Thanks for following the Philharmonia

Stephen Fry looking at camera, wearing coat and red tie

Beethoven's Prometheus

Meet a cast of dancing gods and muses, and two clay creatures learning how to be human, with a bit of help from Beethoven’s enchanting music. In his ballet The Creatures of Prometheus, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Greek legend comes to life with whimsical animation by Hillary Leben and narration by Beethoven superfan Stephen Fry.

Watch for free

Beethoven's Prometheus

Violinist Nicola Benedetti playing the violin onstage at the Battersea Arts Centre

Beethoven and Vaughan Williams

Conductor Paavo Järvi is joined by violinist Nicola Benedetti in Vaughan Williams’s soaring, hopeful The Lark Ascending, a surefire way to leave your worries behind. Then onto Beethoven’s First Symphony, full of youthful confidence, energy and charm. After the music, Anne-Marie Minhall, Classic FM presenter, talks to both conductor and soloist about their experiences this year.

New interactive online show, Dream

Immerse yourself in the universe of a Midsummer’s Night Dream, in a revolutionary virtual reality experience, with actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company and music performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Help guide Puck along the way in his mission to regrow the forest before dawn – from the comfort of your home.

New interactive online show, Dream

House-of-Absolute_Artist-in-Residence_group-photo_2_credit-Camilla-Greenwell_medium-res_960x600_acf_cropped

Artists in Residence

Multidisciplinary arts collective House of Absolute is our inaugural Artists in Residence. At a time when opportunities to cooperate are so restricted, we are eager to join forces with this daring company of dancers, vocalists, poets, choreographers and composers and look forward to creating innovative, thought-provoking work together – and of course to sharing it with our audiences.

Artists in Residence

Violinist Nicola Benedetti and conductor Pekka Kuusisto onstage with the Philharmonia at the Royal Festival Hall

Benedetti plays Beethoven

This all-Beethoven evening features his Second Symphony, an inspiring example of art created in adversity, and the expressive Violin Concerto, performed by Nicola Benedetti. Familiar to regular Philharmonia listeners as a violinist, Pekka Kuusisto is at the helm. You’ll be able to hear more from both artists in short interviews with Classic FM presenter, John Suchet, during the interval.

Conductor Esa Pekka Salonen on stage during a concert

Salonen conducts Britten and Ravel

“Watching Salonen conduct up close was a revelation (…) always achieving exactly what he seeks (…) The connection between the corps and their leader is just that strong. Nothing but the highest standard all around” (Bachtrack). At the heart of the programme is Britten’s Les Illuminations, a setting of nine poems by Rimbaud. To frame it, two equally evocative pieces by Ravel.

Julia Bullock singing onstage at the Royal Festival Hall wearing a black top

Meet soprano Julia Bullock

“I love art because I want to be enriched, engaged and entrenched in what is happening all around me. That’s why I feel the act of making music is socially conscious at its core.” We spoke to American soprano, Julia Bullock about art and activism, her extensive work on Les Illuminations text by Arthur Rimbaud and working with Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Meet soprano Julia Bullock

The ultimate guide to Pictures at an Exhibition

An insightful listening guide to help you and your family enjoy Mussorgsky’s vivid musical gallery tour, Pictures at an Exhibition, from your home. What is a descant? How does a pizzicato sound like? What sound evokes a creepy atmosphere, and which instrument makes it? We give you all the clues as you follow the music.

The ultimate guide to Pictures at an Exhibition