London Symphony Orchestra Renews Partnership with BMW Group

The German company will fund the LSO's free, open-air concert BMW Classics for three more years

BMW Group has renewed its partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) for a further three years. This partnership funds BMW Classics, a free open-air concert that takes place every summer in London's iconic Trafalgar Square.

The initiative is hugely valuable as it makes an LSO performance accessible to a wide range of people. At the last BMW Classics concert, 10,000 people attended live over the course of the day, with a further 10,500 watching the YouTube livestream of the event.

Since it began, the partnership with BMW has brought live music to more than 100,000 people — as well as providing funding for 450 young London musicians to perform alongside the LSO. The partnership also funds the LSO's work in East London schools, creating a further opportunity to take the orchestra out of the concert hall and into the community.

The next BMW Classics concert will be conducted by Antonio Pappano, who officially becomes the LSO's Chief Conductor in September 2025.

"We are hugely grateful to BMW for renewing this partnership for a further three years," said Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director of the LSO. "BMW Classics is the highlight of our year and has become an essential part of London’s summer music calendar, with thousands enjoying great music live in Trafalgar Square and on YouTube. Thanks to the Mayor of London for allowing us to use the iconic venue year after year."

"The BMW Group is deeply connected to the UK," said Walter Mertl, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG. "After all, it is home to our great and truly British brands MINI and Rolls-Royce. Therefore, I am delighted that the BMW Group is continuing the long-standing partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra for another three years."

"The BMW Group has been supporting hundreds of cultural initiatives for more than 50 years," he added. "We firmly believe in the power of music and the arts to bring people together and to experience joy. We are looking forward to continuing the BMW Classics partnership with exciting, new ideas and Sir Antonio Pappano on the conductor’s podium. We welcome him and look forward to next year’s concert in Trafalgar Square."