LPO announces Sir George Benjamin as its next Composer-in-Residence

The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) has announced that renowned British composer Sir George Benjamin will succeed Tania León as its next Composer-in-Residence, starting in September 2025.
As the LPO’s Composer-in-Residence, Sir George Benjamin will take part in rehearsals and performances of his works. During the 2025/26 season, he will also conduct an LPO concert featuring one of his compositions. Additionally, he will mentor the five participants selected annually for the LPO Young Composers programme, which supports the development of emerging orchestral composers.
Sir George Benjamin expressed his enthusiasm: “What a delight it was to hear the LPO give a terrific performance of Sudden Time—a piece of mine that they premiered in 1993—under Edward Gardner at the Royal Festival Hall a couple of years ago. I now greatly look forward to collaborating with this illustrious orchestra and their wonderful Principal Conductor in the coming seasons, as well as contributing to their renowned Young Composers programme.”
LPO Artistic Director Elena Dubinets highlighted the significance of this appointment: “The appointment of George Benjamin as Composer-in-Residence is a thrilling milestone, reaffirming the LPO’s dedication to championing the very best of contemporary music. His profound artistry, visionary creativity, and ability to craft works of striking emotional depth promise to inspire not only the musicians of the orchestra but also audiences worldwide. I am especially excited that many of the LPO Young Composers will have the unique opportunity to study under his guidance.”
Sir George Benjamin is regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary classical music. Born in 1960, he studied composition with Olivier Messiaen at the Paris Conservatoire and Alexander Goehr at King’s College, Cambridge. His early work, Ringed by the Flat Horizon, was performed at the BBC Proms in 1980 when he was just 20, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career. Benjamin’s compositions have been performed by renowned conductors and leading orchestras worldwide. His groundbreaking operatic collaborations with playwright Martin Crimp have produced modern classics such as Into the Little Hill, Written on Skin, and Lessons in Love and Violence. His most recent opera, Picture a Day Like This, premiered at the 2023 Aix-en-Provence Festival.