JANUARY
Highlights
SoundState Bringing together an unrivalled concentration of global creativity, SoundState celebrates the artists who are defining what it means to make new music in the 21st century. Our three featured artists – Claire Chase, Du Yun and Rebecca Saunders – lead an international line-up from Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Slovenia, Sweden, Germany and beyond, across five nights of crossboundary sounds and cutting-edge music.
SoundState takes place from 16 to 20 January.
Leonidas Kavakos & Yuja Wang
The renowned violinist and acclaimed pianist return to Royal Festival Hall for duets by Mozart, Prokofiev, Bartók and Strauss following rave reviews for their last performance in 2014.
The Artist
On the cover:
Du Yun, SoundState festival
Experience groundbreaking performances by Ensemble Modern, Resident Orchestras London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and London Sinfonietta, and Associate Orchestra Aurora Orchestra, plus more. You can also make your own experimental music at one of our workshops, and gain insights direct from the composer at one of our informal Artists' Bars.
The accomplished, inventive comedian Thomas Monckton makes a fine art of physical comedy. His new show is set in an artist’s studio. But each task is a challenge, and chaos proves unavoidable.
Yuri Temirkanov and the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra
TS Eliot Prize Readings
Louie Vega
Space Shifters
The crowning glory of Russian culture performs the classics it once premiered: Prokofiev’s joyous First Symphony, Tchaikovsky's ravisihing Fifth, and Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto with star violinist Julia Fischer.
Get a hearty serving of E.O.L. Soulfrito from a band curated by house music icon Louie Vega, playing a savoury blend of jazz, funk, dance and soul music.
Hear the poets shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize reading from their own work, on the eve of the award ceremony and the announcement of the winner. Witness the first major highlight of the 2019 literary calendar.
Your last chance to see works by over 20 international artists that alter or disrupt our sense of space. Space Shifters features work by artists including Anish Kapoor, Yayoi Kusama, and Richard Wilson.
Daily listings
Tuesday 1 New Year’s Ceilidh
Welcome the New Year with traditional British folk music and dance, and a sprinkling of theatrics. 1pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Circus 1903
Roll up, roll up for daredevil entertainment at this turn-of-thecentury circus. 3pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £99.50
Wednesday 2 Space Shifters
View artwork by over 20 international artists on the theme of space disruption. 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Hayward Gallery; Hayward Gallery Supporter: £16.50**, Standard: £15
Rumpelstiltskin
Watch this new spin on a classic fairy tale, designed to delight the whole family.
7.30pm; see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Saturday 5 Space Shifters 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Rumpelstiltskin 2pm & 7pm; see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Maureen Lipman Is ‘Up for It’ 2.30pm & 7.30pm; see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Circus 1903 3pm & 7.30pm; see Tue 1 Jan for more details.
Sunday 6 Space Shifters 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Maureen Lipman Is ‘Up for It’
Circus 1903
Rumpelstiltskin
3pm & 7.30pm; see Tue 1 Jan for more details.
5pm; see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Maureen Lipman Is ‘Up for It’
Join the new queen of Coronation Street for an evening of rave, rollick and rant. 7.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £36.50
Thursday 3 Space Shifters
View artwork by over 20 international artists on the theme of space disruption. 11am – 9pm (last entry 8pm); see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Circus 1903 3pm & 7.30pm; see Tue 1 Jan for more details.
Rumpelstiltskin 7pm; see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Maureen Lipman Is ‘Up for It’
Space Shifters 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £3 online; £3.50 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a £1 delivery charge applies. * Book free events at southbankcentre.co.uk ** Supporter tickets include a voluntary donation of 10% of the standard admission charge, to support Southbank Centre’s work. For more information and to find out about Gift Aid, see southbankcentre.co.uk.
Maureen Lipman Is ‘Up for It’
4.30pm; see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Friday 4
Art Performance & dance Classical music Literature Archive studio Gigs & contemporary music Talks & topics Eat & explore
7pm; see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
2pm & 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £40
7.30pm; see Wed 2 Jan for more details.
Key
Rumpelstiltskin
Friday Lunch: Threaded
‘An absolute joy to listen to’ (Folk Radio UK). 1pm; Central Bar, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Circus 1903 3pm & 7.30pm; see Tue 1 Jan for more details.
