“With this programme, we are being artist-driven, audience-focused, and pushing forward the artform of classical music. We are championing a new cohort of Resident Artists, in collaboration with our new group of Resident Orchestras, featuring genre-blurring pioneers with whom we are commissioning new work and enabling their creative vision… and working with new partners to create new ways for people to experience classical music, in many cases for the very first time… We also celebrate our multicultural society with work that reflects cultures worldwide; celebrate 20th-century pioneers; and bring multimedia into the concert hall. Beginning with the curated Opening Weekend Festival, we are inviting more people to immerse themself in the wonder of classical music.”

Toks Dada (Head of Classical Music, Southbank Centre)

Southbank Centre’s Autumn/Winter 2022/23 classical music programme (September 2022 to January 2023) – the first edition under the curatorship of Head of Classical Music Toks Dada since arriving at the Southbank Centre – celebrates classical music in all its forms.

Programme highlights include:

  • New experiences introducing new audiences to classical music including Paraorchestra’s immersive orchestral experience, Barokksolistene’s 17th century alehouse, Aurora Orchestra’s thrilling ‘Symphonie Fantastique’, and The Multi-Story Orchestra with special shows for families
  • A commitment to championing artists as part of a new cohort of Resident Artists, in collaboration with the Southbank Centre’s Resident Orchestras, featuring genre-blurring pioneers and big names in classical music: Abel Selaocoe, Daniel Pioro, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Víkingur Ólafsson and Manchester Collective
  • A refreshed contemporary programme featuring exciting new commissions, world premiere album projects, and multimedia experiences including a specially made production from violist Lawrence Power and creative studio Âme
  • A celebration of two towering figures of the 20th century: Shostakovich and Xenakis, as well as global stars of keyboard and chamber music including Mahan Esfahani, Iveta Apkalna, Nobuyuki Tsujii, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Emerson Quartet, the Colin Currie Group, the JACK Quartet, Isata Kanneh-Mason and the Maxwell Quartet