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BBC SO/Stasevska

90th birthday celebration

Dalia's arms outstretched as she conducts

Join us as we celebrate ninety years of the BBC’s flagship orchestra with music that dazzles, frolics and marks its pivotal role in broadcasting and music history. 

On 22 October 1930, the BBC Symphony Orchestra gave its first public concert under the baton of Sir Adrian Boult, becoming London’s first full-time, salaried symphony orchestra. Ninety years on, BBC SO welcome Principal Guest Conductor Dalia Stasevska to conduct brand new music in celebration and works this orchestra presented to Britain for the first time. 

Roderick Williams and Johan Dalene join the orchestra for poignant and celebratory works and the concert culminates with the dazzling massed trumpets of Leoš Janáček’s larger-than-life Sinfonietta, which the BBC Symphony Orchestra introduced to Britain in its infancy.   

The performance will finish at approximately 9:30pm. It includes a 20 minute interval.

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an orchestra playing classical music in the barbican hall in central london

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Barbican Hall