Friday Tonic: Tom Green Septet
Hear contemporary chamber jazz tunes with rich harmony, propulsive grooves and memorable melodies. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Monday 7 Aleksandra Mir Presents the Pre-Presidential Library A free HENI Project Space exhibition featuring US tabloid coverage of Donald Trump, from 1986 to 2000.
11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free
Wednesday 9 Winter Warmer Social Tea Dance
Come for a twirl at our free monthly tea dance. 1.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday 11 Friday Lunch: Marco Marconi Trio Learn what smooth sounds like with the jazz pianist and his collaborators.
1pm; Central Bar, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Ballroom Get Down
It's the ultimate dance marathon. Are you ready to take the floor? 7pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Saturday 12 Gamelan Youth Course – Spring 2019
Come and explore ensemble musicmaking, for ages 11 – 18. 12 noon; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £60 per term
Aleksandra Mir Artist Talk
Aleksandra Mir talks about her exhibition. 2pm; HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free
Family Gamelan Taster Session
Bring your family and friends to play our Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra. 3pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £10
Gamelan Taster Workshop
Get an introduction to the Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra. 6.30pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £10
Ballroom Get Down 7pm; see Fri 11 Jan for more details. .
Sunday 13 TS Eliot Prize Preview with Jeremy Noel-Tod
On the day of the TS Eliot Prize Readings, the poetry critic assesses this year’s shortlist. 2pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £10
TS Eliot Prize Readings
On the eve of the TS Eliot Prize, hear the shortlisted poets reading from their own work. 7pm; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £15
Finchley Children’s Music Group 60th Anniversary
The choir and its alumni sing favourites by Britten, Holst and Tippett. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £30
Monday 14 A Manual for Dreaming Women – Poetry Course
Harness your dreams in a six-week poetry course for women. 7pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £90 for 6-week course.
Tuesday 15 Pavel Kolesnikov: Brahms, Tchaikovsky & Couperin
A poet of the keyboard (The Guardian) makes his International Piano Series debut. Brahms Intermezzo in E flat, Op.117 No.1 (Schlummer lied); Beethoven Sonata in E flat, Op.7; Brahms Intermezzo in B flat minor, Op.117 No.2; L.Couperin Pavanne in F sharp minor, G.120; Suite in A; Tchaikovsky Passé lointain, Op.72 No.17; Polka peu dansante, Op.51 No.2; Echo rustique, Op.72 No.13; Dumka (Russian rustic scene), Op.59; Rêverie interrompue, Op.40 No.12; Brahms Intermezzo in C sharp minor, Op.117 No.3 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £45
Wednesday 16 SoundState Sessions Volume 1
Start your night with an hour of free new music, presented by the Park Lane Group. Jonathan Radford saxophone Eleanor Kornas piano The Hermes Experiment Héloïse Werner soprano Oliver Pashley clarinet Anne Denholm harp Mariane Schofield double bass Sally Beamish Caliban for soprano saxophone & piano; Emma Wilde New work for saxophone & piano (World premiere); Helen Grime Shadowplay for soprano saxophone & piano; Jeremy Thurlow Quiet songs for soprano, clarinet, harp & double bass; Ben Graves New work for soprano, clarinet, harp & double bass (World premiere); Eloise Gynn Good morning Mr Blackbird for soprano, clarinet, harp & double bass 6pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Gary Numan in Conversation Hear from the electro pioneer in conversation as he reviews his monumental career. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £37.50
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Here and Now
Musical history in the making: you heard it here first. Marin Alsop conductor Stewart McIlwham piccolo Colin Currie percussion Arne Gieshoff Burr (World premiere); Erkki-Sven Tüür Piccolo Concerto (Solastalgia) (UK premiere); Helen Grime Percussion Concerto (World premiere); Louis Andriessen Agamemnon (European premiere); Anders Hillborg Sound Atlas (World premiere) 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £65; Royal Festival Hall at 6.15pm: pre-concert talk: The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall at 9.30pm: Admission free. Artists' Bar with Marin Alsop, Colin Currie and Helen Grime. Admission free
Thursday 17 SoundState Surgeries with PRS for Music
Find out everything you wanted to know about getting paid to write music. 1pm – 3pm; Foyle Pavilion, Level 3, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
SoundState Lounge
Need a space to talk about new music? Come on in. 3pm; Foyle Pavilion, Level 3, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
State of Sound: Do We Need New Music?
