Rousing. Moving. Idyllic.
Elgar and Mahler
Sir Antonio Pappano
Barbican
Edward Elgar
Variations on an Original Theme, ‘Enigma’ (29 mins)
Interval
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No 5 (70 mins)
Sir Antonio Pappano conductor
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
Mahler carries us from deep despair to joyful optimism, and Elgar paints affectionate portraits of friends and family.
The Music
Just three years separate the works in this concert. Elgar enjoyed overnight success with his 1899 Enigma Variations, a series of miniature portraits of family and close friends.
Mahler’s mighty Fifth Symphony (1902) transports us from darkness to dazzling light, via one of the most rapturous slow movements in all music.
The Performers
An evening of powerful emotions awaits, as Chief Conductor Antonio Pappano takes the helm in two turn-of-the-century works.
A great performance of the Fifth is a transforming experience.
Herbert von Karajan on Mahler’s Symphony No 5
More to Explore
Sir Antonio Pappano: The 2025/26 Season
Sir Antonio Pappano begins his second season as Chief Conductor of the LSO, with works from British and American composers amongst the highlights.
Five things you didn't know about Elgar
Learn more about Elgar as a composer and a conductor, his relationship with the LSO and some of his unique quirks.
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.
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.
£10 Tickets for Students
Full-time students can book £10 tickets for this concert through Student Pulse London.
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
