Bohemian Rhapsodies
Four composers deliver music of defiance and flair with the aid of superb young Czech violinist Josef Špaček and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
In the 20th century, the nations of central Europe experienced both glory and terror – and composers responded with music that blazes with energy and imaginative power.
For LPO Principal Conductor Edward Gardner, it’s a source of pure inspiration, and tonight, in the first of two Phoenix Lands concerts, he shares his passion.
Phoenix Lands is a two-concert celebration of 20th-century Central European music.
Janáček retells bloody folktales, Grażyna Bacewicz strikes a note of defiance, and Lutosławski and Martinů each do their own deliriously imaginative thing.
Performers
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Edward Gardner conductor
Josef Špaček violin
Repertoire
Bacewicz: Overture
Martinů: Violin Concerto No.2
Interval
Lutosławski: Symphony No.4
Janáček: Taras Bulba
Need to know
You can buy an exclusive box package for this event. More details of our Royal Festival Hall exclusive box package.
Reviews
‘Špaček […] filled the hall with a transcendent lustre, achingly beautiful and touching to the point of tears’ Bachtrack
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.