Rózsa Violin Concerto
-Interval-
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
Kirill Karabits conductor
Roman Simovic violin
London Symphony Orchestra
Tickets: £60 £48 £35 £24 £18
£3 online booking fee, £4 telephone booking fee per transaction - click here for more information on booking fees
Discounts:
Discounts
£10/£15 Wildcard tickets
Check for Wildcards
> Wildcard info and T&Cs
Multibuys
> More info
Young people
£5 for under-18s
Young Barbican 14–25
> More info
Groups
> More info
Barbican Access members
> More info
Please note that finish times are approximate and subject to change.
Kirill Karabits conducts Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra – plus a rare performance of the Violin Concerto by Bartók’s fellow-Hungarian (and Hollywood legend) Miklós Rózsa.
New worlds for old: from exile in America, Béla Bartók and Miklós Rózsa both longed for their native Hungary. Bartók imagined the nocturnal sounds of the Great Hungarian Plain, and transformed them into a defiant shout of hope and joy for a virtuoso orchestra. Rozsa, meanwhile, took time out from Hollywood to write a violin concerto that sings, dances and positively smoulders.
It all adds up to a fabulously red-blooded evening of music from Kirill Karabits and LSO leader Roman Simovic: expect dark secrets, untamed melodies, and folk-rhythms in the raw. But it’s also a portrait of two composers grappling with the 20th century on their own, undaunted, terms. Today, Rózsa is still probably best known for classic film scores like Ben-Hur and Lust for Life: this rare performance of his Violin Concerto shows that even without the pictures, he can hold an audience spellbound.
Change of conductor
Sir Simon Rattle has tested positive for COVID-19 and unfortunately is unable to fulfil his engagements with the LSO this month.
He is currently isolating at home, with mild symptoms. We send him our very best wishes for a speedy recovery.
We are pleased to announce that Kirill Karabits has agreed to step in to conduct the concerts at the Barbican on 8, 9,15 & 16 December, and at Philharmonie de Paris on 13 December. The programmes for all concerts remain as announced.
Ticket holders will be notified.
Posted 11am Fri 3 Dec
Following the relaxation of Government restrictions, from the start of the 2021/22 season seating will no longer be socially-distanced in the Barbican Hall. We encourage audience members to bring and wear a face covering, unless you are exempt. Click here for the latest infomation on the measures that are being taken for the safety and comfort of visitors to the Barbican Centre.
Audience members who would prefer to sit in a socially distanced environment can choose to book seats in the Balcony for this concert.
Available seats will be spaced 1 metre apart, and are indicated by an information flag when making your selection during the booking process. Those booking two or more adjacent seats are welcome to move together to sit as one group on the evening of the concert. All audience members are encouraged to wear a face covering unless exempt.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
The Barbican Centre is fully accessible. Please visit this page for full details or contact us at [email protected] at any point ahead of your visit to let us know how we can support you.
Find out more about the music and performers with our concert programme.
Download the concert programme (PDF)
You can pick up a free printed programme before the concert, or download a PDF to view in advance. We ask you not to read programmes on your phone during the concert.