The Philharmonia's free, early evening Music of Today series offers audiences the chance to hear new music. The composer is usually present to introduce and discuss their work, offering insight into the music performed and the process of composition. If you think new music isn’t for you, come and give Music of Today a try, and see if we can change your mind.

www.philharmonia.co.uk/musicoftoday

Music of Today 2015/2016

This second release from the Phillharmonia and Esa-Pekka Salonen’s 2011 Bela Bartók series, Infernal Dance, features three works: one-act pantomime The Miraculous Mandarin; the six-movement Dance Suite; and Contrasts for violin, clarinet and piano, performed by Philharmonia Concertmaster Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay, Principal Clarinet Mark van de Wiel, and pianist Yefim Bronfman. 

Contrasts is one of Béla Bartók s most imaginative forays into the world of chamber music. His only chamber work involving a woodwind instrument (for Piano, Clarinet and Violin), Contrasts originated in a commission from the American King of Swing, Benny Goodman. Composed to mark the 50th anniversary of Budapest in 1923, Bartók’s Dance Suite is a rhapsodic collection of folk inspired tunes that marked a sonorous change in direction from the composer’s more dissonant works up to that point. The ballet-pantomime The Miraculous Mandarin is raw, dangerous, exotic and elemental: using the rarely performed full ballet score it is frenzied music, percussive, sensuous and violent, telling a shocking story of desire and death.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/bartok-miraculous-mandarin/id1141937585 

Bartók | The Miraculous Mandarin

Listen to extracts from three characteristically fiery works by Danish composer Carl Nielsen: the Flute and Clarinet concertos and the Aladdin Suite.

Recorded live in London's Royal Festival Hall, the album will be available from 3 March 2017.

Nielsen Flute Concerto, Clarinet Concerto, Aladdin Suite

We select many of our pre-concert talks to share with our audiences so that you can hear directly from the wonderful artists we work with, interviewed by leading journalists and scholars.

Insights Talks from the Philharmonia Orchestra

Backstage Pass is the Philharmonia Orchestra's first uniquely audio podcast. We already bring you video podcasts but this time the focus is audio.

We take you behind the scenes of the Orchestra, giving you exclusive access to the players and a glimpse of the hard work that goes on before each and every concert.

This week the podcast is dedicated to our new season launch last Thursday, Berlioz’ brilliant work – La Grande Messe des Morts.

You’ll hear laughter and unexpected discoveries along the way as well as an interview with Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Click to listen to a different side of the Philharmonia.


Backstage Pass Episode 1: Berlioz Requiem

Earlier this year the Philharmonia Orchestra recorded tracks for Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron soundtrack from Abbey Road Studios in London. For this special edition of Backstage Pass we are happy to feature an extended interview with the film's composer Brian Tyler. Welcome to the musical world of Tony Stark, The Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America, Thor, and many more epic Marvel superheros.

Backstage Pass Episode 5: Avengers: Age Of Ultron recording the soundtrack

On Monday 8th June at 7pm the Philharmonia Orchestra releases an exclusive film - Vladimir Ashkenazy on the Path of Jean Sibelius. Listen to this playlist for a preview of the musical moments that will feature.

First Vladimir Ashkenazy takes to Sibelius' piano to perform an extract from Valse Triste, then it's over to the orchestra as they rehearse the Karelia Suite and finally Finnish pianist Erkki Korhonen plays us out with a romantic dedication to Sibelius' wife Aino.

Be the first to share in the full film as it launches on Monday 8th June, visit - https://youtube.com/philharmonialondon

Listen Live

Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts Jean Sibelius, Ballade from Karelia Suite, Op. 11 (rehearsal extract)

Vladimir Ashkenazy performs Jean Sibelius, Valse Triste (piano arrangement), Op. 44 No.1

Our latest podcast is a special extended edition of Backstage Pass, recorded live at Henley Festival. On the 10 July 2015 the Philharmonia Orchestra performed with Gregory Porter, Alison Balsom, Laura Mvula, Shona McGarty, Ballet Black and Ji Liu in a celebration of George Gershwin's music, led by Troy Miller and Fabio D'Andrea. Follow the musicians backstage in this episode for a glimpse of this spectacular event.

