The orchestra have unveiled details for the first part of its 75th anniversary celebrations.

The Philharmonia Orchestra have confirmed details for the initial part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, marking three-quarters of a century filled with concerts, recordings, technological innovation, community-led outreach and artistic adventure.

Philharmonia at 75 will open in January 2020 with a pair of concerts conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen focusing on the orchestra’s founding year (19th January) and featuring the world premiere of a new commission from Mark Anthony Turnage, Towards Alba, a Horn concerto (16th January) commissioned by the Philharmonia with support from John and Carol Wates.

The orchestra is led by Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen who said: “The Philharmonia started as a direct result of the advent of the LP. The orchestra’s founding was a response to the technological development of the day and ever since, the Philharmonia has been at the forefront of tech in classical music. Utilising pioneering technology and constantly being at the forefront of industry developments means that the orchestra adapts easily to new frontiers and new repertoire, because development has been in its DNA since its birth.”

As well as the two newly announced concerts, the Philharmonia Orchestra have announced it will be partnering with Warner Classics, which owns much of the Orchestra’s back catalogue, to release a box set of recordings from the years the Philharmonia was run by its founder, Walter Legge (1945-64). Philharmonia – Birth of a Legend will feature recordings with conductors who performed with the orchestra in its early years and is set for release on the 24th January 2020.

For more information visit: https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/