London Symphony Orchestra's next conductor wants to make sweet music in old power station

One of the world's most renowned classical music conductors said he wants to achieve a life's ambition and make sweet music in an old power station.

The principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Simon Rattle will be the next music director of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO).

He told journalists in London on Tuesday that he aimed to play with his new orchestra in the turbine hall of the former power station, which is now the home to Tate Modern Art Gallery.

"The turbine hall is long and thin... there is probably not much music that will work here," said Rattle.

But he thinks he has found the ideal piece -- "Gruppen" by the experimental German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen.

The controversial piece was written in the 1950s and has achieve fame because of its complexity and challenging structure -- it needs three separate orchestras. It is often described as more of an event than a concert.

"'Gruppen' will fit in this space," said Rattle, at a press conference to announce his first season with the LSO.

Rattle promised an unconventional approach to music-making under his baton.

"The idea (is) that we find other spaces in this extraordinary city where we can do extraordinary things, this is only the start. There are many spaces where we can have some wild and wonderful adventures," said Rattle.

The inaugural Rattle season begins with a 10-day musical celebration to mark his arrival, which includes works by Arnold Schoenberg, Igor Stravinsky and Gustav Mahler. Endit