Currently, London supports five major orchestras -- the London Symphony Orchestra (www.lso.co.uk), the Royal Philharmonic (www.rpo.co.uk), the London Philharmonic Orchestra (www.lpo.co.uk), the BBC Symphony (www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/so), and the BBC Philharmonic (www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/philharmonic) -- plus several choirs and operas, and many smaller chamber groups and historic-instrument ensembles. In addition to the big stars listed above, also look for the London Sinfonietta (www.londonsinfonietta.org.uk), a contemporary-music ensemble; the English Chamber Orchestra (www.englishchamberorchestra.co.uk); and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (www.academysmif.co.uk). Concerts for many of the groups mentioned above are presented, with exceptions, in the South Bank Arts Centre or the Barbican. For smaller recitals, venues include Wigmore Hall and St. John's Smith Square. Check the websites to find out where and when the orchestras and ensembles listed above are performing.

British Music Information Centre, 10 Stratford Place, W1 (tel. 020/7499-8567), is the city's resource center for classical music. It's open Monday through Friday from noon to 5pm and provides free telephone and walk-in information on current and upcoming events. Recitals featuring 20th-century British classical compositions are offered at the information center twice weekly, usually on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30pm (call for exact day and time). Since capacity is limited to 40, you may want to check early. The recitals cost up to £5 ($7.75). Take the Tube to Bond Street.