The London Symphony Orchestra in partnership with BMW and the Mayor of London returns to Trafalgar Square this year.

Principal conductor Valery Gergiev and the LSO will perform Berlioz’s Overture Le corsaire, and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. 

Eighty youngsters, including conservatoire students and LSO On Track musicians from the orchestra’s award-winning education and community programme, will perform alongside LSO players.

Animateur and composer Rachel Leach will present the concert from the stage, guiding the audience through the music with screens either side keeping the performance up close and personal. And beneficiaries of the Mayor’s Music Fund will be among the 10,000 people expected to see it.

The charity gives support to young people with musical potential whose families cannot always meet the cost of tuition.

“It’s fantastic to have Valery Gergiev and the LSO returning to Trafalgar Square,” Boris Johnson said. “I have no doubt the chance to listen to stirring music in this incomparable location will again draw large crowds.

“It’s a terrific opportunity for even more people to experience classical music. I’m especially pleased that some of the Mayor’s Music Scholars will get to meet members of the orchestra and hope it will spur them in their ambitions to become great musicians themselves.”

The free to attend BMW LSO Open Air Classics concert takes place on Monday 27 May at 6:30pm.


The London Symphony Orchestra in partnership with BMW and the Mayor of London returns to Trafalgar Square this year.

Principal conductor Valery Gergiev and the LSO will perform Berlioz’s Overture Le corsaire, and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. 

Eighty youngsters, including conservatoire students and LSO On Track musicians from the orchestra’s award-winning education and community programme, will perform alongside LSO players.

Animateur and composer Rachel Leach will present the concert from the stage, guiding the audience through the music with screens either side keeping the performance up close and personal. And beneficiaries of the Mayor’s Music Fund will be among the 10,000 people expected to see it.

The charity gives support to young people with musical potential whose families cannot always meet the cost of tuition.

“It’s fantastic to have Valery Gergiev and the LSO returning to Trafalgar Square,” Boris Johnson said. “I have no doubt the chance to listen to stirring music in this incomparable location will again draw large crowds.

“It’s a terrific opportunity for even more people to experience classical music. I’m especially pleased that some of the Mayor’s Music Scholars will get to meet members of the orchestra and hope it will spur them in their ambitions to become great musicians themselves.”

The free to attend BMW LSO Open Air Classics concert takes place on Monday 27 May at 6:30pm.