London Philharmonic Orchestra 2025/26 season brochure - Eastbourne Congress Theatre by London Philharmonic Orchestra

2025/26 concert season at

Hello Eastbourne!

Whether you’re a London Philharmonic Orchestra superfan, or you’re hearing about us for the first time, we’re thrilled to share our 2025/26 Congress Theatre season with you.

Bridging tradition and innovation, our mission is to create unrivalled orchestral experiences for audiences everywhere. We’ve enjoyed performing at the Congress Theatre for over 60 years, and are proud to be a Resident Orchestra, bringing some of today’s most exciting artists and up-and-coming talent each season.

Nothing brings music to life like a room full of people, connected in the moment. This season, you can be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s emotional Sixth Symphony on 5 October. Feel magic in the air as we perform Ravel’s fairytale Mother Goose Suite, alongside enchanting works by Prokofiev and Bizet, on 2 November. Enjoy Mozart and Beethoven at their most stylish and sparkling on 18 January. Join our Principal Conductor Edward Gardner to celebrate our rich British tradition in a concert dedicated to Elgar on 8 February. Embark on a journey from the rugged Scottish seascape of Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture

Elena Dubinets Artistic Director

David Burke Chief Executive

to the fire and fantasy of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite on 15 March. And explore the epic vistas and northern forests of Sibelius’s First Symphony on 19 April.

We’re committed to shaping a future for classical music that is inclusive, inspiring and vital. Beyond the concert hall, we continue our partnership with the Sussex Music Hub, offering exciting musical opportunities for young people in Eastbourne and beyond. We’re bringing our popular BrightSparks schools concert to the Congress Theatre once again, offering children aged 7–11 the unforgettable experience of hearing a full orchestra live and up close. We’re also excited to collaborate with AudioActive in Eastbourne, an organisation that offers a safe space for young people to hone their musical skills. As well as working with children and young people, we’re continuing to build connections with local organisations, bringing music into the heart of communities.

There are so many exciting moments to come at the Congress Theatre this season, and we can’t wait to share them with you. This is where classical music comes alive.

Tchaikovsky’s Sixth

Verdi Prelude from Aida (6’)

Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 (23’) Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique) (45’)

Pablo González conductor Alena Baeva violin

Passion beyond measure … ‘Pathétique’ means ‘full of feeling’ and there’s still no better description of the unchained melodies and raw emotion of Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary final symphony. But the same goes for every note of this concert from conductor Pablo González, whether it’s Verdi’s epic drama of love and jealousy in ancient Egypt, or the heartfelt beauty and musical fireworks of Bruch’s hugely popular First Violin Concerto. According to Classic FM, it’s Britain’s favourite romantic violin concerto, and with the ‘soaring and entrancing’ (Bachtrack) Alena Baeva as the soloist, we think you’ll hear why today.

© V SHIROKOV

Pablo González

Alena Baeva

Leia Zhu plays Prokofiev

Ravel Mother Goose Suite (16’)

Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1 (22’)

Bizet Symphony in C (28’)

Nodoka Okisawa conductor

Leia Zhu violin

The nights are drawing in and the sea’s getting distinctly chilly – what better time for a concert full of summer sunshine from conductor Nodoka Okisawa and the London Philharmonic Orchestra? Ravel opens his book of fairytales, and conjures sounds of pure enchantment. The young Bizet pours all his genius into a symphony that seems to dance and glow with sun-kissed melody (you can tell that this is the composer of Carmen). And the phenomenal 19-year-old violinist Leia Zhu weaves her spell in Prokofiev’s shimmering First Violin Concerto: believe us, it’s going to be magical.

Pre-concert event, 2.15pm

Enjoy a free performance by Soundcastle’s People’s Music Collective in the Congress Theatre foyer. Soundcastle is a dynamic arts organisation that empowers communities through creative music-making, championing collaboration, wellbeing, and the joy of musical discovery.

Nodoka Okisawa Leia Zhu

Beethoven’s Second

Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin (16’)

Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5, K219 (Turkish) (31’)

Beethoven Symphony No. 2 (34’)

Erina Yashima conductor

Maria Włoszczowska violin

Young hearts run free. Mozart was still a teenager when he wrote his Fifth Violin Concerto, but genius is genius and the result is the sparkiest, quirkiest and most stylish showpiece ever written for a world-class violinist. Maria Włoszczowska brings it to life today – a sparkling centrepiece to a concert that begins with Ravel’s bittersweet homage to a vanished world, and ends with Beethoven in full, dazzling flight. His youthful Second Symphony is daring, dashing, and packed with musical humour – perfect, in other words, for conductor Erina Yashima and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Erina Yashima

Maria Włoszczowska

‘This concert was a masterclass in orchestral storytelling and an absolute must-see for classical music lovers.’

