Brahms’ most lyrical symphony meets three composers who redefined the power of sound. For Sir Simon Rattle, Wagner, Ligeti, Webern and Brahms all speak to each other, and to us.
Not all revolutions are noisy. Wagner’s rapturous visions, Webern’s haunted Viennese miniatures and Ligeti’s mind-expanding soundscape all break music down to its elements to create sounds that defy the imagination. Together, they make a ravishing prelude to Brahms’ sunniest symphony.
And they’re all about the emotional power of sound. Brahms wrote his Second Symphony while on holiday in the Austrian Alps, but as Rattle has said, it’s ‘far from conventional’ – and Brahms’ way of shaping and colouring a melody was the launch pad for Webern’s and Ligeti’s imaginations, as well as a powerful challenge to Wagner. Together, they’re a tonic for the ears as well as the heart.
The performance is expected to finish around 9.30pm, including 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.
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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.
