BMW LSO Open Air Classics 2017 with Valery Gergiev and Rachmaninov programme

London. As part of the BMW LSO Open Air Classics, one
of today’s rising stars of the piano, Behzod Abduraimnov, will make
his London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) debut performing to a crowd of
thousands at the free, outdoor concert in London’s Trafalgar Square,
on Sunday, May 21. He will perform Rachmaninov’s virtuosic “Rhapsody
on a Theme of Paganini, part of an all-Rachmaninov programme
conducted by Valery Gergiev, which also features the composer’s Second Symphony.

 

This concert is the result of a partnership between the LSO and BMW,
who share the belief that great music is for everyone, whatever their
background or situation. Now highly-anticipated in London’s musical
calendar, BMW LSO Open Air Classics each year offers, Londoners and
visitors to the city alike, the opportunity to experience the LSO free
and in the open air in Trafalgar Square. Large screens and
state-of-the-art sound technology allow the whole crowd to witness the
concert close-up, making the experience equally special at the back of
the square as at the front. In 2016, 69% of the audience in the Square
were under the age of 35 and 86% had never seen the LSO perform before.

 

Dr Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said,
“In the sixth year of our partnership with the London Symphony
Orchestra we are looking forward to welcoming around 10,000 listeners
from all over the world, whether they are new to classical music or
seasoned enthusiasts. For almost 50 years now, the BMW Group’s
cultural engagement programme has focused on making the arts more
accessible to everyone. We are honoured to be a patron of
collaborations with some of the world’s leading cultural institutions
and we’re extremely proud of this concert series with the London
Symphony Orchestra.”

 

The concert will also feature 40 young musicians aged between 11 and
18 years, from schools in east London, who will join the LSO on stage
for a special performance of Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances.
Playing as part of the Orchestra, the young people will sit
amongst the members of the LSO and musicians from the Guildhall School
of Music Drama, all performing together.

 

This thrilling experience for the young musicians, who are from a
broad range of backgrounds in the diverse East London community, is
part of LSO On Track, a pioneering programme which, in partnership
with local Music Education Hubs, builds on existing musical provision
by giving special access to LSO musicians. Through school visits,
ensemble learning, mentoring and opportunities to perform with the LSO
on stage, young people are challenged and inspired, giving them
valuable insight into the life of a professional musician and
nurturing their talent. LSO On Track also provides mentoring for
primary school teachers, who may have had little or no musical
training, in order to build the knowledge and confidence they need to
use music creatively in classrooms. LSO On Track was launched in 2008
and has seen young people perform side-by-side with the LSO in
Trafalgar Square, at the Barbican and notably as part of the Opening
Ceremony for the London Olympics in 2012.

 

Kathryn McDowell, the LSO’s Managing Director, said, “I’m delighted
that this wonderful, free event, for all Londoners, presented in
partnership with BMW, will again bring the LSO’s music into the heart
of London. We have a piano soloist for the first time in the Square,
the dazzling young Behzod Abduraimov who will perform Rachmaninov’s
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, making his LSO debut in this dramatic
setting. A real highlight will be the performance by the young LSO On
Track musicians, demonstrating the remarkable work our players do in
music education throughout the year, and providing a hugely rewarding
and exciting musical experience for the young people. All of this is
enabled by the continued support of BMW who have been our partner in
this project since it began, and sincere thanks to Ian Robertson and
the BMW teams in the UK and Germany who work closely with us to bring
this event about. I’d also like to thank the Mayor of London, Sadiq
Khan, for his continued support.” 

 

Sadiq Kahn, the Mayor of London, said, “There are few places on earth
that can rival our city for its arts, culture and music, and tourists
flock here in their millions every year to get a taste of our cultural
riches. I’m delighted to see the LSO bringing another incredible
concert to Trafalgar Square. As well as giving rising young stars from
a variety of backgrounds the opportunity to play alongside world-class
musicians, this top showcase of talent will entertain thousands of
Londoners who may have never had the chance to experience this calibre
of classical music before. It is these types of events that show
London at its outward-looking, open and creative best.”

 

Pianist Behzod Abduraimov, said, “To make my debut with the London
Symphony Orchestra in the iconic Trafalgar Square will be a wonderful
experience and I am very much looking forward to performing with the
LSO and again with Maestro Gergiev. I hope the audience will be drawn
into the romanticism of Rachmaninov’s ‘Rhapsody on a Theme by
Paganini’ and taken on a musical journey through the array of colours
and emotions depicted by the ‘24 Variations’.”

 

The performance begins at 6.30pm on Sunday 21 May 2017. The concert
is free, does not require a ticket and is open to everybody. However,
for the safety and comfort of the audience, only a certain number of
people can access the square during the performance and, once capacity
is reached, entry will be suspended. Early arrival is therefore
strongly advised to secure a place.

 

About BMW Group’s Cultural Commitment

 

For almost 50 years now, the BMW Group has initiated and engaged in
over 100 cultural cooperations worldwide. The company places the main
focus of its long-term commitment on contemporary and modern art,
classical music and jazz as well as architecture and design. In 1972,
three large-scale paintings were created by the artist Gerhard Richter
specifically for the foyer of the BMW Group’s Munich headquarters.
Since then, artists such as Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Daniel Barenboim,
Jonas Kaufmann and architect Zaha Hadid have co-operated with BMW.
Currently, female artist Cao Fei from China and American John
Baldessari are creating the next two vehicles for the BMW Art Car
Collection. Besides co-initiatives, such as BMW Tate Live, the BMW Art
Journey and the “Opera for All” concerts in Berlin, Munich and London,
the company also partners with leading museums and art fairs as well
as orchestras and opera houses around the world. The BMW Group takes
absolute creative freedom in all its cultural activities – as this
initiative is as essential for producing groundbreaking artistic work
as it is for major innovations in a successful business.

Further information:
www.bmwgroup.com/culture

and
www.bmwgroup.com/culture/overview

 

 

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#BMWGroupCulture

 

For further questions please contact:

 

Dr Thomas Girst

BMW Group Corporate and Intergovernmental Affairs

Head of Cultural Engagement

Telephone: +49-89-382-24753

 

Leonie Laskowski

BMW Group Corporate and Intergovernmental Affairs

Cultural Engagement

Telephone: +49-89-382-45382

 

www.press.bmwgroup.com

Email:
presse@bmw.de

 

The BMW Group

 

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the
world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles
and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global
company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities
in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

 

In 2016, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.367 million cars and
145,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax was approximately
€ 9.67 billion on revenues amounting to € 94.16 billion. As of 31
December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.

 

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

 


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