The Live Review

Strauss’s

Ein Heldenleben at the Royal Festival Hall, 25 October 2024

Edward Gardner conducts Elgar

Elgar Sospiri (5’)

Elgar Cello Concerto (30’)

Elgar Enigma Variations (32’)

Edward Gardner* conductor

Jan Vogler cello

There’s only one Edward Elgar – or is there? For the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Principal Conductor Edward Gardner, Elgar is more than just a national institution with a walrus moustache. He’s the haunted, autumnal poet of the Cello Concerto (composed among the Sussex Downs); he’s a wit, a statesman, a romantic and –above all – he’s the composer who poured out his soul in ‘Nimrod’, the unforgettable centrepiece of the Enigma Variations. You’ll hear all this and much more when we play both of these much-loved classics, with the great Jan Vogler – a legend among cellists –making a rare Eastbourne appearance.

*Edward Gardner’s position in the LPO is generously supported by Aud Jebsen.

© JASON

© MARCO GROB

Edward Gardner

Jan Vogler

The Firebird

Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture (11’)

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23

in A major, K488 (26’)

Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (10’)

Stravinsky Firebird Suite (1919 version) (19’)

Dionysis Grammenos conductor

Lukas Sternath piano

Deep in a kingdom of shadow rules the greenclawed demon king Kashchey – but young Prince Ivan has a gallant heart, and with the aid of the enchanted Firebird, even the darkest spells can be broken. When Stravinsky composed The Firebird he didn’t just imagine a wondrous fantasy world. He let us hear it, too, and today conductor Dionysis Grammenos and the LPO take you to new realms of sound – from Debussy’s sensuous arcadia, to Mendelssohn’s Scottish seascape. Pianist Lukas Sternath, meanwhile, brings all his award-winning artistry to Mozart’s 23rd Piano Concerto. Some say it’s his loveliest.

Pre-concert event, 2.15pm

Enjoy the sound of local young talent, as musicians from Create Music give a special free performance in the Congress Theatre foyer. Create Music is part of Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival and the Hub Lead Organisation for the Sussex Music Hub.

© THOMAS RABSCH

Dionysis Grammenos

Lukas Sternath

Sibelius’s First

Price Andante moderato for string orchestra (7’)

Barber Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (16’)

Gershwin Selections from Porgy and Bess (10’)

Sibelius Symphony No. 1 (38’)

Nefeli Chadouli* conductor

Nadine Benjamin soprano

‘Tremendous’ declared one critic when Nadine Benjamin made her Glyndebourne debut, and this dazzling British soprano has a voice that has to be heard to be believed. Today she joins the London Philharmonic Orchestra to bring all her radiance, her insight and her effortless dramatic flair to Eastbourne. How to follow that? Rising star (and LPO Fellow Conductor) Nefeli Chadouli explores the epic vistas and northern forests of Sibelius’s First Symphony: a young genius in a new nation, pouring all his imagination into music as wild as a winter storm and as wonderful as the Northern Lights.

*LPO Fellow Conductor 2025/26. The LPO Conducting Fellowship receives generous support from Gini and Richard Gabbertas.

Nadine Benjamin Nefeli Chadouli

Connected by Music

In addition to our Sunday concerts at the Congress Theatre, we’re thrilled to partner with local communities to spread the joy of orchestral music far and wide, through performances, workshops, training and more.

Partnering with the Sussex Music Hub, this season we’re offering exciting musical opportunities for young people in Eastbourne and beyond. From unique experiences on our concert days to engaging, free LPO Overture days during school holidays, young musicians have the chance to connect with LPO players, refine their skills, and perform for their families and friends. We’re also excited to collaborate with AudioActive in Eastbourne, an organisation that offers a safe space for young people to hone their music production, rap and lyrics skills.

We are looking forward to bringing our popular BrightSparks schools concert to the Congress Theatre once again this season, offering children aged 7–11 the unforgettable experience of hearing a full orchestra live and up close. With free resources and training for teachers and creative projects in local primary schools, we’re dedicated to nurturing a love for music from an early age.

