Sweeping. Atmospheric. Brooding.
Elgar and Vaughan Williams 9
Sir Antonio Pappano and David Cohen
Barbican
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Symphony No 9 (30 mins)
Interval
Edward Elgar
Cello Concerto (30 mins)
Arnold Bax
Tintagel (13 mins)
Sir Antonio Pappano conductor
David Cohen cello
London Symphony Orchestra
The concert will finish at approximately 8.55pm, including a 20-minute interval (timings subject to change).
Tickets
£70 £55 £39 £26 £18
+ £4 booking fee per online/phone transaction
Save on Your Booking
Wildcards
£12/£16 + booking fee as above
Guaranteed entry. Your seat will only be allocated on the day.
Limited releases throughout the season. Full details
Other Discounts
Multibuy Discounts: save up to 40%
Discounts for 18s-and-under, 14–25s and full-time students
Groups of 10+ save at least 20%
Free companion tickets for Barbican Access Members
Full details on all discounts below
The Concert
Two reflective works from Ralph Vaughan Williams and Edward Elgar, plus Arnold Bax’s evocative portrait of the Cornish countryside.
The Music
At the time of his last symphony, Vaughan Williams had seen the damage of two world wars. The Ninth is a magnificent final statement, balancing dark with warmth, and dread with hope.
Reminiscent, ruminating and spiralling: Elgar’s Cello Concerto is unlike his early works and yet remains one of his most popular, from its unforgettable opening gesture, voiced by the cello, to its haunting themes.
Bax’s symphonic poem paints Tintagel Castle on a ‘sunny but not windless day’, evoking the characters who once inhabited it.
The Performers
In his first season as Chief Conductor, Sir Antonio Pappano places the spotlight on these late-career British works. Principal Cello David Cohen steps into the solo spot for the elegiac concerto.
A mellow glow suffuses the work … [Vaughan Williams’] Ninth Symphony is a masterpiece.
The New York Times
LSO Friends’ Supported Concert
LSO Friends enjoy opportunities to get closer to the magic on-stage throughout the year.
Join the LSO Friends
Dive Deeper
You Might Like
Tippett, Turnage and Vaughan Williams 5
Sir Simon Rattle and John Scofield
Sunday 12 January 2025 • 7pm
An all-British programme of Tippett, Turnage and Vaughan Williams featuring guitarist John Scofield, to celebrate Sir Simon Rattle’s 70th birthday.
Maconchy, Walton and Vaughan Williams 1
Sir Antonio Pappano and Rebecca Gilliver
Sunday 9 February 2025 • 7pm
Evocative portraits of night and the sea in an all-British programme: enigmatic Maconchy, meditative Walton, and awe-inspiring Vaughan Williams, in his 'Sea Symphony'.
Christmas Swing: Gershwin, Bernstein and Tchaikovsky
Sir Antonio Pappano and Frank Dupree
Wednesday 18 December 2024 • 7pm
Classical meets jazz with some festive favourites – plus a riotous ride with Kapustin, Gershwin’s most swinging tunes, and Bernstein at his exuberant best. Sir Antonio Pappano is joined by pianist Frank Dupree and the LSO's own Sérgio Pires.
Limited Tickets
Christmas Swing: Gershwin, Bernstein and Tchaikovsky
Sir Antonio Pappano and Frank Dupree
Thursday 19 December 2024 • 7pm
Classical meets jazz with some festive favourites – plus a riotous ride with Kapustin, Gershwin’s most swinging tunes, and Bernstein at his exuberant best. Sir Antonio Pappano is joined by pianist Frank Dupree and the LSO's own Sérgio Pires.
Limited Tickets
Half Six Fix: Walton
Sir Antonio Pappano
Wednesday 5 February 2025 • 6.30pm
Kick-start your evening with a 60-minute Half Six Fix concert, introduced by the performers, with screens in the hall to bring you closer to the action.
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 six 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 (£10 or £15 for Half Six Fix concerts), plus booking fee. Check availability using the Wildcards button 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 £6 or £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