Barbican Classical Music 2018/19: sparkling symphonies and soloists
The world's top orchestras and solo artists unveil their programmes for London, and there is something for every musical taste
It sounds like a long time off, but years whizz round in the musical world, and with such demand for certain one-night-only events, forward-planning gets results.
No one with a passion for thrilling orchestral sounds will want to miss the BBC Symphony Orchestra playing Holst's The Planets (29 Sept). But when Professor Brian Cox is also on hand to talk about our knowledge of the spheres, today and at the time of the piece's composition, 100 years before, that's a definite date for the diary.
Further highlights include concerts by Sir Simon Rattle, coaxing musical magic from his London Symphony Orchestra at many of its 40-odd concerts, and exciting programmes by visiting orchestras, including the prestigious Vienna Phil, the colourful Orchestra of Santa Cecilia, Rome playing Mahler (25 May 2019), and the dynamic Australian Chamber Orchestra (22 Oct).
American superstar soprano Joyce DiDonato sings Agrippina on 31 May 2019
Two major centenaries are marked as women celebrate getting the vote in 1918, and the end of the First World War is commemorated.
Joy and tears, songs of praise and lament ... there will be top singers, too, to give voice to our feelings. Look out for Joyce DiDonato returning (31 May 2019) to sing the title role in Handel's Agrippina, and both the St John Passion of JS Bach (19 March 2019) and his B Minor Mass (14 June 2019).
Or catch the latest in new music from those modern classicists Steve Reich and Philip Glass (29 Nov). They both have premieres alongside music by Bach and Handel. And you'll be surprised how well that works. Classical music: it's just magic...
Public booking for Barbican classical music is open. Click here for more details of the whole 10-month season
