Classic FM Recommends in 2025/26

Recommended concerts from our 2025/26 season across the UK, hand-picked by Classic FM.

Close up of the Philharmonia cello section in concert at Royal Festival Hall

The Philharmonia is proud to be a partner orchestra of Classic FM.

We asked the Classic FM team to pick their top concerts throughout our 2025/26 seasons in London and beyond. Which concerts will you be joining us for?

“I am especially excited to see the Santtu-Víkingur Ólafsson concert, which promises to be a very special evening, with new work and some old favourites in the hands of two of the biggest stars of the classical world. Seeing Santtu conduct is like witnessing someone weave magic – the sound and atmosphere he conjures with the orchestra is all consuming. Add the brilliance of Víkingur Ólafsson into the mix, I can’t wait” (Joanna Gosling, Classic FM host) 

“I’m so eager to hear this combination. Not just the Philharmonia and Bruce Liu, but that first half of Britten and Ravel. It’s Ravel showing off all his jazz credentials, having met Gershwin and Duke Ellington in America in 1928. Britten, too, just 17 years later, showing a completely different side in the Interludes. Add in Tchaikovsky and this is going to be a swirling sound-fest. I can’t wait.” (Tim Lihoreau, host of Classic FM weekend breakfast) 

Vikingur Olafsson looking to the side
Concert

Basingstoke: Santtu and Víkingur Ólafsson

Santtu-Matias Rouvali – conductor
Víkingur Ólafsson – piano 

  • Sibelius Finlandia
  • Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3
  • Stravinsky The Firebird Suite (1945)
The Anvil, Basingstoke

Vikingur Ólafsson
Concert

Santtu and Víkingur Ólafsson

Santtu-Matias Rouvali – conductor 
Víkingur Ólafsson – piano 

  • Ortiz Si el oxígeno fuera verde (UK premiere, Philharmonia commission)
  • Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3
  • Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3, 'Organ'
Royal Festival Hall

General booking opens 10am Tuesday 29 April. Join the Friends to book today.

Marin Alsop conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra
Concert

Marin Alsop conducts Star Wars and The Planets

Marin Alsop – conductor 
Sean Shibe – guitar 

  • Williams Star Wars Suite
  • Rodrigo Guitar Concerto, 'Concierto de Aranjuez'
  • Holst The Planets
Royal Festival Hall

General booking opens 10am Tuesday 29 April. Join the Friends to book today.

Marin Alsop conducting
Concert

Canterbury: Marin Alsop conducts Scheherazade

Marin Alsop – conductor
Alisa Weilerstein – cello

  • Márquez Danzón No. 2
  • Ortiz Cello Concerto, ‘Dzonot’ (UK premiere)
  • Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
The Marlowe, Canterbury

Alisa Weilerstein
Concert

Marin Alsop and Alisa Weilerstein

Marin Alsop – conductor
Alisa Weilerstein – cello

  • Márquez Danzón No. 2
  • Ortiz Cello Concerto, 'Dzonot' (London premiere)
  • Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
Royal Festival Hall

General booking opens 10am Tuesday 29 April. Join the Friends to book today.

Denis Kozukhin standing next to a piano
Concert

Denis Kozhukhin plays Beethoven

Ruth Reinhardt – conductor
Denis Kozhukhin – piano

  • Ortiz Tzam (UK premiere)
  • Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5, 'Emperor'
  • Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3, 'Scottish'
Royal Festival Hall

General booking opens 10am Tuesday 29 April. Join the Friends to book today.

Bruce Liu sat at a piano
Concert

Bedford: Bruce Liu plays Ravel

Ryan Bancroft – conductor
Bruce Liu – piano

  • Britten Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
  • Ravel Piano Concerto in G
  • Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
Bedford Corn Exchange

General booking opens 10am Tuesday 29 April. Join the Friends to book today.

Bruce Liu leaning against a piano, in red lighting
Concert

Leicester: Bruce Liu plays Ravel

Ryan Bancroft – conductor
Bruce Liu – piano

  • Britten Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
  • Ravel Piano Concerto in G
  • Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
De Montfort Hall

Bruce Liu
Concert

Bruce Liu plays Ravel

Ryan Bancroft – conductor
Bruce Liu – piano

  • Britten Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
  • Ravel Piano Concerto in G
  • Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
Royal Festival Hall

General booking opens 10am Tuesday 29 April. Join the Friends to book today.