BBC Orchestras and Choirs Events
Fri 1 May 2026
- 20:00Royal Northern College of Music
We continue our thrillingly up-close series at the RNCM with a heavyweight artistic collaboration – our Chief Conductor John Storgårds joins the acclaimed pianist Tamara Stefanovich in this exploration of the pure power of the piano.
We continue our thrillingly up-close series at the RNCM with a heavyweight artistic collaboration – our Chief Conductor John Storgårds joins the acclaimed pianist Tamara Stefanovich in this exploration of the pure power of the piano.
Programme
- Concerto for piano and wind instruments
- Grand Pianola Music
Performers
- John StorgårdsConductor
- Tamara Stefanovichpiano
Composers
Sat 2 May 2026
- 18:25City Halls
Hannah Kendall’s music is “searingly impactful” (The New Statesman), bridging musical cultures while both honouring and challenging contemporary traditions. Ilan Volkov conducts '...I may turn to salt', inspired by poet Lemn Sissay's 'Godsell'.
Hannah Kendall’s music is “searingly impactful” (The New Statesman), bridging musical cultures while both honouring and challenging contemporary traditions. Ilan Volkov conducts '...I may turn to salt', inspired by poet Lemn Sissay's 'Godsell'.
Part ofTectonics 2026 - 19:00City Halls
Discover the artists and music from Day 1 of Tectonics with BBC Radio 3’s Kate Molleson.
Part ofTectonics 2026 - 20:00City Halls
Ilan Volkov conducts the first of two evening concerts with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Saturday's concert features a world premiere and BBC Commission by Christopher Fox, plus UK premieres by Laura Bowler and Angélica Castelló.
Ilan Volkov conducts the first of two evening concerts with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Saturday's concert features a world premiere and BBC Commission by Christopher Fox, plus UK premieres by Laura Bowler and Angélica Castelló.
Programme
- Things Are Against UsUK Premiere
- interval
- Star Washers(for orchestra and electronics) (UK Premiere)
- Minding the hive(for quartertone accordion and orchestra) (World Premiere, BBC Commission)
Performers
- Angélica Castellóelectronics
- GBSR Duopiano and percussion
- Laura Bowlervocalist
- Lore Amenabar Larrañagaquarter-tone accordion
- Ilan VolkovConductor
Part ofTectonics 2026 - 21:30City Halls
Callie Rose Petal is a multidisciplinary conceptual artist & semiotician, creator of theory-fiction field (Lexicomythography) comprising language art, ritual composition & software. She confronts the violence of language through the language of violence.
Part ofTectonics 2026
Wed 29 Apr 2026
- 19:30Southbank Centre, London
Mat Collishaw’s video installation reimagines Liszt’s Dante Symphony, performed live by the BBC Concert Orchestra, with modern-day visions of collapse.
Mat Collishaw’s video installation reimagines Liszt’s Dante Symphony, performed live by the BBC Concert Orchestra, with modern-day visions of collapse.
Programme
- Dante Symphony
Performers
- Jérôme Kuhnconductor
- TaliaBlerapper and spoken word artist
Composers
Tue 28 Apr 2026
- 14:30Maida Vale Studios
Passions run high as countertenor Hugh Cutting sings Jonathan Dove’s dramatic Hojoki – plus orchestral showstoppers by Liszt and Dorothy Howell.
Passions run high as countertenor Hugh Cutting sings Jonathan Dove’s dramatic Hojoki – plus orchestral showstoppers by Liszt and Dorothy Howell.
Programme
- Hojoki
- Lamia
- Symphonic Poem No. 3 'Les Préludes', S 97
Performers
- Martijn Dendievelconductor
- Hugh Cuttingcountertenor
Composers
Part ofBBC Symphony Orchestra 2025/26
Sat 25 Apr 2026
- 19:30The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Wolfe was two blocks from the Twin Towers when the planes hit on September 11, 2001. *Big Beautiful Dark and Scary* is the sound of that aftermath: an ominous, awesome wall of sound.
Wolfe was two blocks from the Twin Towers when the planes hit on September 11, 2001. *Big Beautiful Dark and Scary* is the sound of that aftermath: an ominous, awesome wall of sound.
Programme
- Big Beautiful Dark and Scary
- Violin Concerto
- Symphonie fantastique
Performers
- Anja Bihlmaierconductor
- Bomsori Kimviolin
Fri 24 Apr 2026
- 19:30Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
From The King’s Speech to Amadeus; Out of Africa to 2001 A Space Odyssey, the BBC Concert Orchestra celebrates the classics from the movies – live, in Nottingham.
From The King’s Speech to Amadeus; Out of Africa to 2001 A Space Odyssey, the BBC Concert Orchestra celebrates the classics from the movies – live, in Nottingham.
Programme
- The Marriage of Figaro – overtureFeatured in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, King's Speech
- Symphony No. 7 in A majorSecond Movement (Allegretto). Featured in The Kings Speech
- Carmen Suite No 2 (Habanera)Featured in Up
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minorSecond Movement. Featured in A Brief Encounter
- ElleMain Title
- Clarinet Concerto in A majorSecond Movement. Featured in Out of Africa
- Chocolat Main Title
- Piano Concerto No. 22 in E flat majorThird Movement. Featured in Amadeus
- 4 Polonaises, op. 1Featured in Anger Management
- By the Beautiful Blue Danube – waltzFeatured in Squid Game and A Space Odyssey
Performers
- Clare Hammondpiano
- Karen Ní Bhroinconductor
- 19:30Barbican, London
Hollywood dreams meet all-American nightmares. Fabien Gabel conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in music from Vertigo and The Sea Hawk – and dives into the myths and memories of a new American century.
Hollywood dreams meet all-American nightmares. Fabien Gabel conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in music from Vertigo and The Sea Hawk – and dives into the myths and memories of a new American century.
Programme
- Suite from 'Vertigo'
- Bestia: Concerto for Trumpet & OrchestraBBC Co-Commission and World Premiere
- interval
- Suite from 'Fire Shut Up in My Bones'
- The Sea Hawk
Performers
- Fabien Gabelconductor
- Selina Otttrumpet



