Join Susanna Eastburn MBE from Sound and Music and guest panelists for an exciting debate. 3.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
SoundState Sessions Volume 2
Thursday night starts with an hour of free new music, presented by the Park Lane Group. Gabriella Jones harp Eblana String Trio Paul Patterson Lizards for harp; Deborah Pritchard New work for harp (World premiere); Harrison Birtwistle Crowd for harp; GraceEvangeline Mason New work for string trio (World premiere); Graham Waterhouse Epitaphium – in memoriam W.R.W. for string trio; Hugh Wood Ithaka for string trio
SoundState Sessions Volume 3
Friday night continues with an hour of free new music, presented by the Park Lane Group. Phillip Leslie piano Laefer Saxophone Quartet Knussen Ophelia's Last Dance for piano; Gonçalo Gato New work for piano (World premiere); Boulez une page d’éphéméride for piano; Adam Gorb Let them play for saxophone quartet; Michael Cryne New work for saxophone quartet (World premiere); Michael Torke May for saxophone quartet
6pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
6.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
London Sinfonietta: James Dillon - Tanz/haus : triptych 2017
Leonidas Kavakos & Yuja Wang
Discover fresh sounds from cuttingedge music creators. Jonathan Berman conductor Sound Intermedia Programme includes: Josephine Stephenson New work (World premiere); Oliver Leith New work (World premiere); James Dillon Tanz/haus : triptych 2017 (London premiere)
The renowned violinist and acclaimed pianist partner up for a programme of classic duets. Mozart Violin Sonata in B flat, K.454; Prokofiev Violin Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.80; Bartók Rhapsody No.1 for violin & piano; R Strauss Violin Sonata in E flat, Op.18 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £55
Density 2036
The virtuosic American organist presents Bach at his best. Bach Clavier-Übung III
Marvel at flautist Claire Chase’s ambitious 22-year commissioning project at this performance. Varèse Density 21.5 for solo flute; Dai Fujikura Lila for flutes; Suzanne Farrin The stimulus of loss for flute & ondes martenot; Mario Diaz de Léon Luciform for flute & electronics; Du Yun An empty garlic for bass flute & electronics; Marcos Balter Suite from Pan
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £15
8pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £20; Royal Festival Hall at 6.15pm: pre-concert talk. Admission free. Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer at 9.30pm: Artists' Bar with James Dillon. Admission free.
Nathan Laube: Bach’s Clavier-Übung III
Friday 18 Rug Rhymes
A short session of nursery rhymes and poems for under-5s and their carers. 10.30am; National Poetry Library Reading Den, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
SoundState Surgeries with PRS for Music 10.30am – 12.50pm; see Thu 17 Jan for more details.
Friday Lunch: Rude Health
Dive into new music at a free, specially curated set from up-andcoming composers. 1pm; Central Bar, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
SoundState Lounge 1pm; see Thu 17 Jan for more details.
State of Sound: Our Creative Future
How does music education embrace the danger and excitement of creativity? Discuss, with composers Dominic Murcott and Aaron Cassidy. 3.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Friday Tonic: Shayna Dunkelman and Du Yun Witness two of the biggest names in New York’s creative music scene perform a rare duo set. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
SoundState Late: Claire Chase
Friday night closes with a special set of new and experimental music for solo flute. 10.15pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Saturday 19 Compose a Choir
Learn how to build innovative choral soundscapes with Esmeralda Conde Ruiz and Ben See. 11am; Blue Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
SoundState Scratch Orchestra
Want to perform new music but not played your instrument in a while? Join our one-time ensemble. 11am; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free: sign up at southbankcentre.co.uk
Composing and Arranging for Mixed-Ability Ensembles
Get tips to composing and arranging repertoire for mixed-ability ensembles at this workshop. 12 noon; Foyle Pavilion, Level 3, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Gamelan Youth Course – Spring 2019 12 noon; see Sat 12 Jan for more details.
SoundState Lounge 1.30pm; see Thu 17 Jan for more details.
State of Sound: It’s New Music, But Who’s Listening?
