Six portraits of America from the first half of the 20th century round off Sir Simon Rattle’s season-long exploration of sources of musical inspiration in toe-tapping style.
Jazz and Latin inevitably predominate in the featured works by Gershwin and Bernstein. Yet both composers fold in other, more classical influences – from the impressionistic swirls of Debussy in An American in Paris to the spiky rhythms of Stravinsky in Three Dance Episodes.
There is a more home-grown and nostalgic feel to the other music in the concert. Military and hymn tunes weave in and out of Charles Ives’ melancholic and typically idiosyncratic Decoration Day. There are fragments of folk melodies peppered throughout Roy Harris’ expansive and shimmering Third Symphony, described by Sir Simon Rattle as one of the symphonic masterpieces of the last century.
A programme of great variety and contrast, yet each composer in their own way quintessentially American.
Duration to be confirmed closer to the event. It includes a 20 minute interval.
Programme
Performers
Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Barbican 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
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users in row U at the rear of the stalls (up to sixteen, depth of row 180cm) and the back row of the circle (four), both with fold-down companion seats. Some seats in row S of the stalls for people with very limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the concert hall where there are a limited number of suitable seats in row G of the stalls. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
There is an induction loop in the concert hall. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
Free large-print programmes
These are available for most of our concerts. Please contact [email protected] at least a week beforehand, to prebook a large-print programmme.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