As well as working with children and young people, we’re continuing to build connections with local organisations, bringing music into the heart of communities. Look out for our musicians at Langney Shopping Centre during the festive season, as we bring some festive cheer! We are also proud to support the Eastbourne Talking Newspaper & Trust, offering performances and providing musical snippets to enrich the listening experience for visually impaired audiences. Additionally, we are working with the Shinewater Disabled Trust, offering special performances for their members.

We’re keen to do more in and around Eastbourne, so if you know of a community organisation that could benefit from working with us – or if you’d like to get involved –let’s explore possibilities together. Contact Claudia Clarkson, our Regional Partnerships Manager, at claudia.clarkson@lpo.org.uk

The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s activities with South Coast communities are generously supported by Garfield Weston Foundation, TIOC Foundation, local supporters and donors to the LPO’s Arts for Impact Big Give campaign.

We are proud of our history and connection with local South Coast communities and are striving to bring joy and inspiration to even more people.

Make a donation and help us share unforgettable musical experiences more widely.

From captivating concerts at the Congress Theatre to transformative music projects across the South Coast, your support will make a lasting social impact in this area.

To support 020 7840 4212 development@lpo.org.uk lpo.org.uk/support

CDs now available for purchase directly through the LPO website.

Music available to download and stream on all major platforms. lpo.org.uk/recordings

Rachmaninov The Bells/ Symphonic Dances Edward Gardner conductor

Join YolanDa Brown and LPO players in Pitch me Classical, the podcast that tackles classical music’s most-asked questions. Find us on your favourite podcast app.

Classical Pitch me

How to book

Congress Theatre Venue

Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4BP

Congress Theatre Ticket Office & Correspondence

01323 412000

Monday to Saturday 9am–5pm Sunday 10am–4pm

Welcome Building, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4BW

Book online eastbournetheatres.co.uk

Tickets £16–£31

Premium seats £36

Students £7 (excludes premium seats)

Under 16s £5 (excludes premium seats)

Inclusive of £2 per ticket booking fee

Book more, pay less: series discounts

– 10% discount for 3 concerts

– 15% discount for 4 concerts

– 20% discount for 5 concerts

– 25% discount for 6 concerts

Group discounts: Bring friends – save money!

– Groups of 10 or more will receive a 20% discount on ticket prices

– Groups of 20 or more will receive a 20% discount as well as an extra complimentary ticket for the group organiser.

Please call or visit Congress Theatre Ticket Office for details. Please note that offers cannot be combined.

How to pay

Tickets can be paid for by cash or credit/debit card. There is a £2 booking fee for each ticket purchased. This is included in the advertised ticket prices. There is a £2 charge for postage. Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.

Access

We want everybody to enjoy their visit and offer a range of facilities for patrons with disabilities and their companions, and also to those who may need support in attending our events. Please ensure you notify us of any special requirements when booking, so we can ensure you are offered the most appropriate seats.

Wheelchair users

The Congress Theatre has several specially designed seat positions as well as wheelchairaccessible toilets. A companion may be admitted free of charge, via the essential companion scheme. Please ask the Ticket Office for further details.

Hearing impaired customers

There is an infra-red assisted hearing system and induction loop system at Congress Theatre. Headphones and neck loops can be requested from the Duty Manager prior to the performance. They can also check that your hearing aid is compatible with this system.

Visually impaired customers

Guide dogs are welcome. Printed materials are available in large print on request from the London Philharmonic Orchestra Marketing Department on 020 7840 4200.

Public transport

Eastbourne Station is a 10–15 minute walk away, with fast, regular services to Eastbourne from Hastings, Lewes, Brighton, Haywards Heath, London and elsewhere. To book tickets and for travel updates visit southernrailway.com or call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950

There is a frequent bus service from all areas of the city. Visit stagecoachbus.co.uk or call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 for details.

Parking

Disabled parking is available on the roads around the Congress Theatre and directly in front of the Devonshire Park Theatre. Patrons may also be dropped off and collected from this point. Disabled parking spaces and Pay and display parking is available in College Road Car Park.

How to find us

The venue is situated close to Eastbourne seafront and a short distance from the town centre. We are just 45 minutes from Brighton, 30 minutes from Hastings and Bexhill and 60 minutes from Tunbridge Wells.