A free open-air concert in the heart of London
Saturday 11 June 2022 5pm BST
On Saturday 11 June 2022, a giant temporary stage will once again host Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra for a free concert for an audience of thousands in one of the world’s most iconic public spaces, Trafalgar Square, and to thousands more watching the live stream on YouTube.
The 2022 BMW Classics concert programme opens with George Gershwin’s evocative sunny Cuban Overture. For the central section of the concert, in contrasting mood, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason marks his debut live performance with the Orchestra, playing two sublime masterpieces for cello and orchestra, Bruch’s Kol Nidrei and Bloch’s Prayer from Jewish Life.
This is followed by the world premiere of FAIYA! a specially commissioned work by Ayanna Witter-Johnson. This dance inspired piece written for a mixed-ability orchestra brings together LSO musicians with 55 young musicians from east London as part of the LSO On Track partnership, and 18 students from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. For the final work the upbeat tempo returns with a second Gershwin classic, An American in Paris.
George Gershwin Cuban Overture
Max Bruch Kol Nidrei *
Ernest Bloch Prayer from Jewish Life *
Ayanna Witter-Johnson FAIYA! (world premiere) +
George Gershwin An American in Paris
Sir Simon Rattle conductor
Sheku Kanneh-Mason cello *
LSO On Track Musicians +
London Symphony Orchestra
Entry to the concert is free, but you are advised to arrive early to get a place as this is usually a very popular concert!
Live stream and on demand
Watch the concert live on our YouTube channel, also available on demand for a limited time.
Photos of the 2021 BMW Classics concert
The audience in front of the National Gallery |
The BMW Classics stage at the foot of Nelson's Column |
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Composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson, BMW CEO Chris Brownridge, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and LSO Managing Director Kathryn McDowell |
Composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson and violinist Leia Zhu backstage |
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Leia Zhu performs Saint-Saëns' Introduction and Rondo capriccioso with Sir Simon Rattle |
Sir Simon Rattle conducting the LSO East London Academy |
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Sir Simon Rattle conducting the LSO as dusk falls in the Square |
Sir Simon Rattle leads the cheers at the end of the concert |
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Photos by Mark Allan |
Video
The ending of Saint-Saëns' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, performed by Leia Zhu at the 2021 BMW Classics.