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Fresh from our concert in London on Sunday 30 March, our Principal Conductor leads the Philharmonia on a three-day tour to three beautiful Spanish cities. Joined by solo pianist Javier Perianes, plus our Principal Clarinet Mark van de Wiel in Madrid, we perform music by Saint-Saëns, Stravinsky, Debussy and Franck. Find out more about the repertoire and programme for each concert by viewing the links below.

Join us at De Montfort Hall on Tuesday, 8th April 2025, at 7pm for an unforgettable evening as Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducts a mesmerizing program featuring the works of Shostakovich and Prokofiev. This concert promises to be a highlight of the 24/25 Leicester Season, showcasing the talents of conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali and the virtuosic violinist Nemanja Radulović. The evening will commence with Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1, "Classical", a piece inspired by Mozart and known for its light-hearted and dance-filled movements. Following this, the audience will be treated to Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1, a piece that, due to Soviet disapproval, was not premiered until after Stalin's death. This concerto is a profound reflection of Shostakovich's experiences under repression, especially evident in the beautifully yearning third movement leading into a wild finale. Nemanja Radulović's energy and "firepower" (Gramophone) will bring this piece to life on the De Montfort Hall stage. The program will conclude with Shostakovich's Symphony No. 1, a work composed by a young Shostakovich at the age of 19 as his graduation piece from the Petrograd Conservatory. Despite his youth, this symphony already showcases the composer's distinctive voice and style, marking it as one of his finest works. Ticket prices range from £21 to £46, with multi-buy discounts available. Special pricing is available for those aged 25 or under, students, and recipients of Universal or Pension Credit. A group booking discount is also available. The concert will run for approximately 2 hours, including a 20-minute interval. Attendees can look forward to free printed programmes available at the venue, with digital programme notes accessible a week before the concert. For more information or to book your tickets, please contact the De Montfort Hall box office at 0116 233 3111. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the power and beauty of 20th-century classics performed by the Philharmonia under the baton of Santtu-Matias Rouvali, with the exceptional Nemanja Radulović on violin.

Immerse yourself in an evening of profound musical expression with the Philharmonia at The Anvil, Basingstoke, on Wednesday, 9th April 2025, at 7:30 pm. This captivating concert, under the baton of Santtu-Matias Rouvali, features a compelling program that bridges the works of Shostakovich and Prokofiev, two titans of 20th-century classical music. The concert opens with Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1, "Classical", an homage to the grace and clarity of Mozart's style, yet infused with Prokofiev's own playful and innovative spirit. This light-hearted piece sets the stage with its dance-like movements and joyful energy. The evening takes a deeper, more introspective turn with Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1, featuring the charismatic violinist Nemanja Radulović. His performance promises to bring an electrifying energy and emotional depth to the piece, particularly in the hauntingly beautiful third movement, a reflection of Shostakovich's struggle under Soviet repression. Completing the program is Shostakovich's Symphony No. 1, a work of remarkable maturity and inventiveness from the composer's student days. This piece showcases the early emergence of Shostakovich's distinctive voice and style, making it a fitting conclusion to an evening that celebrates the resilience and creativity of these composers. Tickets are priced between £17 and £45, with special discounts available for groups, under 25s, and full-time students. The concert's duration is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including an interval, making it an ideal cultural outing for audiences aged 7 and above. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the power and beauty of Shostakovich and Prokofiev's music, brought to life by the Philharmonia's principal conductor and featured artist in the heart of Basingstoke. For bookings and further information, contact the Anvil Arts Box Office at 01256 844244.

The harp takes centre stage in this free early-evening performance by members of the Philharmonia Orchestra. In the early years of the 20th century, the Paris instrument-makers Pleyel had commissioned Debussy to write a piece to show off the capabilities of a new model of harp. Their rival company, Erard, fought back by commissioning from Ravel this mini-concerto for harp, strings and woodwind, that would make the most of the technical and expressive potential of their instruments. The result is certainly some of the most attractive advertising music ever written.

