concert or Barbican credit voucher, valid for twelve months. A per-ticket administration fee applies.
The LSO reserves the right to change artists or programmes if necessary. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, all bookers will receive a refund.
Questions About Your Booking?
Contact the Barbican Box Office at tickets@barbican.org.uk.
Visit the Barbican website for conditions of sale.
All discounts are subject to availability and may not be combined.
Multibuy Discounts
Book 2 or 3 concerts, save 10%
Book 4 to 7 concerts, save 20%
Book 8 to 11 concerts, save 30%
Book 12 or more concerts, save 40%
Retain your discount for any later bookings within the season. Find out more about Multibuy Discounts.
Wildcards
£12 or £16 (£12 or £15 for Half Six Fix concerts), plus booking fee. Check availability using the Wildcard link in the Tickets section above. On the concert night, show your Wildcard order email at the Stalls box office to receive a valid ticket worth at least £18 (£15 for Half Six Fix). Find out more about Wildcards.
Young People and Students
18 and under: £6 tickets. Book online, by phone or in person.
14–25s: Join Young Barbican for discounted tickets to selected concerts.
Full-time students: Join Student Pulse for £10 tickets to selected LSO concerts.
Groups of 10+
Save 20% to 30% and enjoy additional benefits. Find out more about group booking.
Access Members
Members of the Barbican’s Access Scheme can book wheelchair places priced at the lowest price for that event and book a free companion seat. Join the Barbican Access Scheme.
Your Visit and Access
Getting to the Barbican
We are based at the Barbican Centre in the City of London. The main entrance to the Barbican is on Silk Street.
What to Expect
From the concert experience to venue facilities, find out what to expect from an LSO concert at the Barbican.
Accessibility
Find maps and guides, and join the Barbican Access Membership Scheme to let us know of your requirements and book access tickets.
Header Image © Mark Allan
