Enthralling. Startling. Beguiling.
Bernstein, Liebermann and Dvořák
Anja Bihlmaier and Gareth Davies
Thursday 26 March 2026 • 7pm
This event has passed.
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 9pm, 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
Pre-Concert Performance in the Barbican Foyers
Freestage (Level G), from 6.15pm
A free performance by musicians from the Guildhall School, curated by Gareth Davies, LSO Principal Flute. Featuring:
Steve Reich Vermont Counterpoint
Ian Clarke Spells
Gareth McLearnon Seconds on State Street (European premiere)
Guildhall Flutes
Read the Pre-Concert Performance Programme
Concert generously supported by The Huo Family Foundation
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
Britten, Bernstein and Tchaikovsky
Sir Antonio Pappano and Denis Kozhukhin
Sunday 10 May 2026 • 7pm
Sir Antonio Pappano and the LSO and pianist Denis Kozhukhin navigate beauty, grief, and turmoil with Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem, Bernstein’s The Age of Anxiety, and Tchaikovsky’s haunting Pathétique. NB: Change of Artist.
Limited Tickets
Half Six Fix: Enigma Variations
Sir Antonio Pappano
Wednesday 10 June 2026 • 6.30pm
Sir Antonio Pappano guides the audience through Elgar's 'Enigma' Variations, exploring its tender portraits of family members and the unsolved mystery at its core.
Elgar and Mahler
Sir Antonio Pappano
Thursday 11 June 2026 • 7pm
Sir Antonio Pappano and the LSO journey from darkness to light in Mahler's rapturous Fifth Symphony, alongside Elgar's Enigma Variations.
Booking and Discounts
Box Office Information
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)
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.
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.
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.
Offers and Savings
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.
£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). Not available for LSO Discovery Family Concerts or concerts at LSO St Luke’s. Find out more about Wildcards.
18 and under*: £6 tickets, plus booking fee. 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.
* Evening and Half Six Fix concerts are recommended for ages 12+
Save 20% to 30% and enjoy additional benefits. Find out more about group booking.
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
