London Symphony Orchestra and Valery Gergiev Give a Free Concert in Trafalgar Square

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MONDAY 27 MAY 2013 AT 6.30 PM



Following the outstandingly successful first open-air, free concert in May 2012, the London Symphony Orchestra in partnership with BMW and the Mayor of London is returning to Trafalgar Square this year. The next annual BMW LSO Open Air Classics concert, which last year attracted an audience estimated in the press to be up to 10,000 people, will take place in the square on Monday 27 May 2013, Spring Bank Holiday Monday, at 6.30 pm. Principal Conductor of the LSO, Valery Gergiev will conduct an all-Berlioz programme. The aim of BMW LSO Open Air Classics is to bring outstanding music performed in the open air – free for everyone in an informal atmosphere.

Gergiev and the LSO will perform Berlioz’s Overture Le corsaire, and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. In a performance of a specially arranged version of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique by Gareth Glyn 80 young musicians including conservatoire students and LSO On Track young musicians from LSO Discovery, the Orchestra’s award-winning music education and community programme, will play alongside the LSO players. LSO animateur and composer Rachel Leach will present the concert from the stage, guiding the audience through the music. Large screens will be mounted on either side of the stage to allow the audience to witness the concert up close.

Young Londoners who have benefited from the Mayor's Music Fund will be also attending the concert. The charity gives support to young people with musical potential whose families cannot always meet the cost of instrumental tuition, and provides opportunities for them to meet and even play with professionals.

Valery Gergiev has commented:
“I am delighted to return to Trafalgar Square with the London Symphony Orchestra after our outstanding success last year. Performing Berlioz’s brilliant Symphonie fantastique to a vast crowd of every age in one of London’s iconic locations is again a unique opportunity to reach a new audience beyond the concert hall. The inspired partnership of BMW and the LSO has created the experience of the music of a great orchestra free, for everyone – I am thrilled.”

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
“It's fantastic to have Valery Gergiev and the LSO returning to Trafalgar Square. I have no doubt the chance to listen to stirring music in this incomparable location will again draw large crowds. It's a terrific opportunity for even more people to experience classical music. I'm especially pleased that some of the Mayor's Music Scholars will get to meet members of the orchestra and hope it will spur them in their ambitions to become great musicians themselves.”

Dr Ian Robertson (HonDSc) Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, has said:
“The tremendous success of the ‘BMW LSO Open Air Classics’ premiere at Trafalgar Square in May 2012 confirms once again our appreciation for this long-term cooperation. With the LSO we have not only a highly valuable partner, but also another first-class orchestra to offer open live concerts in London, alongside those already offered to audiences in Munich and Berlin. We are looking forward to working together over the coming years and to further musical open-air highlights!”

Kathryn McDowell Managing Director of the LSO, has said:
“Playing to over 10,000 people at the BMW LSO Open Air Classics concert in Trafalgar Square was a major highlight of 2012 for the LSO and we are delighted to be returning to the heart of London again this year with Valery Gergiev and the LSO performing Symphonie fantastique in an all Berlioz programme. In BMW we have found a partner who shares our enthusiasm and desire to build on last year’s success and bring the thrill of orchestral music to thousands more people. The LSO is grateful to the Mayor of London for supporting this event and together we look forward to establishing this free open air concert as an annual highlight in London’s cultural diary”.

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