Southbank Centre has today announced highlights of ‘The Rest Is Noise: the Soundtrack of the 20th Century’, its yearlong festival of 250 events dedicated to the culture and music of the 20th century. Taking place throughout 2013, the programme includes 100 concerts, 150 talks, film screenings, debates and exhibitions, and involves 18 orchestras including the London Philharmonic, London Sinfonietta, BBC Scottish Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, The Hallé, Northern Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

‘Inspired by Alex Ross’ award-winning book, The Rest is Noise, we have set out to capture the spirit of a century and how music reflected its discords, wars and revolutions,’ said Southbank Centre artistic director Jude Kelly. ‘Through the epic scale and breadth of the programme, we hope to inspire new audiences to discover the multiple stories and the music of the 20th century.’

At the centre of the programme are 100 concerts featuring the 18 orchestras in key works by composers ranging from Richard Strauss to John Adams. The festival’s principal orchestral partner, the London Philharmonic Orchestra under principal conductor Vladimir Jurowski, will dedicate all its concerts throughout the year to 20th century music.

Among those taking part in talks and debates are Alex Ross, Marcus du Sautoy, Edmund de Waal, Nuria Schoenberg-Nono, Alain de Botton and Neil Bartlett, while film screenings include Luchino Visconti’s Death in Venice, Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times with live music accompaniment, and Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris.

BBC Four will broadcast, and screen at the Southbank Centre, a new three-part documentary series 'The Sound of Fury: A Century of Modern Music', co-produced with The Open University. The channel will also show selected archive material reflecting on the music, composers and events featured in 'The Rest Is Noise', while BBC Radio 3 will broadcast a series of concerts from the festival.

'The Rest Is Noise' opens on January 19, 2013. For full details of the year’s events visit 'The Rest Is Noise' microsite, which also includes links to free learning materials and resources from the Open University and BBC programming.