London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Antonio Pappano

Tchaikovsky juggles beauty and suffering, Britten reflects powerfully on grief and conflict, and Bernstein grapples with the modern world.

Composed in the midst of global conflict, Britten’s 1940 Sinfonia da Requiem is a grief-stricken cry, its turbulent music finally giving way to Mahlerian tenderness – and hope.

Bernstein’s post-war symphony The Age of Anxiety, based on W H Auden’s poem, is a piano concerto in all but name, full of Shostakovich-inspired spirit and snatches of Broadway.

The concert ends with Tchaikovsky’s journey to the depths of the soul. Despite ending on a note of utter despair, the ‘Pathétique’ is among the composer’s most beautiful works.

The LSO is sure to draw high emotion from Britten and Tchaikovsky, while pianist Denis Kozhukhin joins Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano for Bernstein’s fizzing symphonic concerto.

The concert will finish at approximately 9.20pm, including a 20-minute interval (timings subject to change).

Change of artistBeatrice Rana is expecting a baby and will be withdrawing from her concerts in spring 2026 with the LSO and Sir Antonio Pappano. The LSO is pleased to announce that Denis Kozhukhin will now be the piano soloist for this performance of Leonard Bernstein’s The Age of Anxiety (Symphony No 2).Posted Thu 22 Jan 2026. Ticket holders will be contacted separately

Programme

Benjamin Britten Sinfonia da requiem
Leonard Bernstein The Age of Anxiety
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Symphony No 6, ‘Pathétique’

Performers

London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Antonio Pappano conductor
Denis Kozhukhin piano