Philharmonia Orchestra Audio Podcast

Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen chats with John Florance at De Montfort Hall in Leicester: the conversation touches on Sibelius and his Violin Concerto, the relationship between soloist and conductor, and whether you really do need to know the narrative behind a piece of music to truly appreciate it. 

Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage talks with writer and presenter Katy Hamilton about his new work for horn, Towards Alba, premiered by Richard Watkins (horn) and the Philharmonia Orchestra on 16 Jan 2020 at the Royal Festival Hall. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's 75th birthday celebrations - click for more information: www.philharmonia.co.uk/POat75

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! www.philharmonia.co.uk

Conductor Elim Chan speaks to John Florence 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

Celebrating 75 years of the Philharmonia

Gavin Plumley, Series Advisor to the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Weimar Berlin: Bittersweet Metropolis, presents another look at Alban Berg's Violin Concerto, demonstrating how the simple dedication, "To the memory of an angel," tells only part of the story. Written after the early death of Alma Mahler and Walter Gropius's daughter, Manon, Plumley unearths some of the many "ghosts" lurking in the score and shares stories of love, betrayal and politics in Vienna high society. Recorded 26 Sept 2019, Royal Festival Hall, London. Please note that the first five minutes of the talk were not recorded after a technical fault. More on the series: http://philharmonia.co.uk/weimar_berlin

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

Conductor Pablo Heras-Casado chats with John Florence ahead of a concert at De Montfort Hall in Leicester with the Philharmonia Orchestra. They discuss how Pablo got his slightly unusual start in conducting, his love of early music, and the importance of the conductor to champion less popular repertoire.

John Florance talks to Conductor Xian Zhang ahead of her concert at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester on 29th March 2019.

The Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Philharmonia Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen, talks to BBC Radio 3 presenter Andrew McGregor about his Cello Concerto which took place at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday 24th February.

Organist James McVinnie introduces the UK premiere of Peter Eotvos' Multiversum, which happened at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 7 February 2019.

Katy Hamilton talks to Principal Guest Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Pianist Alice Sara Ott ahead of the Sibelius & Ravel concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 24 January 2019.

Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Trumpet Alistair Mackie talks with Principal Guest Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali ahead of an all-Strauss programme at De Montfort Hall in Leicester on 5 December 2018.

Katy Hamilton opens the Philharmonia Orchestra's 2018/19 Royal Festival Hall season with an Insights Talk on Esa-Pekka Salonen's concert programme of Wagner, Schoenberg and Bruckner.

Broadcaster Gavin Plumley tells the story behind the creation of Arnold Schoenberg's extraordinary Gurrelieder, performed by the Philharmonia and Esa-Pekka Salonen to close the Philharmonia Orchestra's 17/18 London concert season.

The Philharmonia Orchestra's Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen, chats with journalist John Florance ahead of a concert of Mahler's 1st Symphony and Beethoven's 2nd Piano Concerto at De Montfort Hall in Leicester on 10 April 2018. Topics cover Gustav Mahler and Jean Sibelius's famous encounter in Finland and their differing opinions of what a symphony should contain, the power of provocation in music, and Esa-Pekka Salonen's own struggle to balance composing, conducting and life. This concert repeats in London at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 12 April 2018 at 7:30pm. Book here: https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1752 Please note: Audience questions have been edited out due to being inaudible on the recording - we cut straight to the panellist answers.

Voices of Revolution: Russia 1917 Series Advisor Martin Sixsmith speaks to musicologist Marina Frolova-Walker about the different ways Soviet era composers navigated an increasingly volatile system, one that could be unpredictable, especially when it came to evaluating music.  Profiling composers featured in the Philharmonia Orchestra's Royal Festival Hall concert on 22 March 2018, Sixsmith and Frolova-Walker explore how Sergei Prokofiev was lured back to Russia with flattery; how Alexander Mosolov ended up in the Gulag; and how Reinhold Glière managed to work the system to his advantage by producing beautiful, accessible music.  Works discussed:  Mosolov: Iron Foundry Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 Glière: Concerto for Coloratura Soprano and Orchestra, The Red Poppy Recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. Philharmonia Orchestra's 'Voices of Revolution' series continues in March 2018. https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/series/68/voices_of_revolution_russia_1917 

Series Advisor Martin Sixsmith leads a discussion about Battleship Potemkin with Russian and Soviet Film Studies professor, Philip Cavendish. Cavendish discusses Battleship Potemkin's iconic role in world cinema, it's powerful cinematography and director Sergei Eisenstein's aim to capture the tragedy, the pathos and brutality of events that took part in Odessa. Recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. Philharmonia Orchestra's 'Voices of Revolution' series continues in March 2018.   

Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Jakub Hrůša speaks with Hannah Nepil of the Financial Times to discuss his relationship with the Philharmonia and his upcoming performance of Smetana's Má Vlast.  Recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. 

Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Principal Guest Conductor and Alistair Mackie, Principal Trumpet in conversation ahead of the Philharmonia's concert on Sunday 24th April, which included Elgar's Cello Concerto performed by Alban Gerhardt and Holst's 'The Planets'. This Pre-Concert Talk was also broadcast live on Facebook, which can be found at the following link: www.facebook.com/philharmoniaorch…154213671097202/ Rouvali's next concert with the Philharmonia is on Thursday 5th October 2017, the programme for which will include Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition'. Book tickets here: www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1716…an_exhibition

Conductor Rafael Payare and classical music writer Jessica Duchen in conversation ahead of the Philharmonia's concert on Thursday 9th March, which included Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No.1 in D, Op. 19 featuring violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann and Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances, Op.45.   

Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Principal Conductor and Artistic Director Esa-Pekka Salonen and Tom Service discuss Stravinsky, Ligeti and Ravel ahead of the Philharmonia's recent concert on Sunday 19th February. The Salonen/Aimard Inspirations series continues this Thursday 23rd Feb at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, with a programme including Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto, 'Emperor', and the London première of Tansy Davies's 'Forest', a concerto for four horns. www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1390…and_beethoven

Violist Lawrence Power, conductor John Wilson and Principal Bassoon Robin O'Neill in conversation ahead of the Philharmonia's latest concert on Thursday 12th February, which featured Walton's Viola Concerto. If you're interested in seeing more of Power performing live, his next concert with the Philharmonia is on 1st June 2017 at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall - http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1622/london/royal_festival_hall/1_june_2017/mahler_symphony_no_1

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. 

This week's Backstage Pass podcast is all about the oldest music festival in the world, the Three Choirs Festival. This year marks the 300th anniversary of the event. As the resident orchestra at the festival we were keen to mark this special event by bringing the behind-the-scenes experience of the Three Choirs to your ears. Tune in to hear more from this unique event with interviews from the festival's artistic director, Geraint Bowen, the Philharmonia roadies and our players.

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. 

This week's Backstage Pass is a behind-the-scenes documentary about the orchestra's latest education project. We follow 300 young singers and instrumentalists as they rehearse a work inspired by the discovery of Richard III in a Leicester car park. Composed by John Webb with creative input from the students, the musicians go on to complete a fantastic world premiere performance side by side with members of the Philharmonia. Share the experience of the group as they find their feet with this ambitious composition, The Last Plantagenet.

Earlier this year the Philharmonia Orchestra recorded tracks for Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron soundtrack from Abbey Road Studios, 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.

Talking bats, humanlike cats and tall hats - welcome to the world of Ravel and his opera l'Enfant et les Sortilèges. This episode we talk to world renowned soprano Barbara Hannigan about her role as the Princess, Esa-Pekka Salonen on the magic of Ravel and director Irina Brown from backstage at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall. If that isn't enough of a glimpse backstage, you'll hear from the costume designer, assistant conductor, Philharmonia Voices and Parisian soloists.

Step beyond the stage to the edge of the ocean with a special edition of Backstage Pass. This episode takes you behind the scenes of The Blue Planet in Concert.  From David Attenborough to the Royal Festival Hall stage, discover the magic of George Fenton's music and listen to audience reactions on the night.

Jump into the present day as we focus on contemporary music in the latest episode of Backstage Pass. Leave Mozart and Beethoven aside for fifteen minutes, it’s all about the composers bringing their work to life today. Listen out for dancing clarinetists, jazzy riffs and unexpected collaborations. This podcast features interviews with Unsuk Chin, Anders Hillborg and Kevin John Edusei.

Backstage Pass is the Philharmonia Orchestra’s first uniquely audio podcast. We already bring you video podcasts but this time it’s all about the audio. We'll 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, kicking off with Berlioz’ brilliant work – La Grande Messe des Morts. There’ll be laughter and unexpected discoveries along the way as well as an interview with Maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen. Sit back and listen to a different side of the Philharmonia.  

Composing a work for organ and orchestra is not an easy task, but celebrated Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho was up to the challenge in her new piece, Maan varjot (Earth's Shadows). Discover the collaborative process behind this new commission with this film featuring Kaija Saariaho and Esa-Pekka Salonen in conversation. Noted French organist, Olivier Latry, contributes his perspective and put the newly restored Southbank Centre organ through its paces. Come hear the Philharmonia Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Olivier Latry perform this new work in London on 26 June 2014, at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall: www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/480/london/royal_festival_hall/26_june_2014/salonen_conducts_sibelius. Maan varjot was co-commissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra, Southbank Centre, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and Orchestre National de Lyon.

The composers Antonín Dvořák and his favourite pupil and son-in-law, Josef Suk, were both influenced by place and close relationships with loved ones. Travel to Prague with conductor Jakub Hrůša, a Prague resident, to uncover the stories behind Dvořák's Cello Concerto and Suk's rarely performed work, the Asrael Symphony. Part of the Bohemian Legends concert series in April & May 2014, at Royal Festival Hall and beyond, conducted by Jakub Hrůša: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/bohemian

re-rite is the Philharmonia Orchestra's digital installation based on The Rite of Spring. Through this combination of immersive video and interactive design visitors can experience what it's like to play with a live orchestra. From conducting with Esa-Pekka Salonen to following the score note by note with each instrument - re-rite takes you inside the orchestra.

