Three composers, three dramatic meditations on Fate and the Day of Judgement. Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony maps a journey from darkness to light, reflecting the crisis of his collapsed marriage.
It’s an emotional white-knuckle ride, from the blazing opening brass fanfare – through pain, anguish, daydreams and nostalgia – ending in hard-won triumph.
Sofia Gubaidulina was one of the first composers to gain ground in the West after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and her Russian Orthodox faith has inspired scores of power and sensuality. The Wrath of God – receiving its London premiere – is no exception. Harnessing large orchestral forces, it contemplates the Day of Judgement in a gripping display of intensity and mystery, cast in cinematic colours.
The Dies irae (the plainchant denoting the ‘Day of Wrath’) lurks within a number of Rachmaninov’s works. The Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is one of them, but what’s more telling is the heart-stoppingly lush 18th Variation, and the dazzling hi-jinks for the piano soloist.
The end time for this performance will be added closer to the performance date
Produced by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Programme
Performers
* The concert will be conducted by Anna Rakitina in place of the originally advertised Alexander Soddy.
Ticket prices
Save 15% with the BBC Symphony Orchestra Feb–Jul 2024 Multibuy.
£10
Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free.
Subject to availability
50% off tickets for under-18s.
Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online.
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.
Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.
Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.
Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats: Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.
20% discount for groups of 10+. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.
Subject to availability.
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.
Browse concerts with the BBC Symphony Orchestra
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.
