9 classical music playlists to watch during lockdown

Filming with Principal Oboe Tom Blomfield

Our concert halls may be closed, but our passion for sharing incredible musical experiences with you is strong as ever: we have collated some of our favourite video content to keep you and your family going during this uncertain time.   

If you are dealing with home schooling, have been sent home early from university, or are looking to learn something new, we have over 40 playlists on our YouTube channel and 500 films.

Below are a few suggestions where to start, but you can discover all of our playlists here. 

We also will be releasing new content over the coming weeks, so join our 100,000+ subscribers to be alerted to each new release.

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Suggested playlists

Video

Instrument guides (36 videos)

Learn about every instrument in the orchestra, and then some, directly from our players. These videos are great for Key Stage 3 students in the UK, composers, and anyone curious about how instruments work.
Video

Mahler: Symphony No. 3 (6 videos)

A full, live performance of Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting Mahler’s 3rd Symphony at the Royal Festival Hall. Not to be missed.
Video

Listening guides (70 videos)

Whether or not you are familiar with orchestral music, our listening guides are designed to give you that extra level of understanding. This could be the personal perspective of an artist, or a guide through a piece with one of our expert presenters.
Video

In depth (34 videos)

Long-form films, many of them filmed on location around the world: find out about the lives of great composers like Sibelius, Stravinsky and Lutosławski, or discover the work that goes into our learning and engagement projects. Sit in on a music lesson. Grab a cup of tea and a blanket and settle in.
Video

Our story (15 videos)

In 2020, the Philharmonia Orchestra celebrates 75 years of exceptional music-making. Meet some of the people who have been a part of our story, on stage and behind the scenes.
Video

Artists in conversation (30 videos)

We all love a great conversation. A collection of our favourite conversations between artists. Meet Philharmonia players and some of the world's top soloists, conductors and composers.
Video

Living music and today's composers (31 videos)

The Philharmonia Orchestra is proud to regularly commission and perform music by today's best composers. Meet the composers and the artists championing their work.
Video

Weimar Berlin: Bittersweet Metropolis (8 videos)

The Weimar Republic is part of GCSE history in the UK. Brush up on this rich and unstable cultural moment in our films, all shot on location in Germany for our concert series in 2019. (Please note that a couple of the films contain mild adult themes and language, so we recommend parents watch these films with their children.)
Video

In performance (81 videos)

Above all else, you will know the Philharmonia from our performances - recordings, staged productions, film scores, chamber music - these videos provide a selection of films with Philharmonia players and other artists doing what they do best.

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