This Is Rattle
14–24 September 2017
Sir Simon Rattle’s arrival in London heralds a new era for the LSO. To mark his inaugural season as Music Director of the Orchestra, and as Barbican Guildhall Associate Artist, we bring you ten days of celebratory events of which everyone can be a part.
This is a chance to step inside Rattle’s vision of classical music. British composers take centre-stage in the opening concert: there are works by four composers of today (who also curate their own evenings of music, presented by the Barbican), including a new fanfare by Helen Grime. Experience it live in the concert hall, or outdoors with a simulcast in the Barbican Sculpture Court.
Film and documentary screenings in the Barbican cinemas promise to deliver unique insights and new perspectives
on Rattle’s career, while BBC Radio 3, who will be in residence, bring us chamber music performed by some of the artists Rattle has championed.
And, true to Rattle’s own belief that music should be for everybody, there will be plenty of opportunities to join in, with a creative ‘Opera in a Day’ workshop at LSO St Luke’s, and performances by musicians of all ages, including the young people of LSO On Track.
What's On
Thu 14 Sep 6.30pm | Barbican Freestage | The LSO Discovery Choir performs celebratory choral fanfares. | Free, no ticket required | |||
Thu 14 Sep 6.30pm | Barbican Stalls & Circle foyers | Enjoy a free glass of champagne to celebrate the opening of the season. | Free to concert ticket holders | |||
Thu 14 Sep 7.30pm | Barbican Hall | 2017/18 season opening concert: Helen Grime Fanfare Harrison Birtwistle Violin Concerto Thomas Adès Asyla Oliver Knussen Symphony No 3 Elgar 'Enigma' Variations Sir Simon Rattle conductor Christian Tetzlaff violin Broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and Mezzo TV | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/14/705/-/2017-18-season-launch-new-music-britain.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Thu 14 Sep 7.30pm | Barbican Sculpture Court | The concert in the Barbican Hall will be simulcast live to open air big screens and silent headphones to the Sculpture Court above the Hall. Presented by Barbican | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/14/709/-/2017-18-season-launch-scuplture-court-cinema.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Fri 15 Sep 1pm | LSO St Luke's | BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert Artist Spotlight: Ashley Wass Broadcast on 26 September | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/15/706/-/artist-spotlight-ingrid-fliter.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Fri 15 Sep 6.30pm | LSO St Luke's | BBC Radio 3 Rush-Hour Concert Artist Spotlight: Veronika Eberle Broadcast on 27 September | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/15/707/-/artist-spotlight-veronika-eberle.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Sat 16 Sep 11.15am–5pm | Barbican Hall | LSO Discovery Day: Faust in Music Attend a morning discussion about the music power of the Faust legend, then watch Sir Simon Rattle rehearse the LSO in Berlioz' The Damnation of Faust. | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/16/708/-/lso-discovery-day-faust-in-music.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Sat 16 Sep 7.30pm | Milton Court Concert Hall | Oliver Knussen curates: Patrick Brennan Polly Roe Stravinsky Two Poems of Balmont; Three Japanese Lyrics Harrison Birtwistle Silbury Air Oliver Knussen O Hototogisu! Stravinsky Renard Oliver Knussen conductor Birmingham Contemporary Music Group Part of Barbican Presents | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/16/710/-/oliver-knussen-curates.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Sun 17 Sep 10am–4pm | LSO St Luke's | Opera in A Day Spend the day making a brand new opera on the Faust legend and join in a final performance. Suitable for over 7s | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/17/711/-/opera-in-a-day-the-faust-legend.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Sun 17 Sep 2pm | Barbican Cinema 1 | Henry V Kenneth Branagh writes, directs and stars as the eponymous king in this film adaptation of Shakespeare's play, which includes a soundtrack conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Presented by Barbican | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/17/712/-/sir-simon-on-film-henry-v.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Sun 17 Sep 5.30pm | Barbican Centre Foyers | Foyer performances by the LSO Community Choir. | Free, no ticket required | |||
Sun 17 Sep 6pm | Barbican Hall | Berlioz The Damnation of Faust Sir Simon Rattle conductor Karen Cargill Marguerite Bryan Hymel Faust Christopher Purves Mephistopheles Gábor Bretz Brander London Symphony Chorus Simon Halsey chorus director Broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, LSO YouTube channel and medici.tv | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/17/714/-/the-damnation-of-faust.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Mon 18 Sep 12.30pm | LSO St Luke's | LSO Discovery Free Lunchtime Concert Rachel Leach presenter | Free, no ticket required | |||