In this Listening Guide, pianist Nikolai Lugansky guides us through Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto. Dubbed 'Emperor' by its English publisher, this was Beethoven's last piano concerto. Find out more in this film about what makes this hugely popular work special and forward-looking, complete with illustrative extracts from the work performed by Lugansky. For more information on the Philharmonia's upcoming performance of the work with Nikolai Lugansky, please visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/464/london/royal_festival_hall/9_march_2014/lugansky_performs_emperor_piano_concerto

Season's Greetings from the Philharmonia Orchestra. We celebrate this year with a brass quintet of Philharmonia players, playing an arrangement of Gustav Holst's carol 'In the Bleak Midwinter', arranged by Toby Street. Why not send the Philharmonia Christmas Card to your friends? Visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/christmas to find out more.

In this feature-length biopic, Series Advisor Steven Stucky and Principal Conductor and Philharmonia Orchestra Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen travel to Poland to the explore the life and works of Polish composer Witold Lutosławski, from his early life, his struggle for survival in Warsaw during the Second World War, the Stalinist period, and finally into his latter and most mature works. This film was released as part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words - "Music begins where words end". Explore the series' digital resources at philharmonia.co.uk/lutoslawski.

In this film, Philharmonia members past and present tell the story of how a last-minute decision by the Orchestra's management 30 years ago ignited what would go on to be a long-lasting relationship between Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia, firstly as Principal Guest Conductor, and, since 2008, as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor.

In this film, Jennifer McLaren introduces her instrument - the e flat clarinet. To learn more about the e flat clarinet visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/explore/instruments/e_flat_clarinet. Why not download our iPad app The Orchestra to learn even more? Visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/app for more information.

The Philharmonia Orchestra were delighted to be invited to the Classical Stage at London Mela 2013, to perform Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's composition 'Samaagam', played on the sarod by his two sons Amaan and Ayaan. In this film we speak with the two brothers before their performance, as well as with conductor David Murphy, who spent a considerable amount of time in Delhi with the composer. We also hear from the Mela's Artistic Director Ajay Chhabra, on the history of the Mela and the continuing relationship with the Philharmonia.

The Philharmonia Orchestra's Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen, introduces Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, narrative programme music for the modern orchestra. To hear more about this piece, why not download our iPad app, 'The Orchestra'? Visit philharmonia.co.uk/app for more information.

Acknowledged as the UK's foremost musical pioneer, the Philharmonia Orchestra lives at the heart of British musical life. In this film, Simon Oliver (Double Bass and Chairman) introduces the Orchestra and its work today. For more information, please visit the new website www.philharmonia.co.uk.

Go on a journey with the Philharmonia Orchestra as they travel to Paris with Esa-Pekka Salonen, and prepare for a particularly special performance of the Rite of Spring at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées - the venue of the original première - in the piece's centenary year, 2013.

With 2013 being the Centenary year for Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Philharmonia Esa-Pekka Salonen discusses his relationship with this seminal work, and its continuing relevance in a 21st century context. To mark the Centenary, Esa-Pekka Salonen is touring the work across Europe with the Philharmonia Orchestra, a tour culminating in a concert at Paris's Theatre des Champs-Elysées, the venue of the work's infamously riotous première. The London Centenary concert will take place on Thursday 30th May at 7.30pm, at the Royal Festival Hall. For more information, please visit philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/30may13

In this interview, Esa-Pekka Salonen discusses Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4. Written at a politically turbulent time, during which was published the infamous Pravda article denouncing the composer and his work, its original première was eventually cancelled, and the work did not resurface until the early 1960s. Symphony No. 4 is being performed together with the Opera 'Orango', which has its European première in London on 16 May 2013. For more information on the concert, please visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/orango

An extended documentary about the recently-discovered opera by Shostakovich, 'Orango'. It features interviews with Esa-Pekka Salonen, who premiered the work, Gerard McBurney, who orchestrated the work, and Irina Brown, who is directing the semi-staged European Premiere taking place at the Royal Festival Hall in May 2013. As well as learning about how the work surfaced, and its orchestration, we also delve into some of the musical influences surrounding Shostakovich when he wrote the piece. Set against the historical context of the early 1930s, this film lifts the lid on a fascinating period in not only musical history, but the history of the Soviet Union. For more information on the European Premiere of Orango, taking place on May 16th 2013, please visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/orango

This extended documentary goes behind the scenes at the Philharmonia Orchestra's Universe of Sound project, from conception to completion. For more information on the project, please visit universeofsound.co.uk. Next dates: 27 April - 12 May 2013 Augustine House, Canterbury Christ Church University

Violinist Jennifer Koh talks about her relationship with Witold Lutosławski's Chain 2: Dialogue for Violin and Orchestra (1984–85), which she will perform with the Philharmonia Orchestra on 21 March 2013 at the Royal Festival Hall in London."The thing that satisfies me now - in every respect – is Chain 2." - Witold Lutosławski. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end". Explore the series' digital resources at www.philharmonia.co.uk/lutoslawski