The podcast features interviews with Alison Balsom, Gregory Porter, Laura Mvula and dancers from Ballet Black as well as a host of other special guests. If you're interested in hearing one person in particular, we've put comments to mark each interview, so you can tune-in at exactly the right moment for your favourite artist. 

As always, let us know what you think of the podcast by commenting on the track and follow us to be first to listen to the next episode.

Backstage Pass Episode 7: Henley Festival Special - Feat. Laura Mvula, Gregory Porter, Alison Balsom

Recorded at the Salzburg Festival in 2014 at the beginning of a series marking his 85th birthday season, Christoph von Dohnányi leads the Philharmonia Orchestra in a rousing live performance of Bruckner's monumental Ninth Symphony, which stands alongside the other epoch-defining Ninth symphonies of Beethoven and Mahler.

Listen to this playlist to experience moments from a brilliant performance.

Bruckner Symphony No.9 | Movement 4 Extract

Bruckner Symphony No.9 | Movement 3 Extract

Bruckner Symphony No.9 | Movement 2 Extract

Bruckner Symphony No.9 | Movement 1 Extract

Listen to exclusive extracts from film composer (The Bourne Identity, X-Men, Ice Age) John Powell’s new Prussian Requiem, with libretto by Michael Petry. The Philharmonia perform the world première on Sunday 6 March 2016 as part of a concert commemorating the First World War, alongside Elgar’s haunting Cello Concerto and Vaughan Williams’s nostalgic, ever-fresh The Lark Ascending.
 
For more information, visit: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1222/london/royal_festival_hall/6_march_2016/first_world_war_commemoration_concert

The March | John Powell | A Prussian Requiem

Introduction To Moltke | John Powell | A Prussian Requiem

India and Europe have distinctly different musical traditions – how can they be brought together? Look for an answer in British-Indian composer Param Vir's (*1952) music. One of the most interesting composers of his time, Vir is a true cosmopolitan who has always profoundly embraced both cultures in his music. Raga Fields is his first work showcasing an Asian traditional instrument, the sarod (Indian lute). Here, the concept of raga meets a luminous, decidedly contemporary sound-world: the Indian soloist and the Western ensemble melt into something new that is more than a sum of its parts.
 
Raga Fields was performed on Thursday 15 October 2015, conducted by Kwamé Ryan with Soumik Datta on sarod.

Live

Raga Fields | Param Vir

Rising star cellist Isang Enders is a former principal cellist of the Staatskapelle Dresden who recently decided to concentrate on his solo career. Enriching the cello repertoire by commissioning and championing new music, here Enders showcases Ligeti’s iconic Sonata for solo cello, deemed “too modern” to be performed at the time of its composition in 1953, and unplayed for over 25 years. It was performed by Isang Enders on Thursday 18 February 2016, conducted by Pierre-André Valade.

Sonata for Cello | György Ligeti

Rising star cellist Isang Enders is a former principal cellist of the Staatskapelle Dresden who recently decided to concentrate on his solo career. Enriching the cello repertoire by commissioning and championing new music, here Enders showcases Esa-Pekka Salonen’s fearsomely virtuosic work for solo cello and ensemble, Mania. It was performed by Isang Enders on Thursday 18 February 2016, conducted by Pierre-André Valade.

Mania | Esa-Pekka Salonen

From Avengers: Age of Ultron to Iron Man III and Furious 7, Hollywood film composer Brian Tyler has scored the soundtracks to some of the biggest box office movies of all time.
 
Making his London début on Saturday 7 May 2016, Brian Tyler joins the Philharmonia Orchestra to conduct his most famous film scores at the Royal Festival Hall, featuring Marvel films, Now You See Me, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, fan favourites including Children of Dune and game score franchises such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. 

