The festive season in December showcases a range of musical offerings across the UK, from traditional Christmas carols to contemporary performances reminiscent of a classic holiday. Events include a variety of orchestral concerts and artistic interpretations of musical classics, catering to both enthusiastic celebrators and those seeking alternative festive experiences, reports BritPanorama.
This month’s highlighted classical events feature an evening of orchestral fantasies, one of the great Romantic piano concertos, and captivating soundtracks from iconic films, all performed by some of London’s finest musicians. Audiences can look forward to a melange of traditional and innovative music to mark the season.
Christmas music by candlelight
Touring, 2-22 Dec
The festive atmosphere is heightened by the acclaimed Birmingham-based Ex Cathedra, renowned for creating memorable concerts across various venues including Leicester, Hereford, and London. This year’s programme features readings, music, and processions that guide the audience from darkness into light, showcasing works by composers such as Benjamin Britten, Sally Beamish, and Peter Warlock, alongside poetry by Ben Okri and George Herbert.
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 90th Anniversary Concert
City Halls, Glasgow, 4 Dec
The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 90th anniversary with a concert featuring pianist Stephen Hough. The event will showcase Grieg’s piano concerto, known for its lyrical beauty, and Michael Tippett’s oratorio A Child of Our Time, which comments on tyranny and peace and is set against the backdrop of the Second World War. An impressive line-up of soloists will perform alongside the orchestra, enhancing the concert’s historical significance.
Bartok and Ravel
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 4 December
This concert promises an engaging experience with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, under conductor Pierre Bleuse. The programme features Ravel’s Mother Goose, weaving tales of familiar fairytales, and Bartok’s darker The Miraculous Mandarin, creating a stark contrast through its macabre themes. The soloist will be 2024 BBC Young Musician-winner Ryan Wang, contributing fresh talent to a dynamic evening.
Last Days
Linbury Theatre, London, 5-20 Dec
Following a successful premiere, the opera Last Days returns for a limited revival at the Royal Opera House. Inspired by the last hours of Kurt Cobain, this innovative work blends sound and silence in a dreamlike narrative, highlighting ongoing themes of existential reflection. Features include a cast adorned in Balenciaga costumes, contributing to the contemporary aesthetic of the production.
Wild Arts: Messiah
Touring, 2-18 December
The Essex-based opera company Wild Arts presents a unique interpretation of Handel’s Messiah this December. Directed by Tom Morris, this fully dramatized rendition transforms the oratorio into an intimate theatrical experience, engaging audiences through both solos and chorus performed by an ensemble of young singers with period-instrument accompaniment.
The Golden Age of Hollywood and Beyond
Barbican, London, 17 & 18 Dec
Celebrating film scores from the Golden Age of Hollywood, the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Antonio Pappano, will take the audience on a journey through renowned soundtracks, including compositions from Max Steiner and Nino Rota. The concert aims to highlight the important role that background music plays in cinema, providing a symphonic experience that elevates these compositions and invites audiences to appreciate their cultural significance.
