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Towards Renewal

PAST EVENT
Sat 2 Jul 2022, 12 noon
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Classical music
past event
past event
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Image courtesy on BBC Concert Orchestra

A new orchestral piece written by Philip Herbert and commissioned by the BBC Concert Orchestra navigates a tapestry of sound-worlds.

Towards Renewal is episodic in construction, considering what it would be like to move from our present experience with the global pandemic to a world without Covid-19.

There are dark, reflective, agitated and sometimes introspective moments in the score, as well as much more animated, joyous, hopeful and positive visions. The sound-world draws on wide-ranging musical influences.

Philip Herbert says: ‘These sound-worlds are linked to visions, which are connected to our priorities and how we choose to deal with Covid. This in turn holds the keys of life and death, our happiness, and our futures, as we progress towards a renewal of our life experiences, with or without Covid.’
This is a world premiere of the work, commissioned by the BBC Concert Orchestra, and performed by them for the PRS New Music Biennial 2022.

Philip Herbert gained an honours degree in music education from King Alfred’s College Winchester (now University of Winchester) and a Master’s degree in Music from Andrews University, Michigan USA.

Herbert’s portfolio career includes teaching up to university level, composing, writing for publication, performing, project origination and broadcasting, as well as developing workshops, masterclasses and residencies across an eclectic musical range for young people and adults.

Performers
  • BBC Concert Orchestra
  • Robert Ames conductor
Repertoire
  • Philip Herbert: Towards Renewal (World premiere)

Need to know

This event is free, but ticketed. Seating is unallocated and tickets don’t guarantee entry: admission is on a first come, first served basis for those with tickets. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

This 15-minute piece is performed twice, with a short Q&A session with the composer between the performances.

Dates & times

Sat 2 Jul 2022, 12 noon
Approximate run time: 1 hour.
Run times may vary by up to 20 minutes as they can be affected by last-minute programme changes, intervals and encores.

Price

  • Standard entryFree, but ticketed

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Venue

Queen Elizabeth Hall

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The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open daily from 10am.

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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.

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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.

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More information

Find out all you need to know about tickets, including concessions, group bookings, returns, credit vouchers and more, via the link below.

Frequently asked questions

Get an overview of the seating layout of Queen Elizabeth Hall by downloading our seating plan.

Download 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. The phone outside the Changing Places toilet will connect you with a member of staff, who can provide you with the key. 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.

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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.

Download step-free access map

More about Access and facilities

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