Ligeti 100: Deep Dive
Explore the life and work of pioneering composer György Ligeti in a deep-dive afternoon of free talks and events marking 100 years since his birth.
Ligeti 100 is a day of events celebrating the life, work and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most influential composers.
It starts and ends with ticketed concerts in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and you can find out more by following the links further down this page.
In between the two performances in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer is open for everyone to dive into the unique sounds and the eventful life of Ligeti with speakers and musicians sharing their memories and expertise.
Schedule
2.15pm: Welcome
2.30pm: London Sinfonietta Players and Students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance perform Ligeti's Ramifications
2.45pm: Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard appears in conversation about his two performances on the day and his collaboration with the composer
3.30pm: A tour through the composer's life and work with his biographer Professor Richard Steinitz
5.15pm: A panel discussion on the composer's works and legacy
6pm: London Sinfonietta Players perform Poème Symphonique, Ligeti's infamous work for 100 metronomes, together with public participants
Performers
- London Sinfonietta
- Students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Drama
- Pierre-Laurent Aimard speaker
- Richard Steinitz speaker
- Patrick Dawkins speaker
- Elena Dubinets speaker
Repertoire
- Ligeti: Ramifications; Poème symphonique for 100 metronomes
Need to know
For ages 7+
In addition to these free events, Ligeti’s centenary is celebrated at ticketed performances by Pierre-Laurent Aimard and the London Sinfonietta.
Queen Elizabeth Hall at 1pm: Ligeti 100: Pierre-Laurent in Recital
Queen Elizabeth Hall at 7.30pm: Ligeti 100: London Sinfonietta & Pierre-Laurent Aimard
Dates & times
Sat 14 Oct, from 1pm
Price
- Standard entryFree
Everyone needs the arts. We need you.
Right now, your support is more important to us than ever before. Help us to continue making the arts available to all.
Venue
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Our number one priority is the health and wellbeing of our visitors and staff.
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open 90 minutes before events
Our address is: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. The nearest tube and train stations within 5-7 minutes walk are Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee and Waterloo & City lines) and Embankment (District & Circle lines). There are also lots of bus routes with stops 2-5 minutes from our venues. For more information on getting here by road, rail or river.
Pre-booking online is recommended. Check our website on the day for returns. There’s no need to print your e-ticket – just show your phone to our Visitor Assistants on entry.
Some free events don't require a ticket. Found an event labelled FREE on our website with no way to book? Simply turn up on the day.
If you don't receive your e-ticket
Your e-ticket will be sent to you seven days before the event date from [email protected]. If you don't receive your e-ticket, and it's not in your junk or spam folder, please get in touch.
More information
Find out all you need to know about tickets, including concessions, group bookings, returns, credit vouchers and more, via the link below.
Get an overview of the seating layout of Queen Elizabeth Hall by downloading our seating plan.
Toilets
An accessible toilet is located in the foyer.
A Changing Places toilet is located on Level 1 Royal Festival Hall next to the JCB Glass Lift, for the exclusive use of disabled people who need personal assistance to use the toilet.
The facility includes a height-adjustable bench, tracking hoist system, a centrally-placed toilet, a height-adjustable basin and a shower. Please visit the Welcome Desk on Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, where a member of staff can provide you with the key. You can also use the phone next to the Changing Places toilet to speak to a member of staff. The facility is open daily 10am – 11pm.
Cloakroom
The Queen Elizabeth Hall cloakroom is closed. You won’t be able to bring any bags over 40 x 25 x 25cm into the Queen Elizabeth Hall, so please leave large bags at home.
We're cash-free
Please note that we're unable to accept cash payments across our site.
For step-free access from the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road off Belvedere Road to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating (excluding rows A to C) and wheelchair spaces in the Rear Stalls, plus Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer and the Purcell Room, please use the Queen Elizabeth Hall main entrance.
To reach this entrance, enter the Royal Festival Hall via the Southbank Centre Square Doors. Take the JCB Glass Lift to Level 2 and exit to the Riverside Terrace. Turn right to find the Queen Elizabeth Hall main entrance.
You can also use the external lift near the Artists' Entrance on Southbank Centre Square to reach Mandela Walk, Level 2.
For access to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating rows A to C and wheelchair spaces in the Front Stalls, please enter via the Artists' Entrance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road (Level 1).
Talk to a member of staff at the auditorium entrance if you have a disability that means you can’t queue, or you need extra time to take your seat. They can arrange priority entry for you as soon as the doors open.
Please bear with us while we update our access map to reflect the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyer spaces. The step-free routes remain the same.
From a snack with coffee to cocktails and fine dining, plus some of London's best street food – it's all here on the Southbank Centre site.