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The Royal Festival Hall is closed on Thursday 3 September, re-opening at 5pm to ticket holders only for Letters Live at 7.30pm. The National Poetry Library remains open with entry via the Royal Festival Hall Artists’ Entrance.

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Showing results for: 'Classical music'

Cassie Kinoshi: ‘making any kind of art comes down to the relationships you have with people’
Cassie in a grey room
Article

Cassie Kinoshi: ‘making any kind of art comes down to the relationships you have with people’

The musician, composer and Southbank Centre Associate Artist discusses finding community in music, avoiding jazz and writing in all its forms.

My mixtape: Mariam Batsashvili’s 10 perfect piano pieces
Mariam Batsashvili, a young woman with short dark hair, wears a white blouse. The words ‘My Mixtape’ are imposed over the image.
Playlist

My mixtape: Mariam Batsashvili’s 10 perfect piano pieces

The classical pianist curates a collection of ten of her favourite piano pieces into a perfect playlist.

Who is composer Julia Wolfe?
A close-up portrait of a woman with curly strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes, looking directly at the camera against a dark background.
Article

Who is composer Julia Wolfe?

A look at the multi-award winning composer and hugely influential contemporary music figure who never intended to study music.

Playlist: South Asian Sounds 2026
Singer Shalini Rani sits cross legged in a patterned dark red outfit. The word Playlist is emblazoned over the top of her.
Playlist

Playlist: South Asian Sounds 2026

Listen to a playlist of contemporary and timeless South Asian music from artists appearing at the 2026 edition of South Asian Sounds.

5 things to know about Mahler's Fifth Symphony
Gustav Mahler, composer
Article

5 things to know about Mahler's Fifth Symphony

Get an introduction to the most notable work of one of the leading Romantic composers.

Who is composer Alban Berg?
Austrian composer Alban Berg photohgraphed in his workroom in Hietzing. He is seated in a desk chair in front of a full bookcase, an open music manuscript sits on the table in front of him.
Article

Who is composer Alban Berg?

Discover the Austrian composer who hid an affair in his music score and whose first orchestral work caused a riot.

Playlist: classical favourites, inspired by Multitudes
A quartet of acrobats, clad in back, lean forwards while standing on top of each others' shoulders. Behind them, on the same stage, an orchestra performs. The word 'Playlist' is imposed over the top of the image.
Article

Playlist: classical favourites, inspired by Multitudes

Listen to a playlist created for Multitudes by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and pupils at Acland Burghley School.

What does a conductor do?
Nicholas Collon, seen from behind, conductors members of Aurora Orchestra who face him from the stage.
Article

What does a conductor do?

For our Arts Unravelled series, conductors Charles Hazlewood and Nicholas Collon help us answer one of classical music’s most commonly asked questions.

Love Ssega: ‘If you’ve an opportunity to do something you’ve got an interest in, go for it’
Low angle mid-shot of Southbank Centre Associate Artist Love Ssega, looking down into the camera and wearing a red denim jacket, buttoned-up and with the collar up
Article

Love Ssega: ‘If you’ve an opportunity to do something you’ve got an interest in, go for it’

The musician and performance artist discusses Clean Bandit, chemical engineering and Cluedo with Martin Creed in this in-depth interview.

Who is composer Tansy Davies?
Composer Tansy Davies dressed in black with her arms crossed
Article

Who is composer Tansy Davies?

An introduction to one of the 21st century’s leading British classical music composers.

5 things to know about Stravinsky’s The Firebird
Igor Stravinsky, a small 83 year old balding man wearing black-rimmed glasses stands with arms stretched out at his stands as he conducts a rehearsal
Article

5 things to know about Stravinsky’s The Firebird

Discover the background to the 1910 composition that catapulted composer Igor Stravinsky to international fame.

My mixtape: Alexandra Dariescu's 10 pieces by female composers you need to hear
Alexandra Dariescu, a young woman with short dark hair, sits on a piano stool and leans back against the keys of the accompanying grand piano. The words 'My Mixtape' are imposed over the top of the image.
Playlist

My mixtape: Alexandra Dariescu's 10 pieces by female composers you need to hear

The celebrated pianist presents a playlist of works by ten female composers you ought to know.