The London Symphony Orchestra with Principal Conductor Valery Gergiev will give their next free, open-air concert in London’s Trafalgar Square on Sunday, May 17, 2015. They are delighted to be joined in the Square by violinist Nicola Benedetti, who will perform movements from Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No 1. The event is the fourth annual concert in the BMW LSO Open Air Classics series, all of which have seen a capacity audience enjoying a free performance by the LSO in Trafalgar Square’s iconic setting in the heart of London. BMW LSO Open Air Classics brings the experience of live orchestral performance out of the concert hall and makes it available to everyone. The all-Shostakovich programme also features his Festive Overture and Symphony No 1.
[blockquote right=”pull-right” cite=”Kathryn McDowell CBE DL, Managing Director of the LSO”] It is a great pleasure for the London Symphony Orchestra to be returning to Trafalgar Square to perform the fourth annual BMW LSO Open Air Classics concert on Sunday, May 17. These concerts, the result of our unique partnership with BMW, have created thrilling musical experiences for many thousands of people of all ages in the audience, and for the Orchestra itself. We are thrilled that, once again, our LSO On Track young musicians will be part of the event and it is also wonderful to be able to welcome soloist Nicola Benedetti this year. The LSO is grateful to BMW for their continued commitment to this event, and to the Mayor of London for supporting this highlight in London’s musical diary.[/blockquote]Young musicians from LSO On Track, the remarkable initiative for young instrumentalists from East London, will join members of the LSO and musicians from the Guildhall School on stage for a performances of Shostakovich’s Jazz Suites in a special arrangement by Gareth Glyn.
Paul Rissmann will present the concert, guiding the audience through the music; large screens mounted on either side of the stage will enable the whole audience to witness the concert close up.
NICOLA BENEDETTI is one of the most sought after violinists of her generation; her ability to captivate audiences with her innate musicianship and dynamic presence, coupled with her wide appeal as a high profile advocate for classical music, has made her one of the most influential classical artists of today.
LSO ON TRACK is an initiative for young instrumentalists across East London, in which young musicians are coached and trained by members of the LSO. It brings together the excitement of live performance and the adrenalin rush of making music with others. LSO On Track is a partnership with the Music Services of ten East London boroughs – Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest.
[blockquote right=”pull-right” cite=”Dr Ian Robertson (Hon DSc) Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG”]Classical music matters. Watching and listening to a world-class orchestra like the LSO playing in a stunning open air environment like Trafalgar Square reminds us of how much we can achieve when we work together. This is the fourth year of our partnership with the Orchestra and it’s really great to see how the BMW LSO Open Air Classics concerts always attract thousands of people – many from outside London and many who have never experienced live classical music before. And what an experience it is! Speaking as a Brit, this makes me really proud; speaking on behalf of BMW, we are delighted to play our part in supporting this terrific event, which has become such an important part of London’s cultural landscape.[/blockquote]The performance will begin at 6.30 p.m., though early arrival is essential to secure entry – Full event information at lso.co.uk/openair.
