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The Royal Festival Hall is closed to the public on Tuesday 16 June. It will reopen for Harry Styles & Jules Buckley Orchestra ticket holders only at 5pm.

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Showing results for: ' Articles and Classical music'

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.

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

Arts unravelled: what does a conductor do?

Leading 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.

Conor Mitchell: ‘I tried to assimilate for years, but sex is a big part of life’
Mid-shot of Southbank Centre Associate Artist Conor Mitchell, conducting a classical ensemble (including three visible double bass players) in a green room, wearing headphones, black pants and a black t-shirt
Article

Conor Mitchell: ‘I tried to assimilate for years, but sex is a big part of life’

The composer and theatre-maker discusses agitprop, injustices and the inherent campness of the Catholic Church in an in-depth interview.

Who is composer Szymon Laks?
Dan Blaskey portraying polish composer Szymon Laks in the film The Last Musician of Auschwitz; he is glimpsed through an open door seated at table working at a typewriter
Article

Who is composer Szymon Laks?

Introducing the Polish composer who found himself leading the one orchestra that no musician ever wanted to find themselves available for.

Alisa Weilerstein: ‘We’re taught that context is everything; why can’t we just skip that and listen?’
A woman in an orange dress, posing with a cello
Article

Alisa Weilerstein: ‘We’re taught that context is everything; why can’t we just skip that and listen?’

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein discusses her musical upbringing, expanding the repertoire and the ‘great equaliser’ of classical music out of context.

How I create… with musician Soumik Datta
Soumik Datta standing outdoors holding his traditional instrument and wearing a red jumper.
Article

How I create… with musician Soumik Datta

The sarod virtuoso on finding inspiration on the go, rewriting his understanding of success and learning to accept feedback.

Who is contemporary classical quintet ZRI?
A group of musicians posing in a green valley, with a waterfall in the background
Article

Who is contemporary classical quintet ZRI?

Meet the contemporary classical and folk music quintet who take inspiration from a bawdy 19th century pub.