BMW LSO Open Air Classics event in London A capacity crowd of thousands visited Trafalgar Square on Monday to be part of the BMW LSO Open Air Classics. The London Symphony Orchestra and its Principal Conductor Valery Gergiev played works by Hector Berlioz to a crowd of all ages. The concert was the second in a pioneering series of annual outdoor concerts by the LSO in partnership with BMW that had its successful premiere last year also on Trafalgar Square. The aim of BMW LSO Open Air Classics is to bring outstanding classical music performed in the open air – free for everyone in an informal atmosphere.
Apart from Hector Berlioz’s “Le corsaire” overture, the orchestra performed a special arrangement of the “Symphonie fantastique” by composer Gareth Glyn. For this, they were joined by young musicians from LSO On Track, the Orchestra’s award-winning music education and community programme, and students from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Following an ovation from the capacity audience, Gergiev and the LSO performed the Hungarian March from “The Demnation of Faust” by Berlioz as encore. LSO animateur and composer Rachel Leach guided the audience through the evening.
Dr Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, greeted the audience on the square: “We are proud to contribute to the diverse cultural landscape of this extraordinary city.”
Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director of the LSO said: “The LSO is delighted that their partnership with BMW continued so successfully on this Bank Holiday Monday and that so many people took up our invitation. We are already looking forward to next year’s concert!”