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BBC SO/Oramo

,Barbican Hall
Sakari clapping his hands joyfully

Mesmeric ballet music commissioned by the extraordinary Ida Rubinstein meets an exquisite piano concerto with a special place in BBC Symphony Orchestra history.

In the early 1910s, the Russian Ida Rubinstein arrived in Paris – unusually tall, precipitously talented and possessing a strange androgynous beauty (as well as a pet tiger). Her effect on the music scene was huge. In 1933, she commissioned Stravinsky to write Persephone, a celebration of spring full of tenderness and beauty. 

A few years earlier she had asked Ravel for a ballet score, which became Boléro – a hypnotic, continuous crescendo over a single rhythm that would become iconic. It may not be a ballet, but Schoenberg’s Piano Concerto, introduced to the UK by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 1945, pits dancing lyricism against rigorous counterpoint to fascinating effect. 
 

Tagged with: Classical music BBC SO 2020-21 BBC Symphony Orchestra 2020-21 Multibuy More...

The performance will finish at approximately 9.15pm. It includes a 20 minute interval.

Programme

  • Ravel   Boléro
  • Schoenberg   Piano Concerto
  • Stravinsky   Perséphone

Performers

  • BBC Symphony Orchestra  
  • Sakari Oramo   conductor
  • François-Frédéric Guy   piano
  • Peter Tantsits   tenor
  • BBC Symphony Chorus  
  • Finchley Children's Music Group  

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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.