Elim Chan is at the controls when space traveller Kepler lands at the Barbican. Photo: Willeke Machiels

All aboard a whistlestop tour through orchestral music, with an unusual travelling companion. Keplar has arrived from outer space, and only our music from throughout the ages can help her make sense of Planet Earth.

Seven to 12-year-olds are invited on her journey through music, with the London Symphony Orchestra playing extracts along the way from Beethoven, Shostakovich and a whole craftful of other composers.

At the helm is conductor Elim Chan, the Hong Kong-born first ever woman to win, in 2014, the important Donatella Flick Conducting Competition. As well as working with the London Symphony Orchestra, she is Principal Conductor of the Orchestra of Norrlands Operan and is the new Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

She will guide Keplar, and young audiences, through excerpts from Richard Strauss's imposing Also Sprach Zarathustra, John Adams' thrilling Short Ride in a Fast Machine and Beethoven's powerful Symphony No 5.

The audience will need to help out when it comes to Jupiter from Holst's The Planets, and there will be drama from Shostakovich and flying thrills from John Williams' irresistible music for E.T.

This concert for the whole family is one of a series. Watch Culture Whisper for more classical music for growing ears.

by Claudia Pritchard

What	Voyager, London Symphony Orchestra, Barbican
Where	Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS \| MAP
Nearest tube	Barbican (underground)
When	On 08 Jul 18, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Price	£5 - £15
Website	Click here for more information and booking