Merry Christmas from everyone at the Philharmonia Orchestra!

Enjoy our 2016 Christmas Card, filmed in St Mary de Castro, Leicester, with eight wonderful cellists from the Philharmonia Orchestra's cello section.
Silent Night (Gruber), arranged for 8 cellos by Richard Birchall
Performed by: Karen Stephenson, Richard Birchall, Victoria Simonsen, Anne Baker, Maria Zachariadou, Judith Fleet, Rebecca Herman and Ella Rundle

Send this as a digital Christmas card: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/christmas

Have you ever thought about conducting but been too intimidated to follow through on the idea? Watch this video for Esa-Pekka Salonen's tips on what it takes to become a great conductor and why it's such a brilliant role to have in the Orchestra.

This film was produced for The Virtual Orchestra project, you can find out more about this celebration of classical music here - http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/live_blog

Join us backstage ahead of one of our latest concerts with Tim Gibbs, the Philharmonia Orchestra’s Principal Double Bass. The Royal Festival Hall is our home in London and this video gives you a sneak peek of what it’s like to walk the corridors with a Philharmonia musician, including some of the characters you meet along the way.

This film was produced for The Virtual Orchestra project, you can find out more about this celebration of classical music here - http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/live_blog

"It might be Scandinavian, but his music is altogether hotter, more volatile and certainly more of a rollercoaster ride." Take a closer look at the life and music of Danish composer Carl Nielsen with journalist Andrew Mellor and conductor Paavo Järvi. Shot behind the scenes at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Find out more about our Nielsen concerts here: philharmonia.co.uk/nielsen
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London
Thursday 10 November 2016, 7.30pm
Thursday 2 February 2017, 7.30pm

Oedipus tears out his own eyes, a terrifying and unforgettable moment. As director of the opera-oratorio Oedipus rex, Peter Sellars talks to us about the human heart of the story. In this short film Peter opens up his creative mind, and explains the pairing in this concert with the peaceful Symphony of Psalms.

Discover this film, and others, as an interactive documentary, and book tickets for Stravinsky: Myths & Rituals: philharmonia.co.uk/stravinsky

Stravinsky’s career is punctuated by the retelling of classical myths: Oedipus, Apollon musagète, Persephone, Orpheus, Agon. It was through these myths that Stravinsky found the means to come to terms with the deep sadness and losses of the years of war and revolution through which he lived.

Discover this film, and others, as an interactive documentary, and book tickets for Stravinsky: Myths & Rituals: philharmonia.co.uk/stravinsky

The Philharmonia Orchestra and Darbar have collaborated on an exciting cross-cultural music project called Universal Notes. The new piece was created in a year of workshops in India and the UK and will premiere at Darbar Festival on 16 Sept 2016. Taking inspiration from India’s raga mode of melody, the project moves away from jamming and ‘fusion’ styles, with an ambition to create music that brings two great classical traditions together equally. This film, shot on location in Bangalore and Mumbai, introduces the project and its participants.

The concert premiere of Universal Notes takes place at the Darbar Festival at Royal Festival Hall, London, Friday 16 September 2016, 6.30pm. philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1632

In partnership with The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil and inspired by the work of Roald Dahl, Strike a Chord! explores creative music making in the classroom, as well as offering hundreds of school children from across Yeovil the opportunity to hear quality live music in a fun and interactive way. Follow the journey of Yeovil’s school children as they create, compose and perform their own music, before attending a very special concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Charles Hazlewood to hear Paul Patterson’s Little Red Riding Hood live at The Octagon.

In Stravinsky’s later life he looked to religion for comfort and inspiration, both directly to his own Russian Orthodox faith, and more widely. Esa-Pekka Salonen reflects on Stravinsky’s religious works such as the Cantata and the Mass, as well as on his musical homages to lost friends.

Delve into Stravinsky’s Les Noces with pianists Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Tamara Stefanovich. This striking piece features the rare sight of four pianos on stage, played alongside percussionists and singers to create a unique spectacle. In this short film Pierre-Laurent and Tamara explain why they think Les Noces is the most exciting composition for piano today, with other surprising insights along the way. 

Agon was supposed to be a ballet to end all ballets – that’s what the choreographer George Balanchine wanted to complete his trio of myth-based ballet collaborations with Stravinsky: Apollon musagète, Orpheus, and now Agon. Choreographer Karole Armitage, who danced with Balanchine, is creating a new version of Agon, to première with the Philharmonia in May 2016. Go behind the scenes with her during the rehearsal process.