Internationally renowned as one of the most exciting hubs for classical music, the Southbank Centre’s 2011/12 season will see some of the world’s leading conductors, orchestras and instrumentalists take to the stage.

Major festivals and projects in the upcoming season will bring the cream of classical superstars to London; international luminaries including Gustavo Dudamel, Daniel Barenboim and Claudio Abbado with the legendary Lucerne Festival Orchestra are set to dazzle in the Royal Festival Hall as part of the Shell Classic International Series.

Featured amongst the highlights of the International Chamber Music Season are Southbank Centre Associate Artists the Takács Quartet performing Béla Bartók’s six string quartets, Steven Isserlis and Robert Levin presenting the complete Beethoven Sonatas for Cello and Piano, and Magdalena Kožená bringing a diverse programme of 20th-century works to the Queen Elizabeth Hall stage. This eclectic programme of concerts is sure to encompass the magical intimacy of chamber music.

The centre’s resident orchestras each offer exciting programmes as part of the 2011/12 season, such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s exploration of the music of Prokofiev led by Vladimir Jurowski. The London Sinfonietta’s major celebration of Boulez – Exquisite Labyrinth: the music of Pierre Boulez – sits alongside premieres of new commissions from the ensemble. The Philharmonia Orchestra present Infernal Dance: Inside the world of Béla Bartók and a Mahler Symphony Cycle with Lorin Maazel. Meanwhile, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s range of events feature musical explorations for young and old, including a TOTS concert that introduces under-fives to the exciting world of classical music.

The International Piano Series is one of the most significant platforms for solo piano recitals. The focus of this season is a tribute to Franz Liszt, whose bicentenary falls in 2011. Pianists Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Marizio Pollini, Mitsuko Uchida are amongst the ones to watch in the series’ thrilling lineup.

For great deals on tickets, book more than one concert in any of the year-long series for discounts.

To find out more, visit southbankcentre.co.uk/classical and check out the season trailer on youtube.