London Philharmonic Choir: Festival Generations

The London Philharmonic Choir marks the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain in an engaging, varied programme featuring works by major musical figures of the day.

Choral masterpieces, sacred and secular, by Vaughan Williams, Finzi, Britten, Imogen Holst and Dyson are interspersed with character pieces for piano by Ireland and Walton, performed by Jonny Beatty and Iain Farrington. There will also be a short performance by trumpeter Lucas Houldcroft, an LPO Future First artist last season.

The beautiful surroundings of St John’s Waterloo - which hosted choral services as part of the 1951 Festival - provide an ideal setting for this sumptuous feast of some of the finest British music of the inter-war and post-WWII period.

This concert offers a rare opportunity to hear singers from the London Philharmonic Choir a-cappella, showcasing the richness and versatility of the choir's sound beyond its more familiar orchestral performances.

The concert also reflects the London Philharmonic Choir's growing relationship with St John's Waterloo and its local community, just a short walk from the South Bank, where both organisations continue a long tradition of bringing music and people together. This year also marks 75 years since the foundation of the SouthBank Centre that emerged from the Festival of Britain.

Some of the choral highlights include:

• George Dyson – In Honour of the City
• Gerald Finzi – I praise the tender flower; Nightingales; My spirit sang all day (from Seven Poems of Robert Bridges)
• Ralph Vaughan Williams – Valiant-for-Truth; Lord, Thou hast been our refuge
• Benjamin Britten – Time; Concord (from Choral Dances from Gloriana) and
• Imogen Holst – A Hymne to Christ
  

Date: Saturday 11th July
Time: 7:00pm - 9:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
Venue: St John's Waterloo, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8TY

This event is held as part of the Waterloo Festival 2026. Explore the full festival programme via: www.stjohnswaterloo.org/wf2026

Cover photo credits: Louise Kragh (LPC group shot)