Philharmonia Orchestra announces 10-date US tour as part of 80th birthday celebrations

The Philharmonia Orchestra today announces a major 10-date tour of the East and West Coasts of the USA, with Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop.

• Santtu is joined by the inimitable Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, the Philharmonia’s Featured Artist in the 2025/26 season, and Marin Alsop is joined by the sensational French pianist Alexandre Kantorow.
• Across his concerts, Santtu conducts Sibelius Symphony No. 5, Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, Sibelius Finlandia, and the US premiere of a specially commissioned piece by Gabriela Ortiz, the Philharmonia’s Featured Composer in the 2025/26 season.
• Víkingur Ólafsson performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, ‘Emperor’ and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G – two masterpieces in the piano repertoire that exemplify his virtuosity. 
• Marin Alsop and Alexandre Kantorow’s programme: Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 and Bartók Concerto for Orchestra. 

The tour culminates in two concerts at the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York. This marks the Philharmonia’s first appearance at Carnegie Hall in 20 years and is a fitting way to celebrate the orchestra’s 80th birthday. Both Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Marin Alsop’s programmes at the prestigious venue nod to the Philharmonia’s first US tour in 1955, when they celebrated their tenth anniversary with legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan. His performances with the Orchestra in the same hall 70 years ago included Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5. 

Thorben Dittes, the Philharmonia’s CEO, said: ‘I’m delighted that the Philharmonia will make its much-anticipated return to the US in October for a fantastic series of concerts with both Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop. The first major tour during our 80th anniversary season, we will mark our actual birthday with two performances at Carnegie Hall – including repertoire that Karajan conducted in the same venue 70 years ago, in 1955, to mark our 10th anniversary and first US Tour. The Philharmonia has a rich history of performing in America, so this feels a fitting way to celebrate this landmark moment.’

Santtu-Matias Rouvali said: ‘I am so excited for this tour with the Philharmonia in the USA, and to be able to celebrate the Orchestra’s 80th birthday with these wonderful musicians. We will perform lots of great music by Beethoven, Shostakovich, Sibelius and more, and I cannot wait to make my Philharmonia debut at the iconic Carnegie Hall. It will be a very special moment, to share this experience with the Philharmonia. I am also looking forward to sharing the stage with the fantastic Víkingur Ólafsson – an inspiring, expert musician with whom it is always a joy to collaborate.’

Marin Alsop said: ‘Sharing the stage with the Philharmonia Orchestra as Principal Guest Conductor is always an honour, and I’m thrilled to be part of this historic US tour. Celebrating the orchestra’s 80th anniversary at Carnegie Hall with pianist Alexandre Kantorow makes this occasion even more special.’

The Philharmonia Orchestra’s 80th Anniversary Tour to the United States is supported by a leading gift from Kate and Andrew Davis, through a grant from the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund. Additional major support is provided by Board Members of the Philharmonia Foundation USA and American Patrons of the Philharmonia, including Matthew and Severa Hurlock, William and Sharon Jacob, William and Serena Lese and Rob and Betsy Pitts.

The Philharmonia is grateful to all donors to and patrons of the Philharmonia Foundation for their support of this tour.