Nonclassical at 20: London Symphony Orchestra

Sound artist and musician Beatrice Dillon presents her first commission for orchestra. Following on from her 2020 album Workaround (‘Album of the Year’ The Wire Magazine), Dillon translates her distinct vocabulary of synthetic sound and generative systems into the acoustic realm of the orchestra.

The concert features tracks from some of the leading artists of today, all of whom celebrate musical crossovers: Mica Levi’s classic Love from Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin envelops listeners in a bear hug of synths and sustained notes. Sasha Scott’s Humans May Not Apply fuses intense, exhilarating electronics with the orchestra. Tonia Ko’s Breath, Contained III (Excerpt) features bubble wrap as an instrument, whilst Tansy Davies’ Neon brings twisty modernist funk.

The first ever Concerto for Drum Machine and Orchestra celebrates the Roland 808 drum machine – heard on tracks by artists including Run-DMC, LL Cool J, Afrika Bambaataa and the Talking Heads.

The electronic polymath, DJ and producer, Matthew Herbert brings his ever-creative and eclectic soundworld to the night, spinning special contemporary classical-inspired sets between the orchestral performances.

The allocation is for standing tickets, but there will be a small provision for seated tickets if required.