‘Dreaming, hearing loss and saying goodbye’. So reads the evocative subtitle for Richard Ayres’ Three Pieces about Ludwig van Beethoven, premiered by Aurora Orchestra behind closed doors at last year’s BBC Proms. Aurora’s first post-pandemic appearance at Southbank Centre offers the first opportunity for a live audience to experience this radiant, intensely personal work, described The Times as “Stupendous… Unbearably poignant, yet also indefatigably stoic.”
Beethoven’s own voice is heard in his monumental Violin Concerto, performed here with soloist Nicola Benedetti. Nicholas Collon conducts a performance that sees Aurora’s memorised performance approach – with players performing without sheet music or music stands – applied to a concerto for the first time. An unmissable highlight of London’s return to orchestral music-making.
‘Marvellous… Playing from memory, Aurora created an organic sense of community, dynamism and inspiration.’ The New York Times
Southbank Centre Members’ pre-sale opens 10am Tuesday 11 May
General booking opens Wednesday 12 May
Please note: as a result of scheduling changes linked to Covid-19 and the phased reopening of Southbank Centre over the summer, this event has been moved from the Queen Elizabeth Hall to the Royal Festival Hall. Because of the different seating map in the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre have unfortunately had to cancel existing ticket bookings for the event. Existing ticket holders will be contacted by Southbank Centre box office on Monday 10 May. Priority booking will open from 10am on Tuesday 11 May for existing ticket holders and Southbank Centre members. General booking will be available from Wednesday 12 May.
This concert is generously supported by Cockayne – Grants for the Arts and The London Community Foundation, Nicholas & Margo Snowman, Richard & Helen Sheldon and the Aurora Patrons & Friends.