François-Xavier Roth & Yuja Wang: Making History

Yuja Wang gives the UK premiere of Magnus Lindberg’s flamboyant new Piano Concerto: outsized inspiration, for a pianist who knows no limits.

The Programme

Beethoven said that his ‘Pastoral’ Symphony was ‘more an expression of feelings than a picture’, but the result is some of the freshest and happiest music ever created. As for Magnus Lindberg’s new Piano Concerto … well, it’s never been heard in the UK before, but everything Lindberg writes causes a sensation. ‘It’s huge’ he says. ‘In a way, it’s the biggest piece I’ve written’.

The Performers

You’d expect no less, because he wrote it specially for our soloist Yuja Wang – probably the most famous pianist in the world right now. ‘Yuja Wang’s pianism inspires a sense of wonder’ wrote one critic after she played solo at the Barbican; tonight, she makes musical history in a concerto that Lindberg says is as dramatic as any opera. And if any pianist can do drama, it’s Yuja Wang.

‘A piano onstage in a big hall – there is nothing more beautiful’ – Magnus Lindberg

Concert Rescheduled

Due to strike action announced by GMB and Unite Union Members, the Barbican will not be able to staff all areas of its operation on Thursday 25 May and regrettably the LSO concert will no longer be able to go ahead on that day. We have been able to reschedule the concert to the day before, Wednesday 24 May, at the revised time of 8.15pm, to allow the earlier Half Six Fix concert to take place as planned the same evening. The programme will remain the same and will run without an interval, to finish at approximately 9.40pm.

Original ticket holders have been contacted by email. For any queries the box office can be contacted via tickets@barbican.org.uk.

Event change posted Thursday 18 May 2.35pm

Header Image © Julia Wesely