Santtu & Sol Gabetta
The Philharmonia Orchestra plays three of the greatest hits of the orchestral repertoire, culminating in Dvořák’s hauntingly beautiful New World Symphony.
Gabetta, known for the characterful energy of her playing as much as for her formidable technique, is the Philharmonia’s Featured Artist for the 2026/27 season.
For her first concert she has chosen Elgar’s Cello Concerto, a moving response to the devastation of the First World War.
A critic at the work’s premiere summed it up: ‘lovely stuff, very simple … but with a profound wisdom and beauty underlying its simplicity.’ Initially out of fashion, it soared into the bestseller lists when cellist Jacqueline du Pré recorded it in the 1960s, and has never left.
In Dvořák’s New World Symphony, his trademark Czech style is tinged with the spirit of the African American spirituals and Native American music he got to know while he was working in New York in the 1890s. The symphony packs drama, excitement and hope into one unforgettable work. From the gentle, hymn-like melody of the Largo to the blazing finale, it’s easy to see why this piece is a perennial favourite.
Rouvali kicks off this evening’s programme with Brahms’ high-spirited Academic Festival Overture – student drinking songs never sounded so good.
Performers
Philharmonia Orchestra
Santtu-Matias Rouvali conductor
Sol Gabetta cello
Repertoire
Brahms: Academic Festival Overture
Elgar: Cello Concerto
Interval
Dvořák: Symphony No.9 (From the New World)
Need to know
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
24 Sep 2026, 7.30pm
Run time
1 hour and 55 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £17 + £4 booking fee
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
Concessions
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Refunds and exchanges
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Multi-buy Autumn/Winter 26/27 discount
3 – 4 events: 10% discount
5 – 7 events: 15% discount
8 – 10 events: 20% discount
11 – 14 events: 25% discount
15+ events: 30% discount
Discounts apply to selected events, September 2026 – January 2027 inclusive. Offer can’t be combined with the Spring/Summer 2026 multi-buy.
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For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.