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Rolling image of medieval images including a sad looking red jester, a painted portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach, violins and skulls, Medusa by artist Caravaggio and a woman lying in a meadows.

Are you in your classical era?


Inspired by our upcoming classical music programme, we've created your new favourite playlists... Whether you're the star of your own daily period drama or you're here for bangers from back in the day (that's the 1790s, not the 1990s), pick your mood and see where the music takes you – with the bonus option of experiencing it live.

Plus, keep reading for your chance to win a pair of tickets to Gustavo Dudamel.



For slaying – and not just dragons

Painted portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach by Elias Gottlob Haussmann with modified digital glasses over the top.

1. Classical Bangers

These are the BIG classical tunes that soundtrack your everyday slay, your daily main character walk and your grand entrance through those commuter tube doors.

Hear it live


Conductor wearing a black suit white shirt and pink bow tie, with violinists playing around them

Gustavo Dudamel & Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra

THU 28 AUG

Marking its 50th year, the celebrated orchestra performs passionate Bernstein and Falla works for which it has become known, under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel.

Concert Orchestra on stage under stage lighting in a large auditorium with wooden floors

Bridgerton and Beyond with BBC Concert Orchestra

FRI 26 SEP

Dear Gentle Listener… join the BBC Concert Orchestra for an enchanting evening of music from beloved period dramas in a live edition of the BBC Radio 3 programme.

Smiling headshot of a woman with light brown hair tied up looking down to the left

The Rite of Spring

WED 22 OCT

Experience the power and primal energy of the Stravinsky work that changed the course of modern music, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.


For when you're the main character (always)

An image of a woman wearing a long, floaty dress laying in the grass with flowers around her looking melancholic.

2. Gut-wrenchingly Beautiful Pieces of Classical Music

The title says it all.

Hear it live

A man wearing an orange cordroy suit jacket, standing in front of an orange wall

Boris Giltburg Plays Rachmaninov's Preludes

SUN 28 SEP

The virtuoso pianist performs the thrilling technicolour cycle of Rachmaninov’s 24 Preludes in their entirety.

Image of the three artists smiling holding their instruments

Chineke! Orchestra: Beethoven's Triple Concerto

SUN 28 SEP

The orchestra kickstarts their tenth anniversary European tour with a signature work by Coleridge-Taylor and a new commission from Errollyn Wallen.

Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha sitting on a padded chair

Wagner, Strauss & Tchaikovsky: Last Songs

THU 6 NOV

The Philharmonia Orchestra’s 80th birthday celebrations continue with a concert showcasing the huge range of emotions an orchestra can express in sound.


For those romanticised study sessions

Dark image of string instruments layed out with music papers surrounding it and a human skull at the side.

3. You’re Studying Alone in a Lecture Hall at Cambridge (Dark Academia)

These concerts transport you to an atmospheric, Gothic study hall where moody, classical pieces fuel your thirst for knowledge.

Hear it live

Sean Shibe holding his guitars

Sean Shibe, 12 Ensemble & GBSR Duo (Double Bill)

SAT 27 SEP

Oliver Leith builds a nostalgia-tinged sound-world in his imaginary concert by a fictional band, performed by guitarist Sean Shibe, GBSR Duo and 12 Ensemble.

Pianist Tiffany Poon in front of a blue wall

Tiffany Poon: Alkan, Debussy & Ravel

SUN 9 NOV

A French music feast – Alkan, Debussy, Ravel – from a rising-star pianist known for her intelligent musicianship.

A side-profile portrait of French composer Gérard Grisey looking pensive

Grisey: Quatre Chants

FRI 28 NOV

Experience Gérard Grisey’s profound meditation on death brought to life by the London Sinfonietta.


For when you realise classical has always been cool

Cropped in image of Medusa by artist Caravaggio which shows a persons shocksd, emotional face.

4. Did You Say Classical Music is Boring?

Honestly, where have you been? Classical music has been popping off for a while now, like literally since 1750. Experience it for yourself and have your mind changed.

Hear it live

A string quartet holding their violins, wearing neutral clothing

Attacca Quartet: Dowland, Glass & Pärt

THU 25 SEP

The American ensemble performs music from across the ages, including Renaissance music and work from modern minimalist luminaries Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt.

A group of musicians pose together in front of a vibrant rainbow-colored backdrop. They are dressed in bright colours, and are holding various instruments

Meet the Instruments

SUN 28 SEP

Come along and meet Aurora Orchestra’s instruments in a fun and interactive family concert.

A man and woman in neutral t shirts, stood in front of a concrete wall

GBSR Duo: Stockhausen vs Aphex Twin (Double Bill)

SAT 31 JAN

Hear a pairing of works that straddles a musical dispute: Stockhausen’s landmark Kontakte and Aphex Twin’s Computer Controlled Instruments pt2.


For dreaming up your revenge

A paiting of a red jester looking sad called Stańczyk by Artist Jan Matejko.

5. Villainous Music to Plot & Scheme to

Concerts for plotting what you wish you'd said in that argument that one time, the 'I quit!' walk-out you dream of at work and what you'd do if you really did bump into them...

Hear it live

Soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha singing

A Sea Symphony

FRI 31 OCT

Set sail on a voyage of discovery with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Sir Mark Elder, taking in sea-themed works by Vaughan Williams and Sibelius.

A man with brown hair and glasses in a dark suit looking into the camera with large glass windows behind

Jakub Hrůša Conducts Mahler 7

THU 13 NOV

The Philharmonia Orchestra paints shades of dusk and darkness from the eclectic influences and sounds in Mahler’s Seventh, nicknamed ‘Song of the Night’.

A man wearing a navy suit sat on a brown sofa with his legs crossed and hand resting on his knee

Haydn: From Esterháza to Hanover Square

THU 27 NOV

Journey through Haydn’s varied oeuvre with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under the baton of Sir András Schiff.


Competition time

Gustavo Dudamel conducting an orchestra wearing a black suit.

What's your classical mood? Email competitions@southbankcentre.co.uk with your favourite playlist from this email before 11.59pm on Sunday 3 August to be in with a chance to win a goodie bag and a pair of highly sought-after tickets to see Gustavo Dudamel & Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra on Thursday 28 August.


From our friends


Abdelwahab

SUN 23 NOV | THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE

A symphonic journey through the music of the father of modern Arabic music, Mohamed Abdelwahab, with Egyptian soprano classical singer Fatma Said, conductor Nader Abbassi and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Book now

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