13 September 2024

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to host London Philharmonic Orchestra performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is set to welcome back one of the world’s best and most famous orchestras.

The Grammy-winning London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) will return to the iconic venue, operated by Glasgow Life, to perform Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony on Saturday 15 March 2025 from 7.30-9.45pm.

The concert has been arranged by Glasgow Life, the charity that leads culture and sport in the city. It will mark a rare appearance in Scotland for the orchestra, which last played at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 2008.

Conductor Robin Ticciati will be joined by pianist Francesco Piemontesi for Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto before the LPO takes the audience on a blockbuster journey from darkness to light with Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, told in funeral marches, Viennese waltzes and the rapturous Adagietto.

The orchestra has been celebrated as one of the world’s greatest since it was founded in 1932 by Sir Thomas Beecham.

It has gathered global attention over the decades, most notably playing the national anthems of the world at every medal ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, and releasing an iconic recording of Nessun Dorma with Luciano Pavarotti which made it a worldwide football anthem. It also closed the flotilla at Queen Elizabeth II’s Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant and has featured on the soundtracks of major films, including The Lord of the Rings.

With over 15 million plays of its content each month, the LPO is one of the world’s most-streamed orchestras. In 2023, it was the most followed orchestra worldwide, with more than 1.1 million followers across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall has hosted a who’s who of music superstars and is also home to Scotland’s national orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO).

Billy Garrett, Director of Culture, Tourism and Events at Glasgow Life, said: “It’s wonderful that one of the world’s great orchestras, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, is returning to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow is internationally renowned as a great place to enjoy live music and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is central to the city’s music scene and offer. The audience can look forward to a memorable performance.”

The London Philharmonic Orchestra said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Glasgow in 2025, it will be a real honour to perform Mahler’s Fifth Symphony at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. This concert, conducted by Robin Ticciati, promises to be a very special evening.”

Tickets for Glasgow Life Presents: London Philharmonic Orchestra – Mahler’s Fifth are on sale from today (Friday 13 September 2024) and available online at www.glasgowlife.org.uk/tickets or by phoning the box office on 0141 353 8000 (lines are open Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm). Tickets can also be bought in-person at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall box office from Monday to Saturday (10am-5pm).