Fiona Robertson from Sound Scotland chairs a panel discussion with music industry professionals and composers to explore the reach of new music. 2pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Johann Strauss Gala
Enjoy an enchanting afternoon of your favourite waltzes and polkas. Johann Strauss Orchestra John Rigby conductor Corinne Cowling soprano William Morgan tenor Johann Strauss Dancers in period costume Alexandra Worrall choreographer, director Programme includes: J Strauss (son) Blue Danube Waltz; AschenbrödelWalzer (Cinderella Waltz); Thunder and Lightning Polka; Emperor Waltz (Kaiser); Voices of Spring (Fruhlingsstimmen); J Strauss (father) Radetzky-March; Sviridov Waltz from Snow Storm Suite 2.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14.50 – £44.50
The Loop Machine Choir
Take the music in a new direction at our experimental improvisation session. 2.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Ensemble Modern: New International Composers
Leading contemporary music specialists Ensemble Modern present new works by young composers. Vimbayi Kaziboni conductor Ashley Fure Feed forward (UK premiere); Anahita Abbasi Situation II / Dialoge (UK premiere); Martin Grütter Die Häutung des Himmels (UK premiere); Vito Žuraj Runaround for brass quartet & ensemble (UK premiere); Zeynep Gedizlioglu Kesik (Cut) (UK premiere) 4pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £20
SoundState Sessions Volume 4
Saturday night starts with an hour of free new music, presented by the Park Lane Group. Marta Fontanals-Simmons mezzo-soprano Lana Bode piano Lipatti Piano Quartet Judith Weir The voice of desire for mezzo-soprano & piano; Amy Bryce New work for mezzo-soprano & piano (World premiere); Graciane Finzi Cabaret Voltaire for mezzosoprano & piano; Mark-Anthony Turnage Three for two for piano quartet; Alex Woolf New work for piano quartet (World premiere); Joe Cutler Slippery Music for piano quartet. 6pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Ensemble Modern: Rebecca Saunders Portrait
Ensemble Modern presents the music of multi-award-winning British composer Rebecca Saunders. Vimbayi Kaziboni conductor Juliet Fraser soprano Rebecca Saunders Skin for soprano & 13 instruments; Fury II for double bass & ensemble; a visible trace for ensemble 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £20; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer at 9pm: Artists' Bar with Rebecca Saunders. Admission free.
SoundState Late: Ali Sethi
Hear a free late-night performance from the Pakistani superstar vocalist. 9.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Sunday 20 Bounce Beat Ping-Pong & Music Workshop
Investigate the rhythmic possibilities of the percussive sound of ping-pong in an open workshop. 12 noon; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Du Yun Curates: The New Java and Shanghai
The SoundState Featured Artist curates contemporary work from two of the ancient capitals of music, as a look into a future tradition. 1.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10
Composing Through Collaborative Performance
Get creative with composer Peter Wiegold and distinguished Chinese artists to learn techniques for composing, live devising and semiimprovised performance. 3pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Philharmonia Orchestra: English Fantasia
Three classic English works frame a new concerto for bass clarinet inspired by Greek legend. Martyn Brabbins conductor Laurent Ben Slimane bass clarinet Elgar Introduction and Allegro; Geoffrey Gordon Concerto for bass clarinet & orchestra (Prometheus) (London premiere); Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis; Britten The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra 3pm; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £58
Aurora Orchestra: Songs from the Road
Aurora Orchestra embarks on a journey through time and space in this Orchestral Theatre concert. Sam Amidon voice, guitar Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano Ali Sethi voice Shayna Dunkelman percussion Nicholas Collon conductor Khaled Jarrar film Traditional Two Sisters; Mahler Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen arr. Iain Farrington for chamber orchestra; Nico Muhly Saro; The Only Tune; Du Yun (with Khaled Jarrar) Where we lost our shadows (World premiere) 4pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £35; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer at 3.15pm: Artists' Bar with Du Yun and Susanna Eastburn. Admission free
Bounce Beat
Hear ping-pong in a whole new way at a musical performance incorporating the sounds of a live game. Part of SoundState. 6.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Sandi Toksvig Live! National Trevor
Laugh yourself silly at a new show packed with tall stories and funny facts. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £29
Music of Today: The Next Generation
Take in gripping music by two composers who are fast becoming the leading lights of their generation. Players from the Philharmonia Orchestra Dalia Stasevska conductor Claire Chase flute Dai Fujikura Concerto for flute & ensemble (UK premiere); Andrew Norman Try for ensemble 8pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Monday 21 Dragon Babies – Gamelan for 3 – 5 year olds
Shake, rattle and gong with your little ones. 11am, Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall. £5 (one child and accompanying adults)
Gong Babies
Join this relaxing music workshop aimed at parents, carers and babies. 2pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £5 (one baby and accompanying adults)
Irenosen Okojie’s Short Story Tool Box Incisive, mysterious, surprising: the short story form is addictive to writers.
7pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £90 for six-week course
Backup by Focus & Chaliwaté
Receive a powerful message about climate change through brilliant, witty and moving physical theatre. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12
Tuesday 22
Saturday 26
Gamelan & Poetry Workshops – Lambeth Primary Offer
Gamelan Youth Course – Spring 2019
10.30am; see Tue 15 Jan for more details.
12 noon; see Sat 12 Jan for more details.
Kensington Symphony Orchestra
The Artist by Thomas Monckton & Circo Aereo
Uncover vivid works by Korngold, Gershwin and Ravel. Russell Keable conductor Richard Uttley piano Epiphoni Consort Korngold Main theme from King’s Row; Gershwin Piano Concerto in F; Ravel Daphnis et Chloé (complete) 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £36
3pm & 7.45pm; see Thu 24 Jan for more details.
Ministry of Sound – The Annual Classical
Get euphoric at a collision of classical and dance music. London Concert Orchestra 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £60
Backup by Focus & Chaliwaté
The Artist by Thomas Monckton & Circo Aereo
7.45pm; see Tue 22 Jan for more details.
7.45pm; see Thu 24 Jan for more details.
Wednesday 23 Backup by Focus & Chaliwaté 7.45pm; see Tue 22 Jan for more details.
Thursday 24 Philharmonia Orchestra: Rouvali conducts Sibelius & Ravel
A jazz-inspired concerto, two waltzes with dark undercurrents and a symphonic debut. Santtu-Matias Rouvali conductor Alice Sara Ott piano Ravel La valse; Piano Concerto in G; Sibelius Valse triste; Symphony No.1 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £58
The Artist by Thomas Monckton/Circo Aereo
Making a fine art of physical comedy, Thomas Monckton presents his new solo show in a London premiere. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £18
Friday 25 Rug Rhymes 10.30am; see Fri 18 Jan for more details.
Friday Lunch: Andy Davies
Don’t miss this free performance by Ronnie Scott’s All Stars legendary trumpeter and his quartet. 1pm; Central Bar, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday Tonic: Cable Street Collective
Get the weekend off to the best possible start at a free gig by this group of groove mongerers. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
The Artist by Thomas Monckton & Circo Aereo 7.45pm; see Thu 24 Jan for more details.
Sunday 27 The Artist by Thomas Monckton & Circo Aereo 3pm; see Thu 24 Jan for more details
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Die Walküre
The second part of Wagner’s Ring Cycle contains some of the most emotion-drenched music in all opera. Vladimir Jurowski conductor Stuart Skelton tenor, Siegmund Evgeny Nikitin bass, Wotan Ruxandra Donose mezzo-soprano, Sieglinde Stephen Milling bass, Hunding Claudia Mahnke mezzo-soprano, Fricka Svetlana Sozdateleva soprano, Brünnhilde Ursula Hesse von den Steinen mezzo-soprano, Waltraute Sinéad Campbell-Wallace soprano, Helmwige Alwyn Mellor soprano, Gerhilde Gabriela Iştoc soprano, Ortlinde Hanna Hipp mezzo-soprano, Rossweisse Angela Simkin mezzo-soprano, Siegrune Rachael Lloyd mezzo-soprano, Grimgerde Susan Platts contralto, Schwertleite Wagner Die Walküre – opera in 3 acts (performed in German with English surtitles) 4pm; Royal Festival Hall; £15 – £80
Monday 28 Dragon Babies – Gamelan for 3 – 5 year olds 11am; see Mon 21 Jan for more details.
A Manual for Dreaming Women – Poetry Course 7pm; see Mon 14 Jan for more details.
Trinity Laban Gold Medal Showcase 2019
Witness seven outstanding young musicians compete for Trinity Laban’s Gold Medal 2019. 7pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Polari: Featuring Julie Cohen
Popular author Julie Cohen headlines the beloved LGBTQ+ literary salon in its first showcase of 2019. 7.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £5
Tuesday 29 Gamelan & Poetry Workshops – Lambeth Primary Offer 10.30am; see Tue 15 Jan for more details.
