To many music lovers, Britain is Music Heaven, with hundreds of venues, concerts and gigs to suit every taste or genre. Whether your favourite is rock, jazz, folk or classical; grime, gunge or gangsta rap - or a sound so new it doesn’t have a name yet - the UK hosts a breadth and variety of music unequalled anywhere on the planet.
London’s Southbank Centre, a particular jewel in the nation’s musical crown, starts the new year with a passion, offering plenty to stir the heart and warm the soul. Expect a glittering array of classical pearls, historic gems and contemporary sparklers, as the world’s most gifted musicians take centre stage and wave batons, show off vocal vim and make their instruments sing.
Belief and Beyond Belief is the Southbank Centre’s rich, ripe central theme for 2017, bringing with it an ambitious year-long festival of music, performance, film, debate and exhibitions. If you’ve ever asked yourself “Being human: what’s it all about?”, this is the festival for you. In a fruitful partnership with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, there will be eight themed weekends across the year. A creative mix of music, words and ideas will explore massive themes like “The search for the meaning of life”; “How do we live with death?” and “Can science and religion live side by side?”.
The coming Southbank year will also see dozens of musical premieres and artist debuts, movie screenings with live orchestra, an international piano series and a Nordic season, as well as the annual Women of the World, EFG London Jazz, Darbar Indian Music and Imagine Children’s festivals.You’ll be spoilt for choice with evenings of Mozart masterpieces, the Sounds of Musicals, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and concerts from the cream of classical soloists like Mitsuko Uchida, Pinchas Zukerman, Maurizio Pollini and Vladimir Ashkenazy.
You can always depend on the Southbank to have plenty for families and young people, including its popular FUNharmonics family concert. This year’s Imagine Children’s Festival will have a strong Nordic focus. There will be dancing, singing, wiggling, giggling and other childish fun for all ages, from Groove Baby, dance for the very youngest set, to Rave-a-Roo, a brand new clubbing experience for the whole family.
The Southbank offers many attractively priced or free options, such as over-60s concessions, student and family tickets, series savings, Friday Tonic after-work concerts and other free foyer events.
Further information: www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Image: The magic of music, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Southbank Centre, photo copyright Benjamin Ealovega
Article by Judith Schrut. Email Judith at judith0777@gmail.com