BMW Classics

A free open-air concert in the heart of London

Sunday 1 July 2018, Trafalgar Square, London

Trafalgar Square was transformed into a giant free music stage for Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra to present BMW Classics on Sunday 1 July 2018.

Simon Rattle took to the stage to conduct 100 musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra, alongside 70 young musicians from the LSO On Track programme in East London and musicians from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

The programme featured music on a theme of dance and ballet by Dvořák, Massenet, Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky and included a world premiere – Sky Dances – by Kate Whitley, founder of Peckham's Multi-Story Orchestra.

This year's performance was part of an exciting new festival promoted by the Mayor of London – Sounds Like London – with a focus on women in music.

Blog

Nicole Wilson, violinist, broadcaster, journalist and founder of Musical Orbit, has been following our young musicians from LSO On Track and the Guildhall School as they get ready for a busy and exciting few days ahead. She went down to Trafalgar Square to see how they got on in Kate Whitley's Sky Dances.

> Read the blog

Photos

• BMW Classics in Trafalgar Square 2018 BMW Classics in Trafalgar Square 2018
• Composer Kate Whitley with Sir Simon Rattle Composer Kate Whitley with Sir Simon Rattle
• LSO On Track young musicians with the Mayor of London LSO On Track young musicians with the Mayor of London
• A volunteer hands out badges to the audience A volunteer hands out badges to the audience
• LSO On Track bass player with Sir Simon Rattle LSO On Track bass player with Sir Simon Rattle
• LSO On Track trumpeters LSO On Track trumpeters
• Audience in the square Audience in the square
• Sir Simon Rattle conducts the LSO On Track & Guildhall School musicians with the LSO Sir Simon Rattle conducts the LSO On Track & Guildhall School musicians with the LSO
• The LSO in Trafalgar Square The LSO in Trafalgar Square
• Sir Simon Rattle Sir Simon Rattle
• The LSO in Trafalgar Square The LSO in Trafalgar Square
• Audience in the square Audience in the square
• Sir Simon Rattle thanks the audience Sir Simon Rattle thanks the audience
• Kathryn McDowell and Sir Simon Rattle in the branded BMW Kathryn McDowell and Sir Simon Rattle in the branded BMW
• Kathryn McDowell and Sir Simon Rattle in the branded BMW Kathryn McDowell and Sir Simon Rattle in the branded BMW
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Behind the scenes