Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station, will be back at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 22nd September to celebrate the very best classical music with its renowned, world-class concert, Classic FM Live.

Returning to the stage for the first time in two years, Classic FM Live promises to be a night of sensational performances from some of the world’s biggest and most exciting classical music stars, including:

Legendary violinist Nigel Kennedy, performing a medley of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, as well as his own composition Melody in the Wind

Star pianist Khatia Buniatishvili, playing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2

Chineke! Orchestra, Europe’s first majority-Black and ethnically diverse orchestra, making their Classic FM Live debut and whose performances will include Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Ballade in A minor and Tchaikovsky’s spectacular 1812 Overture complete with lights and fireworks.

Sponsored by Viking, the award-winning river, ocean and expeditions cruise line, the concert will be hosted by Classic FM’s Alexander Armstrong, who presents the station’s weekday flagship morning show, and Margherita Taylor, presenter of the weeknight Smooth Classics.

For more than two decades, Classic FM has been staging classical music concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. September’s concert will be recorded for broadcast on Classic FM on Thursday 23rd September at 8pm.

“Over the past 20 years, we have brought some of the world’s greatest musicians to the iconic Royal Albert Hall – the home of Classic FM Live – as well as showcasing new and emerging classical music stars for our audience to enjoy.

It feels great to be going back to the Hall, for the first time in two years, with a stunning line-up including Nigel Kennedy and Chineke! Orchestra.

Whether or not those attending have been to a classical music concert before, they will have the warmest of welcomes because our spectacular concert promises to be a very special classical music celebration.” - PHILIP NOYCE, MANAGING EDITOR OF CLASSIC FM

Wendy Atkin-Smith, managing director of Viking UK said: “Classic FM, one of our cultural partners, is a favourite of Viking’s Chairman, Torstein Hagen, as well as many of our guests and the station is streamed on board our ships all around the world. With our focus on offering culturally enriching experiences both at home and overseas, we are proud to have been the presenting sponsor of the annual Classic FM Live concert at the Royal Albert Hall since 2016. Classic FM’s composer in residence, Debbie Wiseman OBE, is also part of the Viking family as godmother to the river ship Viking Herja and as the creator of Viking’s signature score, The Traveller. One of the main things we have all missed over the past 17 months is being able to enjoy live music so we are pleased to play a part in bringing this much anticipated concert to life, especially given the stellar line-up of performers.”

For tickets: Visit ClassicFM.com or call the Royal Albert Hall box office on 020 7589 8212.