London. Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) perform live in Trafalgar Square on Saturday June 10, 2023 at 5.00pm. This free summer concert highlights the continued partnership between BMW Group and the London Symphony Orchestra, which for the last twelve years has brought superlative live orchestral music to audiences in one of the world’s most iconic public spaces, Trafalgar Square, and to thousands more around the globe watching on YouTube.
The 2023 BMW CLASSICS concert programme opens with Igor Stravinsky’s four minute ‘short orchestral fantasy’ Fireworks, followed by the first movement of John Adams’ energetic and explosive masterpiece for large-scale orchestra, Harmonielehre. For the central section of the concert, the LSO play the world premiere of Eloise Gynn’s new work, Light Dancing, specially commissioned for this occasion. This dance inspired piece written for a mixed-ability orchestra brings together LSO musicians with 55 young musicians from east London as part of the LSO On Track partnership, and 18 students from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. For the final half of the concert, Sir Simon and the LSO will perform two popular French Impressionist masterpieces, Claude Debussy’s La Mer and Maurice Ravel’s Boléro. Last year the crowd was thrilled by the ‘Main Title’ from Star Wars as a surprise addition to the programme, so perhaps there will be something as equally memorable in 2023!
Commenting today, Sir Simon Rattle, Music Director of LSO said: “These BMW CLASSICS concerts are a highlight of my summer; nothing quite beats performing to a crowd of appreciative music fans on a sunny evening in London with the Orchestra joined by young musicians from the LSO On Track partnership. This year I am particularly looking forward to bringing the opening part of John Adams’ epic Harmonielehre to a broader audience, for me this is one of the great big scale 20th century orchestral masterpieces, which never fails to gain new fans with every outing. The audience will be blown away. On behalf of the LSO and our audiences in Trafalgar Square and online, a big thank you to BMW and the Mayor of London for making this possible.”
Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, People and Real Estate, Labour Relations Director: “Thanks to our 12-year partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra, this summer Trafalgar Square will turn into London’s biggest concert hall. BMW’s commitment to great music is an integral part of our global cultural engagement, which has been inspiring people around the world for more than half a century. I am very much looking forward to seeing Sir Simon Rattle, the LSO and young musicians on stage in one of the world’s most famous public spaces.”
“This summer Trafalgar Square will once again be transformed into the capital’s biggest open-air classical concert venue allowing Londoners and visitors to enjoy an inspiring performance by Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra. I’m delighted these outstanding young East London musicians will join the world-renowned orchestra for the performance, showcasing the next generation of musical talent and firmly reiterating our position as a global city of music as we build a better and more vibrant London for everyone”, said the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Composer, Eloise Gynn: “It is a huge privilege to have my new piece Light Dancing played by the LSO and this great group of young London musicians. I look forward to spending time with them over the forthcoming months as we bring the piece to life. The prospect of it being part of the BMW Classic concert in Trafalgar Square is beyond thrilling.”
