Four concerts. Three days. Welcome to our first Summer in the Square festival.
Summer in the Square is a three-day long festival encompassing some incredible classical music performances from our fellowship musicians and special guests that will take you across the varied landscapes of Europe, from Ravel’s unique French approach, to the classic and timeless stylings of Mozart and Beethoven.
In “normal times”, Southbank Sinfonia travels to Anghiari every July for a week-long festival in the glorious Italian sunshine. We may not be able to travel to our home away from home this year, but we still want to bring a slice of Italian sun to central London this July.
Connecting people through music is our goal, so we invite you to join us at St John’s Smith Square for this very special festival.
SUMMER IN THE SQUARE: STRINGS CELEBRATION
Our fabulous strings unite for an afternoon concert of string favourites!
Composed in 1880, Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings was undoubtedly inspired by the music of Mozart, whom Tchaikovsky admired greatly. The iconic opening sequence lays at the heart of the piece, with it rearing its head again when you least expect it. Along with other string serenades of this time, Tchaikovsky's remains the world's favourite.
Moving between the moods of Buenos Aires whilst paying homage to Vivaldi, Astor Piazzolla's Four Seasons are a fresh and vibrant take on the seasonal theme. Our fellowship will be performing Spring from this suite.
Closing this lunchtime concert is the slow second movement from Haydn's 'Emperor' string quartet. The nickname for this quartet derives from the second movement's set of variations based on 'Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser' ('God save Emperor Francis'). Ambitious in style and laden with rich harmony, this is the ideal way to conclude this string-centric concert.
ATTEND IN PERSON (ticketed)
Summer in the Square Festival: Concert Dates and Times
Friday 23rd July | 7pm | £15
Saturday 24th July | 1pm | £10
Saturday 24th July | 7pm | £15
Sunday 25th July | 3pm |£15
Festival Pass | £40 - Join us at all four concerts and receive a discount on your tickets!
HOW TO BOOK
Tickets are ONLY available online and must be booked in advance. Booking closes two hours before the performances start time. Unfortunately, we will not be able to admit anyone who hasn't booked in advance.
If you are unable to book online or have any issues booking, please call the St John's Smith Square Box Office helpline on: 020 7222 1061 (please note that this line is only operated on Mondays and Thursdays between 2pm-5pm).
WATCH OUR LIVESTREAM
We may not be able to be in Anghiari in person this year, but we can be virtually! We will be livestreaming all concerts in our Summer in the Square Festival for our Friends over in Anghiari, and you can tune in too! These concerts will be available as an online livestream on this event page on the day of the performance. Booking is not required to watch this concert as a free livestream, but you can donate to our work supporting talented young musicians here.
This concert is currently being sold as a socially distanced concert. However, all being well, after the government announcement on Monday 12th July, we hope to be given the green light to return to full capacity. If this happens, we will make more tickets available and look forward to the possibility of welcoming a full audience! Please keep an eye out for further details.