Classical Pride: London Symphony Orchestra & Oliver Zeffman

Now in its fourth year, Classical Pride is a celebration of the huge contribution of LGBTQ+ composers and performers to classical music.

The concert opens with the jubilant Agnegram by Michael Tilson Thomas – the LSO’s former Principal Conductor, followed by the UK premiere of the melodic Cello Concerto No. 2 by Dutch composer Henriëtte Bosmans – a pioneering voice who survived the Nazis while composing in secret – with celebrated soloist Laura van der Heijden.

Barber’s Adagio for Strings, heard in iconic cinematic moments such as Platoon and adopted as a global anthem of mourning opens the second half, followed by his nostalgic Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with the powerhouse tenor Freddie Ballentine. Boléro by Ravel concludes, in which an infectious melody is repeated against the beat of a snare drum, finally reaching an orgiastic climax.