London Schools Symphony Orchestra

Benjamin Britten’s educational masterpiece has inspired and initiated generations of young musicians around the world with its complex yet comprehensive navigation of the symphony orchestra and its instantly recognisable variations. 

Described as ‘Britain’s greatest living composer of art songs’, Ian Venables’ song cycle takes its words from the late 19th-century-poet John Addington Symonds. For this performance the songs have been specially orchestrated by the conductor Matthew Lynch, and Guildhall alumnus Alessandro Fisher features as tenor soloist.

Further from home, Holst’s musical exploration of the solar system is packed with tunes that have laid the stylistic for a century of film music. Even if you have never heard of The Planets you will know the tunes.