BMW Classics, the London Symphony Orchestra’s free annual outdoor summer concert in Trafalgar Square, took place on Saturday 13 July 2024. Enjoy watching the live-stream recording, which will be available until October.
BMW Classics 2024
Saturday 13 July 2024
Trafalgar Square & Online
Emmanuel Chabrier Joyeuse marche
Johannes Brahms Rondo alla zingarese
Joanna Lee beams.bellows.bounds
(world premiere) *
Igor Stravinsky Petrushka
Duncan Ward conductor
LSO Discovery Young Musicians *
Guildhall School Musicians *
London Symphony Orchestra
The Music
The concert opens with Emmanuel Chabrier’s exuberant crowd-pleasing Joyeuse marche, followed by Brahms’ frenzied, rhythmic dance piece, Rondo alla zingarese.
At the heart of the concert, the LSO play the world premiere of Joanna Lee’s new work, beams.bellows.bounds, specially commissioned for this occasion. This piece, written for a mixed-ability orchestra, brings together LSO and Guildhall School musicians with 50 young musicians from East London as part of the LSO Discovery programme.
For the final work, the LSO will perform Stravinsky’s magical score for the ballet Petrushka.
This annual event highlights the continued partnership between BMW Group and the London Symphony Orchestra, which for over a decade has brought superlative live orchestral music to audiences in one of the world’s most iconic public spaces and to tens of thousands more watching around the globe via streaming.
BMW Classics Playlist
Images © Doug Peters/Kevin Leigton