Rachmaninoff and Saint-Saëns 'Organ' Symphony

The Concert

Berlioz goes to a Roman Carnival, Saint-Saëns gives a Symphony from the organ, and Serge Rachmaninoff shows youthful exuberance in his First Piano Concerto.

The Music

Berlioz is on dashing form in his Roman Carnival Overture, a sparkling concert piece that was originally intended for an opera.

The First Piano Concerto was written when Rachmaninoff was just 18 years old and studying at the Moscow Conservatory. He revised the work 26 years later as a much more experienced, and ever self-critical, composer, but it nevertheless retains its original youthful freshness and bold ambition.

The organ has to wait a while for its big moment in Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No 3, but it is well worth it. In the build-up are typically sumptuous melodies and some high drama for the orchestra.

The Performers

Anna Lapwood brings her customary flair to join Sir Antonio Pappano and the LSO in the Saint-Säens, while Yuja Wang’s technical brilliance is perfect for Rachmaninoff’s demanding concertos.

Read the programme

Pre-Concert Performance in the Barbican Foyers

Freestage (Level G), from 6.25pm

A free performance of orchestral music devised and performed by LSO Create, our creative music workshops for disabled, non disabled and/or neurodiverse adults, their supporters and carers, alongside LSO Musicians.

London Carnival by LSO Create
Performed by LSO Create and LSO Musicians with conductor and presenter Mark Withers

Read the pre-concert programme

LSO Pathways is kindly supported by the Andor Charitable Trust, Anthony and Elizabeth Mellows Charitable Settlement, David Solomons Charitable Foundation, Rothenberg Charitable Foundation and The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers

Post-Concert Book Signing with Sir Antonio Pappano

Join us after the concert on Level -1. Copies of Sir Antonio Pappano’s new memoir My Life in Music will be available to purchase at the signing.

View in Barbican bookshop

Generously supported by The Huo Family Foundation

Change of programme

Please note that the concertos being performed in the LSO concerts with Yuja Wang at the Barbican on 15 and 19 September have now changed at the request of the soloist. On 15 September Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 1 will replace Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 4, and on 19 September Chopin’s Piano Concerto No 2 will replace Bartok’s Piano Concerto No 2.
Posted 17 May 2024