For more information and to book tickets: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1272/london/royal_festival_hall/7_may_2016/brian_tyler_live_film_music_for_stars_cars_and_superheroes_
 

Transformers: Prime | Brian Tyler

Thor: The Dark World | Brian Tyler

Now You See Me - The Four Horsemen | Brian Tyler

Iron Man III | Brian Tyler

Avengers: Age Of Ultron - Rise Together | Brian Tyler

Friedrich Goldmann (1941-2009) is the best-kept secret of modern German music. An East German, Goldmann wrote cosmopolitan music that defied socialist realism with its strikingly original synthesis of tradition and fiercely inventive modernism. After German reunification, he remained a highly respected figure, equally revered as composer, conductor and pedagogue. Linie/Splitter 2 was performed on Thursday 14 April 2016, conducted by Tito Ceccherini.

Linie Splitter 2 | Friedrich Goldmann

Friedrich Goldmann (1941-2009) is the best-kept secret of modern German music. An East German, Goldmann wrote cosmopolitan music that defied socialist realism with its strikingly original synthesis of tradition and fiercely inventive modernism. After German reunification, he remained a highly respected figure, equally revered as composer, conductor and pedagogue. Fast Erstarrte Unruhe 3 was performed on Thursday 14 April 2016, conducted by Tito Ceccherini.

Fast Erstarrte Unruhe 3 | Friedrich Goldmann

Listen to exclusive extracts from our new CD release of Schubert Symphony No. 9 recorded live in October 2015 at the Royal Festival Hall, conducted by the Philharmonia’s Honorary Conductor for Life, Christoph von Dohnányi. 

This release is part of the Philharmonia Orchestra’s 70th Anniversary celebrations, and will be available from 17 June 2016.

01 Symphony No. 9 In C | I. Andante – Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Swiss composer Dieter Ammann (*1962) started out as an experimental jazz musician and became a composer only at 30. 

He was tutored by luminaries including the late Witold Lutosławski. His reputation has risen swiftly in recent years: accolades include a Siemens Prize, a residency at the Lucerne Festival and enthusiastic praise from figures such as Pierre Boulez. Ammann's music is open-minded, sophisticated, energetic, communicative, sensitive, surprising, inventive – and long overdue a regular place in the contemporary repertory. 

Violation was performed on Thursday 19 May 2016, conducted by Roland Kluttig.

Violation - Dieter Ammann

This second release from the Phillharmonia and Esa-Pekka Salonen’s 2011 Bela Bartók series, Infernal Dance, features three works: one-act pantomime The Miraculous Mandarin; the six-movement Dance Suite; and Contrasts for violin, clarinet and piano, performed by Philharmonia Concertmaster Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay, Principal Clarinet Mark van de Wiel, and pianist Yefim Bronfman.

Contrasts is one of Béla Bartók s most imaginative forays into the world of chamber music. His only chamber work involving a woodwind instrument (for Piano, Clarinet and Violin), Contrasts originated in a commission from the American King of Swing, Benny Goodman. Composed to mark the 50th anniversary of Budapest in 1923, Bartók’s Dance Suite is a rhapsodic collection of folk inspired tunes that marked a sonorous change in direction from the composer’s more dissonant works up to that point. The ballet-pantomime The Miraculous Mandarin is raw, dangerous, exotic and elemental: using the rarely performed full ballet score it is frenzied music, percussive, sensuous and violent, telling a shocking story of desire and death.

Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin - Dance Suite - Contrasts

Contrasts, Sz. 111: III. Seles | Bartók

This second release from the Phillharmonia and Esa-Pekka Salonen’s 2011 Bela Bartók series, Infernal Dance, features three works: one-act pantomime The Miraculous Mandarin; the six-movement Dance Suite; and Contrasts for violin, clarinet and piano, performed by Philharmonia Concertmaster Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay, Principal Clarinet Mark van de Wiel, and pianist Yefim Bronfman. 

