With mesmerising music paying tribute to the likes of Harry Styles, Beyoncé and Fleetwood filling the halls of architectural gems dotted about London, there’s something to suit every taste on this roundup of the best classical concerts in London. You’ll hear music from some of the greatest contemporary composers and artists, whilst enjoying the serene surroundings of a venue that’s being bathed in the gentle glow of candlelight. Here’s our guide to classical concerts in London during Spring 2023 – prepare for some real magic:
April 14: Candlelight: A Tribute To Beyoncé
‘All the single ladies, all the single ladies’ – we all know the rest right, but this isn’t just one for the single ladies. If you’re a Queen Bey fan, then this is perhaps the best thing outside of seeing her at Tottenham Stadium in May and June.
Taking over the stunning Glazier’s Hall in London Bridge, a candlelit orchestra will relay all of her smash-hits, including ‘Love On Top’, ‘Crazy In Love’, ‘Irreplaceable’ and latest hit ‘Cuff It’. It’ll be a real night to remember, so grab your tickets here.
April 15: Candlelight: A Tribute to Harry Styles
Now much like Queen Bey, this man needs no introduction. The young and already legendary British pop star Harry Styles has already sold over 700,000 albums – and that was just last year alone! You can catch ‘As It Was’, ‘Watermelon Sugar’, ‘Sweet Creature’, ‘Grapejuice’, and many more of his hits, performed live by a group of world-class musicians.
The gig will also be taking place in the gorgeous Glazier’s Hall, from where you’ll be able to soak up panoramic Thames views. Get involved here.
April 16: Patricia Kopatchinskaja: Maria Mater Meretrix
For the final concert of her Artist Spotlight series, the visionary violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja will bring together an unusual selection of short pieces with one thing in common – they’re all inspired by the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene.
Sweeping across time from 12th-century von Bingen and 16th-century Victoria to the more recent Kurtag and Crumb, she will examine how composers have viewed these key figures. Pretty intriguing stuff. She’s playing at Barbican Hall and you can find out more here.
April 16: Don Quixote Rides Again
Ever since it was first coined back in 1605 – when Cervantes’ tragicomic hero first rode out in search of his impossible dream – the figure of Don Quixote has inspired artists, idealists and classical composers too. And for good reason – it’s bloomin’ fantastic!
This fascinating evening at the spellbinding Royal Festival Hall will see London Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor Emeritus Vladimir Jurowski do a retelling of Richard Strauss’ epic performance – complete with sorcerers, knights, windmills that look like giants and a whole flock of bleating sheep. The production will also open with one of the most well-known pieces in history: Mozart’s dark and stormy Symphony No.40. Winner, winner. Find out more here.
April 25: Maxim Vengerov: Brahm’s Gala
The legendary Maxim Vengerov – who has been one of the world’s leading violinists for more than four decades – is dedicating a whole evening to the music of one of the most important composers of all time (AKA Johannes Brahms). On Vengerov’s special request, rising star Sandra Lied Haga, well known to the London audience since her spectacular Wigmore Hall debut at the age of 12, will make her debut on the Royal Albert Hall stage.
As the special guest of the evening, Haga will join Vengerov for the Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. This will be one for the books! Find out more here.
April 28: Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Whether you know them from Stevie Nicks’ solo debut or have been following them since their early beginnings back in the late 1960’s, the British-American legendary band Fleetwood Mac continues to put their fans under a spell with their groovy instrumentals and fantastic vocals.
‘Dreams’, ‘Landslide’, ‘Rhiannon’ and more will sound in Marylebone’s stunning St. Mary’s Church this Spring and make for a heavenly night out. You really don’t want to miss out on this one – cop your tickets here.
May 5: The World’s Wife
Ever wondered what it was like being married to Shakespeare or Darwin? Well with this classical concert in London, you’re gonna find out! History does not report of course, but poet Carol Ann Duffy has taken the narrative into her own hands with The World’s Wife – a classical concert which imagines the perspectives of the wives of famous male figures throughout history.
Tom W Green’s chamber opera helps to bring Duffy’s characters to vivid life, peppering them with his own influences across jazz, pop, rock and choral music. Add in the fact that this one is playing in the beautiful Milton Court Concert Hall near the Barbican and you can see why it’s a complete winner! Find out more here.
May 17: The Royal Choral Society’s 150th Anniversary Concert For The King’s Coronation
Music fit for a king! Well it’s only fitting… This Coronation weekend, join the Royal Choral Society for a choral music extravaganza as it celebrates the crowning of our new king and marks the choir’s own 150th anniversary.
Taking place in the legendary Royal Albert Hall, this celebratory afternoon concert will showcase the highlights of their choral repertoire, alongside music by Handel, Mozart, Coleridge-Taylor, Rachmaninoff and Panufnik, plus a few surprises along the way. Find out more here.
May 17: The Corinthian Orchestra Performs Mahler 5
The famous Corinthian Orchestra returns to the Queen Elizabeth Hall in the Southbank Centre this May for their annual visit, and this season’s programme includes two iconic 20th-century pieces. The first of these fantastic renditions is Richard Strauss’ ‘Four Last Songs’, which portray intensely moving poems contemplating Autumn, sunset and sleep.
The next of these is Mahler’s Symphony No.5, which takes you on a journey of midnight storms, joyous horn-calls and ‘possibly the most tender love letter ever written without words’ – the mesmerising Adagietto. Find out more here.
May 20: Candlelight: A Tribute To Taylor Swift
London’s ‘Swifties’ will be more than delighted to hear that there’s a new Candlelight concert in town all about celebrating America’s Sweetheart‘s songs. She had her first record deal when she was only 15, and released her self-titled album in 2006, which catapulted her into stardom.
Now, 17 years (and countless Grammys) later, she’s sold over 200 million albums globally, making her one of the best-selling musicians in history. Hits played throughout this magical evening at Southwark Cathedral will include ‘Love Story’ and ‘Cardigan’ – get ready to ‘Shake It Off’! Get a hold of your tickets here.
May 24: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Another banger of a London classical concert here. The incredible Estonian National Symphony Orchestra will provide the finale to Cadogan Hall’s Zurich International Orchestra Series 2022-23 in what promises to be a night to remember. They’re opening with a piece with a work by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt – whom many regard as the world’s greatest living composer – in a moving tribute to the famous poet Benjamin Britten.
They’ll be ending with Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony, which is inspired by a flight of swans above Sibelius’ country home where he wrote the Symphony. Get more info here.
May 25: Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros.
Our final addition to this roundup of the best classical concerts in London is a real humdinger. This year, Warner Bros. celebrates 100 years of storytelling. And to celebrate their 100th anniversary, Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment has joined forces with Fever to bring to life some of its most iconic songs from its most beloved series and films.
Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros. will reinterpret songs from series like Friends and films like The Exorcist and A Star is Born in 100 concerts in 100 cities around the world. And luckily for you dear reader, London is one of the first on the list. With soundtracks from iconic films such as The Lord of Rings and The Wizard of Oz, this is going to be one magical evening. Join the magic here.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best classical concerts in London for Spring. So take your pick and get ready for a magical evening of some of the best classical music in town.