Unlike the eponymous charioteer’s skills, Saint-Saëns technical skills were at their peak in his tone poem Phaeton: its galloping steeds racing to a catastrophic demise before a final lament for youthful hubris.
Poulenc’s Concerto for Organ consists of seven sections in a form of a fantasia. Whilst it is generally serious in character, it still contains fleeting moments of the irreverent rogue of his youth and his gift for lyricism.
A lyrical sensibility defines Lili Boulanger’s bright and festive picture of a carefree spring morning with its arabesque-like playfulness and delicate, highly transparent instrumentation.
Saint-Saëns said that he had “given everything I was able to give” to his Third Symphony and it is true that with its virtuosic piano passages, brilliant orchestral writing and the audacious use of organ, it reveals a genuine flair for sumptuous orchestral colour. It is suave, has an unforgettable melody and brilliant craftsmanship – it is the zenith of his symphonic output. There is simply nothing else quite like it.
Presented by Bristol Beacon
Chloé Van Soeterstède Conductor
Anna Lapwood Organ
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Programme
Saint-Saëns Phaeton
Poulenc Organ Concerto
Boulanger D’un matin de printemps
Saint-Saëns Symphony No.3 ‘Organ’
Pre-Concert Talk with Jonathan James
Lantern Hall, 18:00. Free with concert ticket.
Format: Reserved seating
Age: For all ages (Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult)
Performance Times
Pre-concert talk: 18:00
Doors: 18:30
Start Time: 19:00
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Orchestral Ticket Prices
There are five price bands for every concert in the 2025/26 orchestral season: Premium and Bands A – D
Within price bands A-C, there are two types of ticket: Standard and Open Concession.
Exceptions include:
- Anna Lapwood’s Organ Recital – Sun 11 Jan 2026
- Manchester Collective – Fri 5 Dec 2025 & Tue 3 Feb 2026
If you are under 26, there is a fixed ticket price available on a limited number of seats for every concert.
Ticket Offers
2025/26 Orchestral Season Multibuy offer
Take advantage of our 2025/26 Orchestral Season Multibuy offer and save up to 30% on tickets!
Buy 3 concerts save 10%
Buy 4-8 concerts save 20%
Buy 9-11 concerts save 25%
Buy 12+ concerts save 30%
Applies to Standard Price tickets only. To qualify for the discount, tickets for the corresponding number of concerts must be purchased in one transaction.
Group booking offer
Book 10+ tickets for any one concert in the season and save 10%
Book 20+ tickets and save 20%
Pre-concert Talk
with Jonathan James
Lantern Hall (30 mins)
Free with a concert ticket
Hosted by conductor, music educator, writer and presenter Jonathan James, pre-concert talks are a great way to take a deep dive into the season’s concerts.
With his breadth of expertise and bags of enthusiasm, Jonathan introduces the works being performed, interviews members of the orchestras and demystifies the creative process.
Please check the event page for pre-concert talk start times.
The Britton Organ
The Britton Organ
Learn about the history of this remarkable concert hall instrument, discover the careful restoration, find out when you can experience the spellbinding sound live in concert.
One of the most important concert hall instruments in the UK…it’s quite incredible.”
Oliver Condy, BBC Music Magazine
About Beacon Hall
Our new flagship venue at Bristol Beacon
View Beacon Hall
View 14 images
View Beacon Hall
View 14 images
Seating plans
Seating plans
Beacon Hall has three levels that can be used in a seated or standing format. View seating plans, auditorium entrances and exits and accessible viewing areas.
Venue information
Venue information
Take a closer look at our beautifully restored venue, see what’s on and view detailed information about the performance space.
The venue
Beacon Hall
at Bristol Beacon
Getting to the venue
Location: Beacon Hall is located within Bristol Beacon. Head to Level 1 and follow signs to find the auditorium.
Address: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR
Bicycle
Bicycle racks can be found in front of the main entrance on Trenchard Street, Colston Street, and on the city centre promenade. Find your nearest cycle routes using Cycle Planner.
Car parking
Trenchard Street multi-storey car park is 200m away, directly behind Bristol Beacon.
Bristol Clean Air Zone
Bristol Beacon is inside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Check if your vehicle will be charged and how much you’ll have to pay.
Bus
Most bus services stop in and around the city centre promenade, 250m from Bristol Beacon.
Access
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users are in:
- row S in the centre of the rear Stalls (10 spaces)
- row Z in the left and right wings at the back of Lower Tier (4 spaces, 2 on each side),
- rows G/H on the left only at the back of Upper Tier (2 spaces)
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs and emotional support animals are allowed in the performance space. Seats in row F are most suitable. If you prefer, you can leave your animal with a member of staff during the performance.
Hearing Facility
A Sennheiser MobileConnect assistive listening system is installed in the venue. Download the free App and use your own mobile device and headphones to listen to the performance. (Devices are available on request.)
Eat & Drink
Eat & Drink
We’ve got plenty of places for you to relax and refill. From coffee and cake, to delicious sharing boards, to full menus.
More from 2025/26 Orchestral Season
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Award-winning orchestras on your doorstep
18 dazzling concerts from iconic orchestras including our partners London Symphony Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra; international ensembles from Poland, Spain and the Czech Republic; plus the Bristol Beacon debut of shape-shifting ensemble the Manchester Collective.
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
with Mark Wigglesworth and Sir Stephen Hough
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
with Vasily Petrenko
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
with Mark Wigglesworth and Jess Gillam
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
with Osmo Vänskä and Helena Juntunen
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Manchester Collective & The Marian Consort
Wintering
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
London Symphony Orchestra
with Sir Antonio Pappano and Antoine Tamestit
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Anna Lapwood: The Britton Organ Opening Recital
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Manchester Collective
Sky with the Four Suns
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Czech Janáček Philharmonic
with Daniel Raiskin and Jennifer Pike
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
with Mark Wigglesworth and Clara-Jumi Kang
Classical
Orchestral Season 2025/26
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
with Mark Wigglesworth and Alexandre Tharaud
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