London Symphony Orchestra

The Brighton Festival is reaching its 60th anniversary this year, running from 1 to 26 May. This edition marks something of a new chapter for the event under the direction of Lucy Davies, who is overseeing a programme of more than 100 different performances across the city. Among the classical highlights is the return of the London Symphony Orchestra, scheduled to perform at the Brighton Dome Concert Hall on Friday, 8 May. The concert starts at 19:30 and forms a central part of the festival's efforts to maintain its status as a major fixture in the international arts calendar while remaining rooted in our local community.

The evening features the orchestra’s Chief Conductor, Sir Antonio Pappano, alongside pianist Denis Kozhukhin. The programme itself is built around two heavyweight compositions: Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, often referred to as the Pathétique. Kozhukhin is well-regarded for his interpretations of this repertoire, and seeing him collaborate with the LSO under Pappano provides a chance to hear these works performed by a group that spends most of its time on the world's biggest stages. It is a straightforward, high-quality programme that focuses on the technical skill and emotional range of the orchestra within the acoustics of the Dome.

Regarding the practical side of things, ticket prices are tiered from £15 to £40, depending on where you choose to sit. For those under 30, there is a flat rate of £25 available, which is a helpful initiative for making these kinds of orchestral events more accessible to a younger audience. As of today, 19 February, tickets are already available for festival members to purchase. If you are not a member, the general sale begins next week on 26 February. Given that the festival aims to create lasting memories for the city's audiences, these tickets usually move quite steadily once the full programme is announced, so it is worth keeping those dates in mind if you are planning your May schedule.