
Trees: Live In Concert
LSO
- Great for groups
- Under 90 mins
- First-timer friendly
- Early finish
- Date
- Mon, 14 Dec 2026
- Time
- 19:30 · 1h 30m
- Venue
- Barbican
- City
- London
- Tickets
- from £25
You'll be taken to the ensemble's official site.
Summary
The London Symphony Orchestra performs the collaborative work Trees by Sam Green and Caroline Shaw at the Barbican.
Why it's fantastic
This cinematic journey offers a meditative look at the natural world through a blend of live performance and film. It is an ideal entry point for anyone who enjoys contemporary documentaries, featuring a collaborative new score by Pulitzer winner Caroline Shaw that provides a soothing, ninety-minute escape from the urban rush.
Our guide to this performance
What you'll hear
The evening is built around a single collaborative work by Sam Green and Caroline Shaw, titled Trees. You will experience a blend of live orchestral music paired with cinematic visuals that explore the life and presence of trees. The score avoids traditional symphonic structures, opting instead for a meditative atmosphere that reflects the natural world. As the music unfolds over ninety minutes, listen for the way Shaw uses the string and wind sections of the orchestra to create textures that mimic organic growth and stillness. The performance is designed as a continuous journey rather than a series of disconnected movements, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm. The integration of film means the visual element is as central to the experience as the sound, creating a performance that feels more like a live documentary than a standard concert. We suggest focusing on how the live ensemble synchronises with the pacing of the imagery to create a sense of scale and quiet reflection.
Who's performing
The London Symphony Orchestra, or LSO, is the resident ensemble at the Barbican. They are internationally recognised for their technical precision and their long history of performing both cornerstone classical repertoire and modern collaborative projects. While they are often associated with large-scale symphonies, they are equally adept at navigating the nuance of contemporary scores and multi-media works. Based in the heart of London, the ensemble brings its characteristic clarity and depth to this performance, providing a live realization of the score that supports the overarching cinematic narrative.
Planning your evening
This performance takes place at the Barbican in London and has a running time of approximately ninety minutes. Given the length and the focus on visual storytelling, it is a suitable choice if you are new to orchestral music or prefer a shorter, more continuous evening without an interval. There is no specific dress code required, so you should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. The ticket prices start at twenty-five pounds. This concert is an ideal way to spend an evening if you are looking for a calm, focused experience in an urban setting.
Written by the Bravura editorial team from the ensemble's published programme and venue information. We don't reproduce copy from box-office sites. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Programme
- 01Sam Green and Caroline Shaw: Trees: Live in Concert