Mon 18 Sep 7.30pm | Milton Court Concert Hall | Thomas Adès curates: Per Nørgård Hut Ab! Nicholas Maw The Head of Orpheus Judith Weir The Alps Harrison Birtwistle Three settings of Célan Niccolò Castiglioni Vallis Clausa György Kurtág Eletut Osvaldo Golijov Sarajevo John Woolrich A Farewell Thomas Adès/Madness Cardiac Arrest Richard Baker conductor Guildhall School musicians Produced by Barbican and Guildhall School Part of Barbican Presents | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/18/717/-/thomas-ades-curates.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW/button] | |||
Tue 19 Sep 6.30pm | Barbican Centre Foyers | Foyer performances by the LSO Community Choir. | Free, no ticket required | |||
Tue 19 Sep 7pm | Barbican Hall | Berlioz The Damnation of Faust Sir Simon Rattle conductor Karen Cargill Marguerite Bryan Hymel Faust Christopher Purves Mephistopheles Gábor Bretz Brander London Symphony Chorus Simon Halsey chorus director | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/19/715/-/the-damnation-of-faust.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Wed 20 Sep 7.30pm | Milton Court Concert Hall | Helen Grime curates: Purcell Fantasia VII on One Note George Benjamin, Oliver Knussen, Colin Matthews A Purcell Garland Helen Grime Into the Faded Air Britten Sinfonietta Helen Grime A Cold Spring Thomas Adès Court Studies from 'The Tempest' Oliver Knussen Songs Without Voices Stravinsky Dumbarton Oaks Jacqueline Shave director/violin Britten Sinfonia Produced by Barbican & Britten Sinfonia Part of Barbican Presents | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/20/719/-/helen-grime-curates.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Thu 21 Sep 5.30pm | Barbican Cinema 1 | Documentary: The Making of a Maestro This BBC documentary provides unique insights into the working life of conductor Sir Simon Rattle. Presented by Barbican | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/21/721/-/sir-simon-on-film-the-making-of-a-maestro.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Thu 21 Sep 6.30pm | Barbican Centre Foyers | A foyer performance by members of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama brass students | Free, no ticket required | |||
Thu 21 Sep 7pm | Barbican Hall | Stravinsky The Firebird (original ballet) Stravinsky Petrushka (1947 version) Stravinsky The Rite of Spring Sir Simon Rattle conductor Broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/21/748/-/stravinsky-ballets.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Fri 22 Sep 1pm | LSO St Luke's | BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert Artist Spotlight: Olena Tokar Broadcast on 28 September | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/22/750/-/artist-spotlight.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Fri 22 Sep 6.30pm | LSO St Luke's | BBC Radio 3 Rush-Hour Concert Artist Spotlight: Esther Yoo Broadcast on 29 September | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/22/751/-/artist-spotlight.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Sat 23 Sep 7.30pm | Milton Court Concert Hall | Harrison Birtwistle curates: Varèse Octandre Machaut Messe di Nostre Dame Harrison Birtwistle Pulse Sampler Byrd Lamentations Harrison Birtwistle Moth Requiem Martyn Brabbins conductor BBC Singers Recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3 Produced by Barbican and BBC Singers Part of Barbican Presents | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/23/752/-/harrison-birtwistle-curates.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Sun 24 Sep 10.30am | Barbican Centre Foyers | Family activities | Free to concert ticket holders | |||
Sun 24 Sep 12.15pm | Barbican Hall | LSO On Track: Elgar arr Gareth Glyn Variations on an Original Theme 'Enigma' Stravinsky Extracts from The Rite of Spring arr Gareth Glyn Sir Simon Rattle conductor LSO On Track young musicians | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/24/753/-/lso-on-track.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Sun 24 Sep 4pm | Barbican Cinema 1 | Documentary: Rhythm Is It Choreographer Royston Maldoom, Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic stage a performance of Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Rite of Spring with a cast composed entirely of students from Berlin's city schools. Presented by Barbican | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/24/754/-/sir-simon-on-film-rhythm-is-it.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] | |||
Sun 24 Sep 5.30pm | Barbican Foyers | Brass fanfares performed by Guildhall School musicians. | Free, no ticket required | |||
Sun 24 Sep 6pm | Barbican Hall | Stravinsky The Firebird (original ballet) Stravinsky Petrushka (1947 version) Stravinsky The Rite of Spring Sir Simon Rattle conductor Broadcast live on the LSO YouTube channel and classicfm.com | [button link="http://lso.co.uk/whats-on/icalrepeat.detail/2017/09/24/749/-/stravinsky-ballets.html" icon="ticket" bg_color="#e27b12" window="yes"]BOOK NOW[/button] |
Ticket prices and booking information
Full list of ticket prices and information on booking fees
Multi-buy discounts
Book all three LSO season concerts (14 Sep, 17/19 Sep, 21/24 Sep) in this series plus one other from the rest of the 2017/18 season and save 20%. Book three or more This Is Rattle events from the table above and save 10%.
Exhibitions and Installations

