symphonicjukebox
Orchestral music in the streets
The Format
The Symphonic Jukebox turns a public square into a concert hall under the open sky. Passers-by decide what the symphony orchestra plays next.
The principle could not be simpler: at the jukebox, passers-by choose from a repertoire reaching from the baroque to the present day. The orchestra plays the chosen excerpts live, while the presenter shares the stories behind the composers, the selected works or the era.
The result is an experience for the most diverse audience imaginable: recognisable sounds and familiar names welcome newcomers, while the light-footed, flexible form still surprises seasoned concertgoers. Age and prior knowledge are irrelevant – the Symphonic Jukebox speaks to literally everyone who walks past.
The format premiered in the summer of 2025 in collaboration with the Lucerne Festival Academy. In 2026 the Symphonic Jukebox returns to Lucerne's old town with new features, a new design and additional works from the current festival programme. You will hear the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra (LFCO) conducted by Joseph Sieber.
September 2025 — Pilot with Lucerne Festival Academy