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    Event

    London Symphony Orchestra live on Trafalgar Square

    Around 10,000 classical music lovers took to Trafalgar Square on 27 May 2013 to celebrate the Bank Holiday in style - listening to a live concert of Berlioz from the London Symphony Orchestra and Valery Gergiev.

    1. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      1. Awaiting the LSO concert

      The concert starts at 6.30pm, but the audience arrive early to ensure they get a seat. Picture: @LondonSymphony

    2. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      2. The crowds arrive

      Around 10,000 people sitting on and around Trafalgar Square, with the enclosure itself full to bursting. Picture: Andy Squire

    3. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      3. Valery Gergiev

      Fresh from a concert in Russia, the LSO prove classical music is for everyone by springing a concert on the centre of London, with maestro Valery Gergiev at the helm. Picture: Andy Squire

    4. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      4. LSO Open Air

      Featuring players from the London Symphony Orchestra as well as young musicians from the Guildhall School and LSO On Track take to the stage on Trafalgar Square. Picture: Andy Squire

    5. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      5. Sunshine and Berlioz

      A rare sight in London - the sun's out, and the LSO are playing Berlioz on Trafalgar Square! Picture: Andy Squire

    6. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      6. LSO Open Air

      Featuring players from the London Symphony Orchestra as well as young musicians from the Guildhall School and LSO On Track take to the stage on Trafalgar Square. Picture: Andy Squire

    7. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      7. London Symphony Orchestra Performers

      Performing music by Berlioz including the Overture to Le corsaire and the Symphonie fantastique. Picture: Andy Squire

    8. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      8. The view from the stage

      A beautiful view of the church of St Martin in the Fields, as the LSO play live. Picture: Andy Squire

    9. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      9. LSO Open Air

      Sitting down and enjoying the music. Picture: @LondonSymphony

    10. LSO badges

      10. LSO badges

      Volunteers hand out badges to add to the festival atmosphere on Trafalgar Square. Picture: @LondonSymphony

    11. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      11. Berlioz

      Presenter Rachel Leach explained Berlioz's ideas, including the 'idée fixe' in the Symphonie Fantastique, a clarinet theme representing the composer's intense love. Picture: Andy Squire

    12. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      12. Covered up in case of rain

      Come rain or shine, the LSO musicians are well-equipped for the British weather. Picture: Andy Squire

    13. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      13. LSO and Nelson's Column

      It's still unmistakably the centre of London - Nelson's Column proudly marks the spot. Picture: Andy Squire

    14. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      14. Helpful screens

      The concert programme is displayed on big screens on the sides of the square, with helpful notes about the music for classical music first-timers. Picture: Andy Squire

    15. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      15. An impressively large orchestra

      Double basses and harps feature in the orchestral line-up today. Picture: Andy Squire

    16. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      16. St Martin in the Fields

      The church of St Martin in the Fields lights up in the sun. Picture: @LondonSymphony

    17. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      17. The view from the stage

      Principal Percussionist Neil Percy shoots a quick snap of the impressive audience. Picture: @NeilPercyLSO

    18. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      18. Big Ben and the LSO

      Big Ben, otherwise known as the Elizabeth Tower, can be seen through the LSO's impressive rain-proof stage. Picture: Andy Squire

    19. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      19. Sights and sounds of London

      Even despite the noise of the surrounding city, the music still draws an impressive crowd, and can be heard throughout the square thanks to a large speaker system. Picture: Andy Squire

    20. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      20. The LSO and Rachel Leach

      Rachel Leach explains the story behind Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. Picture: Andy Squire

    21. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      21. LSO Open Air

      Featuring players from the London Symphony Orchestra as well as young musicians from the Guildhall School and LSO On Track take to the stage on Trafalgar Square. Picture: Andy Squire

    22. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      22. LSO on stage

      The sun streams through the LSO's temporary stage.

    23. London Symphony Orchestra on Trafalgar Square

      23. Thanks for coming!

      And it's all over, until next year, that is! Picture: @LondonSymphony

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