Rattle at Radio 3
14–21 September 2017
Barbican Foyer (Level G)
BBC Radio 3 is proud to be an official media partner of the LSO. From concert hall to radio, find out what goes into making live broadcasts of the LSO and Rattle on BBC Radio 3's Live In Concert strand. Delve into the BBC's Rattle archives, have a go at being a BBC Radio 3 presenter, try making a radio show, and recreate the LSO sound under the expert guidance of BBC engineers.
Mix your own multitrack
Join a BBC Radio 3 Sound Engineer for a one-to-one experience, to have a go at mixing a multitracked orchestral recording. No experience needed! Each session will last approx. 25 minutes.
FREE
> Click here for sessions times and to book your place
Produced by Barbican, BBC Radio 3 and LSO. Part of 'This is Rattle' on BBC Radio 3

Less Than Thirteen
14 September–22 December 2017
Barbican Foyers
Less than Thirteen is a large-scale projected artwork, situated in the heart of the Barbican’s foyers, which interprets the movement of Sir Simon Rattle conducting.
The silent, abstract videos reduce the human form to a series of animated dots based on motion capture of Sir Simon’s conducting of Elgar’s Enigma Variations. The work explores the inherent musicality of movement; investigating how the conductor’s movement, although silent, can conjure up such an aural response from the orchestra.
Produced by LSO and Barbican
with thanks to Vicon Motion Systems Ltd, the University of Portsmouth, Christie Digital and The Partners

Interlock: Friends Pictured Within
14 September 2017–7 January 2018
Barbican Foyers (Level G)
A new cross arts multimedia commission by artist Jonathan Munro and musician Anna Meredith, plus over 100 participants from East London, exploring Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
Responding in dance, music, art, illustration, poetry and theatre, participants will capture an artistic response to Elgar’s masterpiece, which will then be digitally captured and placed in the installation for the audience to discover and play.
Produced by Barbican and Guildhall Creative Learning

Exhibition: Rattle
14 September–22 December 2017
Barbican Music Library (Level 2)
To celebrate Sir Simon Rattle's arrival as LSO Music Director in September we have put together a free exhibition of photos and memorabilia covering his musical life to date, with contributions from his family archives, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Barbican and the LSO.
Co-produced by the London Symphony Orchestra and Askonas Holt. Curated by Martin Campbell-White and Edward Smith.
Broadcasts and Webcasts
Even if you are not able to join us in person at the Barbican Centre you can still catch all the LSO's concerts on radio, on TV and online:

BBC Radio 3
Live and on demand for 30 days:
Thursday 14 September 7.30pm
Sunday 17 September 6pm
Thursday 21 September 7pm

Mezzo and Arte Concert
Live to Mezzo TV subscribers in Europe and online to everyone via Arte Concert:
Thursday 14 September 7.30pm

YouTube
Live and on demand for 90 days:
Sunday 17 September 6pm
Sunday 24 September 6pm
Plus on Facebook Live from 5.30pm
#thisisrattle
Keep up to date with what's happening each day via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #ThisIsRattle, and on our daily blog at https://lso.co.uk/thisisrattleblog