Contrasts is one of Béla Bartók s most imaginative forays into the world of chamber music. His only chamber work involving a woodwind instrument (for Piano, Clarinet and Violin), Contrasts originated in a commission from the American King of Swing, Benny Goodman. Composed to mark the 50th anniversary of Budapest in 1923, Bartók’s Dance Suite is a rhapsodic collection of folk inspired tunes that marked a sonorous change in direction from the composer’s more dissonant works up to that point. The ballet-pantomime The Miraculous Mandarin is raw, dangerous, exotic and elemental: using the rarely performed full ballet score it is frenzied music, percussive, sensuous and violent, telling a shocking story of desire and death.

Dance Suite, Sz. 77: V. Commodo – Finale | Bartók

The Miraculous Mandarin, Sz. 73: Introduction - A Bustling City Street | Bartók

Legendary pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy took some time with us to discuss his relationship with Rachmaninov's music, which he has been exploring with the Philharmonia Orchestra for over a year. As the series comes to a close, Maestro Ashkenazy takes us back in time to his youth in Russia where we hear about his first musical experiences and early encounters with Rachmaninov's music. He is joined by his wife, Thorunn "Dody" Ashkenazy, in this extended interview.

Vladimir Ashkenazy on Rachmaninov

Listen to extracts from three characteristically fiery works by Danish composer Carl Nielsen: the Flute and Clarinet Concertos and the Aladdin Suite.

Recorded live in London's Royal Festival Hall, the album will be available from 3 March 2017.

03 Aladdin Suite | I. Oriental Festive March

02 Clarinet Concerto |  I. Allegretto un poco

01 Flute Concerto | I. Allegro moderato

Series Advisor Gavin Plumley launches the Philharmonia Orchestra's Weimar Berlin: Bittersweet Metropolis concert series with a pre-concert talk with historian, Philipp Blom, author of Fracture: Life and Culture in the West 1918-1938. The two draw clear parallels between Weimar Germany and today's changing world. The series continues in June and September 2019: https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/series/82/weimar_berlin_bittersweet_metropolis

Philharmonia Orchestra Audio Podcast

Philharmonia Orchestra Insights Talk - Gavin Plumley in conversation with Philipp Blom

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA BIRTH OF A LEGEND - PODCAST

Conductor Elim Chan speaks to John Florance at De Montfort Hall in Leicester in a fascinating pre-concert talk that covers ballet, dreams of being a coroner and why conducting orchestras can be like dating. 

www.philharmonia.co.uk

Philharmonia Orchestra Insights Talk - Elim Chan (conductor) in conversation with John Florance

Enjoy this wide-ranging talk with conductor Pablo Heras-Casado and Natasha Riordan-Eva, delving into the life of the French composer Lili Boulanger, French impressionist music and early music. Heras-Casado also talks about his extensive recording work and what to do when you've just had too much music!

Philharmonia Orchestra Insights Talk - Pablo Heras-Casado (conductor) with Natasha Riordan-Eva

Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage talks with writer and presenter Katy Hamilton about his new work for horn, Towards Alba, premiered by Richard Watkins (horn) the Philharmonia Orchestra on 16 Jan 2020 at the Royal Festival Hall.

Philharmonia Orchestra Insights Talk - Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage talks to Katy Hamilton

Philharmonia Orchestra Insights Talk - Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen chats with John Florance

Ravel: 'Lever du jour' (Daybreak) from 'Daphnis et Chloé', recorded by the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, specifically for 'Dream'.

Lever du jour, Daphnis et Chloe

Sunrise

Jesper Nordin's 'Ärr', recorded by the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, specifically for 'Dream'.

Ärr

The Philharmonia Orchestra, founded in 1945, is a world-class symphony orchestra for the 21st century.
 
Led by its Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Philharmonia has a pioneering approach to the role of the modern-day symphony orchestra, reaching new audiences and participants through audience development, digital technology and learning and participation programmes.
 
The Philharmonia has been resident at Southbank Centre since 1995 and presents a Season of over 50 performances each year. Orchestral programming is complemented by series including Philharmonia at the Movies, Music of Today, the Philharmonia Chamber Players and an Insights Talks programme.

Philharmonia Orchestra - Official Page

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