Season Opening: MacMillan and Sibelius 1

The Concert

Sir Antonio Pappano opens a new chapter as Chief Conductor of the LSO, conjuring stunning landscapes from Nielsen and Sibelius – and a world premiere by Sir James MacMillan.

The Music

Sunrise lights up the sparkling Aegean seas: the cinematic opening of Nielsen’s Helios Overture ushers in a new season with Sir Antonio Pappano, Chief Conductor, at the helm.

James MacMillan has explored the concerto in a kaleidoscope of forms – from saxophone to organ to percussion. This time he places the whole orchestra in the spotlight in his brand new Concerto for Orchestra, ‘Ghosts’ – a thrilling showpiece for the musicians of the LSO.

The first of Sibelius’ seven symphonies is bursting with melodic invention and beautiful solos for woodwind and strings. In Pappano’s own words, ‘I hear those typical Sibelian evocations of nature, and the primeval history of that land’ – concluding a programme that evokes light, sky and landscape.

The Performers

The LSO and Pappano give vivid life to spectacular orchestral colours, with every instrument getting their moment in the sun – a radiant programme to usher in a new era.

I’ve been conducting the LSO since 1996, and we’re embarking on a new chapter together – and it’s a gift from heaven. The sky is the limit when you are working with musicians like this.
Sir Antonio Pappano, LSO Chief Conductor

Read the programme

Join us for a complimentary glass of sparkling wine

All ticket holders for our concert are invited to celebrate the start of our 2024/25 season with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. We very much look forward to toasting this special moment in the Orchestra’s history with you! Celebratory drinks kindly provided by Nyetimber, in partnership between the LSO and the Barbican.

Please visit the dedicated pop-up bars on the Ground Floor or on Level Minus 1 during the interval and show your concert ticket to receive your complimentary glass of sparkling wine, or non-alcoholic alternative*.

Conditions:

Available interval only
Drinks are not allowed in the concert hall, so please collect in good time to enjoy your drink
Offer is limited to 1 drink per ticket holder only
Sparkling wine available to over 18s only
Only available on 11 September 2024 

Pre-Concert Performance in the Barbican Foyers

Barbican Foyers, from 6.30pm

A free performance of fanfares by emerging orchestral and LSO Musicians.

Fanfares by Cassie Kinoshi, Lodovico Grossi da Viadana and Aaron Copland
Performed by LSO Pathways, Guildhall School/Orchestral Artistry and LSO Musicians with conductor Karen Ní Bhroin

LSO Pathways is kindly supported by The Thistle Trust

Concert recorded for future broadcast by Marquee TV and BBC Radio 3

Concerto for Orchestra commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra and co-comissioned by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and  Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra with the support of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.