London music guide – quick links
There is so much going on in the London music scene this month. October brings several wonderful music festivals in and around London, celebrating everything from classical masterpieces to contemporary Korean musicians and composers.
Two Moors Festival (1-12 October)
The Two Moors Festival is really very special. Since 2001, it has evolved into one of the most distinctive classical music festivals in the UK, welcoming over 6,000 people to its eclectic events in charming venues across Exmoor and Dartmoor – yes, the two moors.
It’s a superb celebration of extraordinary music held in remarkable places. The festival also nurtures new talent with its Young Musicians’ Competition and assists performers through its residency programs.
Two Moors is well worth the trip to this beautiful part of the country to see inspirational recitals, concerts, operas, newly commissioned works, talks, exhibitions, workshops, master-classes, and special events.
This year marks the festival’s 25th anniversary. Internationally acclaimed violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen is the festival’s Artistic Director and she opens the program with a Bach recital with cellist Guy Johnston.
K-Music Festival (1 October – 20 November)
Be part of the worldwide K-Wave with this year’s K-Music Festival. There’s more to Korean music than just the K-Pop tunes we know and love, and the K-Music Festival celebrates the full richness and innovation of Korean music.
Taking place at venues across London, this year’s program includes a genre-defying collaboration between Okkyung Lee and Mark Fell, a sweeping orchestral reimagining of JAMBINAI with the London Contemporary Orchestra and a lyrical meeting of Korean string trio Hilgeum with British vocalist Alice Zawadzki.
Other highlights of the London music festival include the acclaimed composer and multi-instrumentalist Park Jiha, who crafts ambient soundscapes rooted in ancient traditions, and the festival’s closing event. In this major world premiere, Seong-Jin Cho performs a new concerto by Dong-hoon Shin with the London Symphony Orchestra.
London Piano Festival (9–12 October)
The London Piano Festival returns to the world-class concert halls at Kings Place for its 10th anniversary with a rich and diverse program around the theme of maturity and youth.
Artistic Directors Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen bring together an esteemed group of pianists to present solo recitals, jazz performances, family events and the very popular Two-Piano Gala.
The London music festival bridges past and future, with classical masterpieces, contemporary compositions, world premieres, and engaging discussions, all to celebrate pianist artistry, innovation and musical storytelling.
Owen and Apekisheva open this year’s festival with Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons and Schumann’s Carnaval.
Bloomsbury Festival (17–19 October)
The popular Bloomsbury Festival returns for its 20th year with a busy weekend of theatre, music, literature, art, science, walks, talks and family events.
The festival fills the streets of Bloomsbury and Camden in a joyful and thoughtful celebration of community and culture. This year’s theme is The Paths We Tread. Inspired by the heritage and stories of the local streets, the theme also sees artists exploring their personal, cultural and creative paths.
This year’s Bloomsbury Festival opens with the free Songs and Ballads Showcase. Led by singers from Bloomsbury and beyond, it celebrates songs that highlight the history of Bloomsbury and St Giles as well as the cultures and communities of today. There’s also a free outdoor sculpture exhibition with work by Michael Craig-Martin.
Famous faces on stage
There’s always an opportunity to see a famous face from film and television live on stage in London. This month see Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon in her London stage debut alongside Academy Award nominee Andrea Riseborough in Mary Page Marlowe at the Old Vic; Brendan Gleeson is magnificent in The Weir at the Harold Pinter Theatre; Nicola Walker stars in The Unbelievers at Jerwood Theatre; Oscar winner Alicia Vikander has her stage debut in The Lady from the Sea opposite Andrew Lincoln at Bridge Theatre; and Minnie Driver takes to the Soho Place stage for Every Brilliant Thing.
