Colourful. Cinematic. Jubilant.
Holst, Korngold and Shostakovich
Sir Antonio Pappano and Vilde Frang
Thursday 16 April 2026 • 7pm
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Imogen Holst
Persephone (12 mins)
Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Violin Concerto (24 mins)
Interval
Dmitri Shostakovich
Symphony No 5 (45 mins)
Sir Antonio Pappano conductor
Vilde Frang violin
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
Korngold tugs at the heart in his Hollywood-flavoured concerto, while Shostakovich’s Fifth unleashes big tunes and white-hot intensity.
The Music
By the time Korngold had begun his 1945 Violin Concerto, the Austrian composer had scored the soundtracks for fifteen Hollywood films. You’ll hear that cinematic sheen in his wonderful concerto, from its sweeping opening to the helter-skelter hoe-down of the finale.
In his Fifth Symphony, Shostakovich proved his music could achieve mass appeal, as Stalin demanded. But beneath its brilliant tunes lies a darker, more sardonic work …
The concert begins with Imogen Holst’s Persephone, a beautifully orchestrated depiction of the mythical character, with hints of Debussy and Ravel in the music.
The Performers
Joining the LSO and Sir Antonio Pappano is Norwegian superstar violinist Vilde Frang, who brings a touch of magic to Korngold’s gilded concerto.
It’s a piece that just shines. It’s very filmic, cinematic, and speaks of an era of the 1920s and 1930s, the burgeoning cinema, the talkies, Robin Hood and Errol Flynn … It’s just fantastic.
Sir Antonio Pappano on Korngold’s Violin Concerto
Recorded for future broadcast by Mezzo and medici.tv
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.
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.
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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
