Kick-start your evening with a Half Six Fix concert. One piece in a 60-minute concert, introduced by the performers, with screens in the hall to bring you closer to the action.
William Walton’s First Symphony was written during a period of great stress and personal drama. Worried about friends in Europe and heartbroken after the end of a dramatic love affair Walton couldn’t even finish the work before its first performance, and his turmoil can be heard in the intense opening, snarky Scherzo (directed to be played ‘with malice’) and the tragic slow movement.
The composer finished the symphony under different circumstances, however, and the finale ushers in a different mood: cinematic and celebratory.
This powerful symphony demands equally powerful players: Sir Antonio Pappano and the LSO are more than equal to the challenge. It’s a work that’s part of the LSO’s history; the Orchestra gave the first performance of the opening three movements in 1934, conducted by Sir Hamilton Harty.
This performance will end at approximately 7.30pm (timings subject to change). Please note there will be no interval.
Produced by the London Symphony Orchestra
Programme
Performers
This is a past event. Subscribe to our newsletters to hear about upcoming events
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 access@barbican.org.uk at least a week beforehand, to prebook a large-print programmme.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
