Intense. Spiritual. Monumental.
John Adams at 80
Sir Simon Rattle
Barbican
Thursday 7 January 2027 • 7pm
Public booking opens Friday 24 April 10am
Priority booking for LSO Supporters:
Friday 17 April 10am Patrons, Pioneers and Ambassador Friends
Monday 20 April 10am All LSO Friends
John Adams
Frenzy: a short symphony (19 mins)
Extract from ‘The Gospel According to the Other Mary’ (9 mins)
Interval
John Adams
Harmonielehre (40 mins)
Sir Simon Rattle conductor
London Symphony Orchestra
The concert will finish at approximately 8.45pm, including a 20-minute interval (timings subject to change).
Concert repeated on 10 January.
Tickets
£75 £56 £39 £27 £18
+ £4 booking fee per online/phone transaction
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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
Experience the breadth of composer John Adams’ art in this concert celebrating his 80th birthday – from relentless, pulsating minimalism to a powerful exploration of faith and social justice.
The Music
One of a handful of true American greats, John Adams has enjoyed a long history with the LSO. This concert is one instalment of a journey into Adams’ unique world, beginning with his ‘symphony in one movement’ Frenzy. As the name might suggest, it’s an urgent, driving piece, built on the back of a single melodic fragment that the composer distorts and transforms throughout.
We’ll also hear an extract from the end of Act 1 of Adams’ powerful 2012 operatic oratorio The Gospel According to the Other Mary, focusing on Mary of Bethany’s account Christ’s final few weeks. To finish, the exhilarating three-movement Harmonielehre blends minimalist drama with neo-Romantic expression.
The Performers
LSO Conductor Emeritus Sir Simon Rattle, one of John Adams’ greatest musical collaborators, is the perfect conductor to breathe life into these spectacular works.
Harmonielehre is the equivalent to John as the Firebird is to Stravinsky.
Sir Simon Rattle
More to Explore
Dreams, Myths and Histories: John Adams' Harmonielehre
A deep dive into John Adams’ symphonic epic.
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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, get help via WhatsApp or send them a text message on 07380 975000.
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%
Keep your discount for any later bookings within the season. Find out more about Multibuy Discounts.
From £12, plus booking fee. Price may rise to £15 or £16, as indicated. Check availability and price using the Wildcard link in the Tickets section above. On the concert night, show your Wildcard order at the Stalls box office to receive a valid ticket worth at least £18 (£15 for Half Six Fix and Symphonic Cinema). Exclusions apply. 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.
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