1769: A Year in Music
A fascinating survey of the musical scene across Europe 250 years ago, performed by Ian Page’s acclaimed period-instrument orchestra. The Mozartists Ian Page conductor Chiara Skerath soprano James Newby baritone Mozart Symphony (movements 2, 5, 6 & 7) from Cassation in G, K.63; Arne Thou soft flowing Avon & Tho' crimes and death from torture fly from An Ode upon Dedicating a Building to Shakespeare; Mozart Cara se le mie pene; Paisiello Venga pur, ma zitto zitto from Don Chisciotte della Mancia; Haydn Son vecchio, son furbo from Le Pescatrici; Leopold Mozart Allegro (1st movement) from Symphony in G (Neue Lambacher); CPE Bach Aria, Gott, sieh dein Volk from Die Israeliten in der Wüste (The Israelites in the Desert); Gluck Aria, Nochier che in mezzo all’onde from Aristeo (Act 2) from Le feste d’Apollo; Haydn Symphony No.48 (Maria Theresia) 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £4 Queen Elizabeth Hall at 6pm: Pre-concert talk with leading Mozart scholar Professor Cliff Eisen; Admission free
Yuri Temirkanov and the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra
The St Petersburg Philharmonic performs the thrilling Russian classics it once premiered. Yuri Temirkanov conductor Julia Fischer violin Prokofiev Symphony No.1 (Classical); Shostakovich Violin Concerto No.1; Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £75
Wednesday 30 London Philharmonic Orchestra: Dido and Aeneas
Henry Purcell turned the tragedy of Dido into what might be the first truly great opera in English. Sir Roger Norrington conductor Marie-Claude Chappuis soprano, Dido Lucy Crowe soprano, Belinda Benjamin Appl tenor, Aeneas Anna Dennis soprano, 2nd Woman Edward Grist countertenor, Sorceress, Spirit Ciara Hendrick mezzo-soprano, 1st Witch Anna Harvey mezzo-soprano, 2nd Witch Handel Water Music, Suites 1 & 2; Purcell Dido and Aeneas 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £65; Royal Festival Hall at 6.15pm: pre-concert talk; Admission free
Nobuyuki Tsujii: Satie, Debussy & Chopin
Don't miss the Japanese pianist, who has been blind from birth, making his International Piano Series debut. Satie 3 Gymnopédies; Debussy Images, Set 1; Ravel Sonatine; Chopin: Scherzi: No.1 in B minor, Op.20; No.2 in B flat minor, Op.31; No.3 in C sharp minor, Op.39; No.4 in E, Op.54 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £45
Lao Can Impression
Based on Liu E’s Travels of Lao Can and the music of Debussy, Lao Can Impression explores the cultural exchange between East and West, featuring La mer, Images and the Cello Sonata. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £18
Thursday 31 Southwark Schools Percussion Festival 2019 Over 200 young percussionists perform Latin and African grooves.
5pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Louie Vega’s EOL Soulfrito
Get a hearty serving of EOL Soulfrito from a band curated by house music icon Louie Vega, playing a savoury blend of jazz, funk, dance and soul music. 8pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £35
Throughout the month Constructing Spaces
Make room for creativity at an interactive reconstruction of poet WS Graham’s creative space. Daily except Mondays; 11am – 8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Every 27 September
Uncover the history of Southbank Centre through archives from a single date across the decades. Daily; 10am – 11pm; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
David Batchelor: Sixty Minute Spectrum Redux (2018)
See our venues illuminated in dramatic colour by a new large-scale light commission. Until Sun 6 Jan; Royal Festival Hall Roof
Aleksandra Mir Presents the Pre-Presidential Library
A free HENI Project Space exhibition featuring US tabloid coverage of Donald Trump, from 1986 to 2000. 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Thursday until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesday; HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free
Gamelan Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Courses
Whatever your level, join our Javanese gamelan adult evening classes. Various dates and times; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £100 per term or £270 for three terms in advance. See southbankcentre. co.uk/gamelan for more details.
Gamelan School and Group Workshops – Spring 2019
Get a group together to have a go at playing the Javanese gamelan. Various dates and times; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £195 for a group. See southbankcentre.co.uk for more details.
