The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is built on the belief that extraordinary music should be available to everyone, everywhere, from devoted orchestral fans in the concert hall to first-time listeners across the UK, Europe and the world.

The London Symphony Orchestra was established in 1904 as one of the first orchestras shaped by its musicians. Since then, generations of remarkable talents have built the LSO’s reputation for uncompromising quality and inspirational repertoires. Today, the LSO is ranked among the world’s top orchestras, with a family of artists that includes Music Director Sir Simon Rattle, Principal Guest Conductors Gianandrea Noseda and François-Xavier Roth, Conductor Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas and Associate Artists Barbara Hannigan and André J Thomas.

The LSO’s residency at the 2023 International Festival is part of our Hope in the face of adversity theme. Sir Simon Rattle has described Messiaen’s Turangalîla Symphony as a ‘profound cry of relief’ – it was written by the composer following the Second World War, during which he was interned in a prisoner of war camp. The Szymanowski and Brahms concert explores dealing with grief, with two very different composers searching for consolation in time of loss. Both pieces explore pain and mourning, but end in uplifting radiance.