Sir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) make a triumphant return to Australia in 2023, with internationally revered conductor Sir Simon Rattle leading his final tour as Music Director of the LSO.

Among the world’s finest orchestras, the LSO commences its highly anticipated Australian tour at QPAC. Hear them at their ‘magnificent, virtuosic best’ performing two extraordinary programs with music by Adams, Debussy, Ravel and Mahler. Featuring 114 musicians, this will be the largest orchestra the LSO have ever brought to Australia and only their fourth Australian tour in their 120-year history.

PROGRAM 1: ADAMS | DEBUSSY | RAVEL (FRIDAY, 28 APRIL 7:30PM)

Sir Simon Rattle is known as a conductor of orchestrally colourful repertoire, and this program brings together three signature favourites that show this to perfection. John Adams’ Harmonielehre is the kind of work that is normally too big for orchestras to tour. But the LSO’s huge orchestral forces will shine in this American marriage of harmonic richness and rhythmic momentum. Debussy’s enthralling sketches of the sea, La Mer, and the voluptuous and sensual suite from Ravel’s ballet Daphnis et Chloé will highlight the LSO’s ‘special sense of colour and ability to play quietly and delicately’.

John Adams Harmonielehre
Claude Debussy La Mer
Maurice Ravel Daphnis et Chloé Suite No.2

Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
London Symphony Orchestra

Duration: approx. 2 hours including interval

PROGRAM 2: MAHLER 7 (SATURDAY, 29 APRIL 7:30PM)

Mahler’s Seventh is the dark horse of his symphonies. This fascinating and rarely performed masterpiece will intrigue and delight. No wonder it has become a signature work for Sir Simon Rattle. The heart of this symphony is ‘music of the night’, with Mahler taking inspiration from Mozart serenades and lovers singing beneath windows, creating a nocturnal kaleidoscopic dreamworld. Mahler Seven, says Sir Simon, follows a ‘journey from night to an almost blinding dawn’. Spend the night with Mahler and the LSO and you too can take that sonic and emotional journey.

Gustav Mahler Symphony No.7

Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
London Symphony Orchestra

Duration: approx. 1 hour and 30 min no interval

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Presented by QPAC

Thrilling Rattle and virtuoso orchestra are perfect partners…in an innovative French program that from first to last had the ring of authenticity.

The Evening Standard
Throughout, the LSO played with searing commitment and a genuine bloom to their sound.

The Guardian
In seeing as well as hearing his concert, what comes over is Rattle’s love for the music and the orchestra’s wholehearted response.

BBC Music Magazine

IN CONVERSATION WITH SIR SIMON RATTLE

Thursday, 27 April 2023, 6pm
Concert Hall
Tickets $30*
Duration: 1 hour

Join one of the world’s greatest conductors, Sir Simon Rattle, for an unmissable evening of conversation.

In this exclusive event, Sir Simon shares his thoughts and aspirations with much-loved local music identity, Martin Buzacott, in a wide-ranging discussion that will cover everything from music and life, to the challenges of presenting live music performances in the digital age.

Audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions prior to the evening, with selected questions explored and discussed in this fascinating hour of conversation featuring one of the world’s leading lights in orchestral and classical music.

If you would like to submit a question, click here.