London Symphony Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas
The Beginning of Summer – Mahler’s Third Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Mahler’s magnificent vision of a world teeming with joyful life.
‘Bring along ears and a heart,’ Mahler instructed his audiences, reluctant to explain the meaning behind the music. But we know that in his Third Symphony, Mahler set out to compose a work that encompassed the whole of existence. Summer marches in, heralded by horns. Delicate flowers emerge in the meadow. Forest creatures startle at the approach of humankind. A voice sings, cloaked in night. We hear the sparkling music of bells and angels and, finally, a rapturous slow movement evokes the beauty of love.
Conductor Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas is passionate about Mahler, and his recordings of the composer’s oeuvre have won no fewer than seven Grammy awards. He’s joined by expert Mahlerian vocalists. In this symphony of nature, the LSO becomes what the poet Dylan Thomas called ‘the force that through the green fuse drives the flower’.
This performance will end at approximately 8.40pm (timings subject to change).
Produced by the London Symphony Orchestra
Programme
Performers
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Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Browse concerts with the London Symphony Orchestra
Hall
Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users in row U at the rear of the stalls (up to sixteen, depth of row 180cm) and the back row of the circle (four), both with fold-down companion seats. Some seats in row S of the stalls for people with very limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the concert hall where there are a limited number of suitable seats in row G of the stalls. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
There is an induction loop in the concert hall. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.
Free large-print programmes
These are available for most of our concerts. Please contact [email protected] at least a week beforehand, to prebook a large-print programmme.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