‘The greatest graduation piece of all time’ crowns this evening of 20th century classics. The Philharmonia’s Principal Conductor Santtu opens with Prokofiev’s ‘happy and uncomplicated’, Mozart-inspired Symphony No. 1. Prokofiev wrote in his journal while he was writing the effervescent last movement ‘I was hugging myself with delight all the time I was composing it.’

The Philharmonia pairs Shostakovich’s extraordinary final symphony with the famous overture quoted in its first movement.

Western classical and African musical traditions come together in a programme where music by Bach, Elgar and Vivaldi meets compositions for the kora – a West African stringed instrument.

Oh To Believe in Another World is an animated film to ‘illuminate and honour’ Shostakovich’s powerful Symphony No. 10. Shostakovich’s symphony was premiered a few months after the death of Stalin, and in it he puts into music the violence and dread of Russia’s years under the dictator’s regime. Using collage, puppets and masked actors, artist William Kentridge creates a dream-like ‘Soviet museum’ to accompany the symphony, featuring a cast of characters including Lenin, Stalin, and Shostakovich himself.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of classical music at The Marlowe in Canterbury on Friday, 25th April 2025, at 7:30 pm, featuring the extraordinary talents of Marin Alsop and Jeneba Kanneh-Mason with the Philharmonia. This special concert marks Marin Alsop's first performance with the Philharmonia in Canterbury, showcasing her role as the orchestra's Principal Guest Conductor. The evening will commence with Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2, a piece renowned for its memorable melodies and emotional depth. Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, who made her Philharmonia debut with this concerto in 2022 to critical acclaim, returns to captivate the Canterbury audience with her poetic interpretation and confident performance. Following an interval, the concert will conclude with Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10, a powerful and evocative work rumored to contain a musical depiction of Stalin. This symphony, with its themes of darkness, fear, and the triumph of the human spirit, promises to leave a lasting impression. Ticket prices range from £17 to £56, with multi-buy discounts available. Special £10 'Discovery' tickets are offered to individuals aged 16-26, and schools can also avail of £10 tickets. The concert is expected to run for approximately 2 hours, including an interval, and is recommended for audiences aged 7 and above. For more information or to book your tickets, please contact The Marlowe Box Office at 01227 787787. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of live classical music in the heart of Canterbury.

Join us at the Bedford Corn Exchange for an unforgettable evening of classical music as Jeneba Kanneh-Mason takes the stage to perform Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2. This concert, happening on Tuesday, 29th April 2025 at 7:30 pm, marks a highlight of the Philharmonia's 2024/25 season in Bedford, showcasing romantic grandeur and dramatic flair. Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, celebrated for her poetic and confident performance style, returns to Bedford after her acclaimed Philharmonia debut in 2022. Her rendition of Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto, one of the most beloved pieces in classical music history, promises to captivate the audience once again. The evening will also feature the Philharmonia debut of young British conductor and Classic FM Rising Star, Tess Jackson. She will lead the orchestra through Tchaikovsky’s explosive Symphony No. 4, a powerful exploration of Fate and the meaning of life, composed during a period of personal turmoil for Tchaikovsky. Tickets are priced between £15 and £40, with priority booking available for Friends of the Philharmonia. General booking opens at 10am on Tuesday, 23rd April. This concert offers a multi-buy discount, with special rates for under-18s, full-time students, and concessions. The performance duration is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including a 20-minute interval. It is recommended for audiences aged 7 and above. Attendees will also have the opportunity to enhance their concert experience with free printed and digital programme notes available a week before the concert. Before the concert, at 6:30 pm in the Harpur Suite, join us for an Insights Talk with Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. This pre-concert talk is free and does not require a ticket. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the emotional depth and technical brilliance of Jeneba Kanneh-Mason and the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Bedford Corn Exchange, located at 13 St Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1SL. For more information and to book your tickets, contact the Philharmonia Box Office at 0800 652 6717, Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm.