Events Calendar
Korngold The Sea Hawk: Main Theme, Reunion and Finale
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko Conductor
Bruce Liu Piano
Rachmaninov’s world was turned completely upside down by the Great War. Severed from his roots, he fled Russia and began a career as a globetrotting pianist. His devilish set of variations, performed here by Bruce Liu – winner of the 2021 International Chopin Competition – embodies this nomadic life: written in Switzerland, premiered in America, based on a tune by Italian violinist Niccolò Paganini and infused with Rachmaninov’s own Russian style. Composers Erich Korngold and Béla Bartók were also forced by politics to leave their homes: both fled from fascism to the New World, and Korngold’s swashbuckling film score is practically a hymn to freedom. Bartók’s spectacular Concerto for Orchestra, meanwhile, is more than just a multi-coloured showcase, it’s a struggle between darkness and light, crowned by a mighty shout of joy.
RPO President
Large print versions and digital formats of the programme for this concert are available on request for customers with accessibility requirements. Please email your request to Doran Crowhurst crowhurstd@rpo.co.uk at least one full week before the performance.
Ticket information
Doors: 6.45pm
Concert starts: 7.30pm
Tickets from £15*
Under 18 offers apply: £5 for children aged 7–17 in price bands B–E.
This event is not recommended for children under 5. All customers aged 14 years or below must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over.
Student tickets available: book via Student Pulse.
*Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For group bookings of 10+, a £1 fee per ticket applies (capped at £30 per booking).
*Prices are subject to change: book as early as you can to secure the best choice of seats at the best possible prices.
RPO Club
RPO Club members save 50% on two tickets per London Season concert and receive a host of other benefits – phone 020 7608 8840 or email rpoclub@rpo.co.uk to find out more.
Groups
Groups of just 6+ save up to 35%, and £5 tickets are available for schools; phone 020 7608 8840 or email groups@rpo.co.uk to find out more.
Tickets for RPO Brent Members
A limited number of tickets will be available for this performance at a special price for RPO Brent members in price bands B–E.
To book tickets, members should:
- click on the 'Buy Tickets' link above to be transferred to Southbank Centre’s website, followed by 'Book Now'
- click in the top right-hand corner where it says ‘Have a Promo Code?’ and insert your promo code (which was included in your welcome email)
- select your preferred tickets from the available seats.
Tickets will only be available once the event is on sale.
Tickets are limited, so if the offer is not applied, that may be because there are no longer any tickets available for this offer.
Find out more about the RPO Brent membership and sign up here.
