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London Symphony Orchestra: Things to Come

,Hall
Black and white still from Things to Come with two characters in conversation

The Ronald Grant Archive

Alexander Korda’s cinematic vision of the future, with Arthur Bliss’s classic score played live by the orchestra who originally recorded it – the London Symphony Orchestra.

Imagine a future of shining cities, global travel and endless leisure for art and science. But first, a half-century of horror – of terror, war and global pandemic. Incredibly, Alexander Korda’s film Things to Come saw it all in 1936: transforming H G Wells’s novel into a stunning Art Deco vision of a future that now seems startlingly real.

Things to Come has lost none of its prophetic power, and its dazzling designs and commanding central performances make it one of the enduring landmarks of 1930s cinema. The LSO recorded the original score back in 1936, and tonight, for this one-off screening it plays Sir Arthur Bliss’s music live with the film. No crackles, no wonky sound, just the thrilling sweep of one of the greatest of all British film scores.

'All the universe, or nothingness? Which shall it be? Which shall it be?' – Things to Come

Tagged with: Classical music London Symphony Orchestra Multibuy - Feb-Jun 2023 London Symphony Orchestra More...

End time approximately 9.30pm. This performance includes a 20-minute interval.

Co-produced by the Barbican and London Symphony Orchestra
In cooperation with the Europäische FilmPhilharmonie EFPI - GmbH
The LSO acknowledges the support of the Bliss Trust

Programme

  • Arthur Bliss   Things to Come

Performers

  • London Symphony Orchestra  
  • Frank Strobel   conductor

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Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
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Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

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