South Bank sidelines major orchestras in classical revamp

London’s South Bank Centre has sent us its new classical strategy for next season.

It makes depressing reading. Lots of worthy ‘new’ ensembles, but the major resident orchestra are pushed to the back burner and there is little sign of the big international ensembles that used to give the site its aura.

There doesn’t seem to be much music for grown-ups.

Read this:

– New experiences introducing new audiences to classical music including Paraorchestra’s immersive orchestral experience, Barokksolistene’s 17th century alehouse, Aurora Orchestra’s thrilling ‘Symphonie Fantastique’, and The Multi-Story Orchestra with special shows for families
– A commitment to championing artists as part of a new cohort of Resident Artists, in collaboration with the Southbank Centre’s Resident Orchestras, featuring genre-blurring pioneers and big names in classical music: Abel Selaocoe, Daniel Pioro, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Víkingur Ólafsson and Manchester Collective
– A refreshed contemporary programme featuring exciting new commissions, world premiere album projects, and multimedia experiences including a specially made production from violist Lawrence Power and creative studio Âme
– A celebration of two towering figures of the 20th century: Shostakovich and Xenakis, as well as global stars of keyboard and chamber music including Mahan Esfahani, Iveta Apkalna, Nobuyuki Tsujii, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Emerson Quartet, Colin Currie Group, JACK Quartet, Isata Kanneh-Mason and Maxwell Quartet.
– The Southbank Centre is delighted to announce two new additions to its group of Resident Orchestras: Aurora Orchestra and Chineke! Orchestra.

Toks Dada, Head of Classical Music at the Southbank Centre (pictured), said: “With this programme, we are being artist-driven, audience-focused, and pushing forward the artform of classical music. We are championing a new cohort of Resident Artists, in collaboration with our new group of Resident Orchestras, featuring genre-blurring pioneers with whom we are commissioning new work and enabling their creative vision.We’re working with new partners to create new ways for people to experience classical music, in many cases for the very first time, including an immersive orchestral experience from Paraorchestra, Barokksolistene’s 17th-century alehouse, and events for young people, including The Multi-Story Orchestra’s musical journey around our site. We also celebrate our multicultural society with work that reflects cultures worldwide; celebrate 20th-century pioneers; and bring multimedia into the concert hall. Beginning with the curated Opening Weekend Festival, we are inviting more people to immerse themselves in the wonder of classical music.”