Gamelan & Poetry Workshops – Lambeth Primary Offer
We invite Lambeth primary schools to free gamelan and poetry workshops. 10.30am; Tuesdays; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Schools Workshops
Teachers are invited to bring a primary or secondary school class to take part in term-time workshops designed for schools. Book for Gamelan, Archive, Poetry, or Organ workshops throughout the year. SEND groups welcome. Various dates and times; prices vary. See southbankcentre.co.uk/schools for more details.
Getting here Queen Elizabeth Hall & Purcell Room ter Wa
National Theatre
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By tube Waterloo (200 metres) Embankment (600 metres)
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Royal Festival Hall
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Hayward Gallery Be lve de re R
By train The nearest stations are: Waterloo Waterloo East Charing Cross Blackfriars
IMAX
By bus Route RV1 stops on Belvedere Road (less than a minute’s walk away) Routes 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 521, N1, N68, N171 and N343 stop on Waterloo Bridge (a two-minute walk away) Routes 76, 77, 211, 341, 381, 507, N381, N76 and RV1 stop on York Road (five minutes' walk away)
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London Waterloo East
While you’re here
Yo rk
Southbank Centre
LondonSouthbank Centre occupies a 17-acre site in the midst of Eye London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Waterloo
Thames. This includes Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery. We also curate the outdoor spaces along the riverfront and around our venues. Waterloo We believe art has the power to help create a better world for Station everyone. It was this belief that led to our creation in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain – a major exhibition and festival that gave the nation hope for a brighter future.
Today, millions of people gather at our events each year to enjoy culture from around the world, making us the UK's seventh most popular visitor attraction. We put on over 3,000 concerts, gigs, exhibitions, shows and debates every year, half of them for free. We also work with thousands of children and young people.
How to book tickets Online southbankcentre.co.uk* By phone 020 3879 9555* 9am – 8pm daily In person Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office 10am – 8pm daily
You’ll never be short of eating and drinking options at Southbank Centre – we’ve got everything from cafes and sandwich shops to fine dining and bars. Browse our shops for designer concessions, unusual gifts, jewellery and homeware. Cafes, restaurants and bars You can grab a snack, sit down for a meal, or relax over a drink at a selection of venues across our site. Concrete Cafe in Queen Elizabeth Hall offers a range of food for breakfast and lunch. Hayward Gallery Cafe is London's hidden gem for quiet drinks with friends with spectacular views over Waterloo Bridge. For fine dining, head to Skylon and to Côte Brasserie and to Honest Burgers for drinks and meals with friends. For more information, see southbankcentre.co.uk/food Shops Begin the year with a refesh by picking up stylish products, including items for your home, from one of our three shops: Hayward Gallery Shop, Southbank Centre Shop and Royal Festival Hall Shop. Seen something here and forgot to pick it up? Shop online at shop.southbankcentre.co.uk Southbank Centre Food Market Discover why our food market is a food lover’s destination, as our traders return with delicious street food for every appetite.
* There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £3 online; £3.50 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a £1 delivery charge applies.
Access
Friday, 12 noon – 8pm Saturday, 11am – 8pm Sunday, 12 noon – 6pm Bank Holiday Mondays, 12 noon – 6pm
We offer BSL Interpretation, Speech-to-Text Transcription, Audio Description, Captioning, and Autism-Friendly Performances. To join our Access Scheme and book concessionary tickets, email accesslist@southbankcentre.co.uk or call 020 3879 9555. Level access is available to all our venues. For more access information please visit southbankcentre.co.uk/access
Membership Become a Member and be first in line for tickets to over 5,700 events. Join now at southbankcentre.co.uk/membership
Support Join our family of supporters and help us continue to present as many free activities as possible, making art available to all at southbankcentre.co.uk/support
Listings correct at time of going to press. Southbank Centre is a registered charity no. 298909
On the cover: Du Yun © Spa Theory 2017 Highlights page: SoundState © Karen Chester, Yuri Temirkanov and the St Petersburg Philharmonic © Orchestra, Felix Broede, The Artist © Antti Saukko, Leonidas Kavakos & Yuja Wang © Decca / Ben Ealovega, TS Eliot Prize Readings © Herbert Van Dyck, Installation view of Richard Wilson's 20:50 (1987) at Space Shifters, Hayward Gallery 2018. Photo: Mark Blower Full page image: © Philharmonia Orchestra
To receive publications in alternative formats, and for further information, email accesslist@southbankcentre. co.uk or phone 020 3879 9555