Philharmonia Orchestra Audio Podcast
Season's Greetings from the Philharmonia Orchestra. We celebrate this year with a brass quintet of Philharmonia players, playing an arrangement of Gustav Holst's carol 'In the Bleak Midwinter', arranged by Toby Street. Why not send the Philharmonia Christmas Card to your friends? Visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/christmas to find out more.
Direct download: 131212_podcast.mp3
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In this feature-length biopic, Series Advisor Steven Stucky and Principal Conductor and Philharmonia Orchestra Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen travel to Poland to the explore the life and works of Polish composer Witold Lutosławski, from his early life, his struggle for survival in Warsaw during the Second World War, the Stalinist period, and finally into his latter and most mature works. This film was released as part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words - "Music begins where words end". Explore the series’ digital resources at philharmonia.co.uk/lutoslawski.
Direct download: 131014_podcast.mp3
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In this film, Philharmonia members past and present tell the story of how a last-minute decision by the Orchestra's management 30 years ago ignited what would go on to be a long-lasting relationship between Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia, firstly as Principal Guest Conductor, and, since 2008, as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor.
Direct download: 130930_podcast.mp3
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In this film, Jennifer McLaren introduces her instrument - the e flat clarinet. To learn more about the e flat clarinet visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/explore/instruments/e_flat_clarinet. Why not download our iPad app The Orchestra to learn even more? Visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/app for more information.
Direct download: 130918_podcast.mp3
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The Philharmonia Orchestra were delighted to be invited to the Classical Stage at London Mela 2013, to perform Ustad Amjad Ali Khan's composition 'Samaagam', played on the sarod by his two sons Amaan and Ayaan. In this film we speak with the two brothers before their performance, as well as with conductor David Murphy, who spent a considerable amount of time in Delhi with the composer. We also hear from the Mela's Artistic Director Ajay Chhabra, on the history of the Mela and the continuing relationship with the Philharmonia.
Direct download: 130909_podcast.mp3
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The Philharmonia Orchestra's Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen, introduces Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, narrative programme music for the modern orchestra. To hear more about this piece, why not download our iPad app, 'The Orchestra'? Visit philharmonia.co.uk/app for more information.
Direct download: 130809_podcast.mp3
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Acknowledged as the UK's foremost musical pioneer, the Philharmonia Orchestra lives at the heart of British musical life. In this film, Simon Oliver (Double Bass and Chairman) introduces the Orchestra and its work today. For more information, please visit the new website www.philharmonia.co.uk.
Direct download: 130725_podcast.mp3
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Go on a journey with the Philharmonia Orchestra as they travel to Paris with Esa-Pekka Salonen, and prepare for a particularly special performance of the Rite of Spring at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées - the venue of the original première - in the piece's centenary year, 2013.
Direct download: 130619_podcast.mp3
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With 2013 being the Centenary year for Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Philharmonia Esa-Pekka Salonen discusses his relationship with this seminal work, and its continuing relevance in a 21st century context. To mark the Centenary, Esa-Pekka Salonen is touring the work across Europe with the Philharmonia Orchestra, a tour culminating in a concert at Paris's Theatre des Champs-Elysées, the venue of the work's infamously riotous première. The London Centenary concert will take place on Thursday 30th May at 7.30pm, at the Royal Festival Hall. For more information, please visit philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/30may13
Direct download: 130517_podcast.mp3
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In this interview, Esa-Pekka Salonen discusses Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4. Written at a politically turbulent time, during which was published the infamous Pravda article denouncing the composer and his work, its original première was eventually cancelled, and the work did not resurface until the early 1960s. Symphony No. 4 is being performed together with the Opera 'Orango', which has its European première in London on 16 May 2013. For more information on the concert, please visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/orango
Direct download: 130508_podcast.mp3
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An extended documentary about the recently-discovered opera by Shostakovich, 'Orango'. It features interviews with Esa-Pekka Salonen, who premiered the work, Gerard McBurney, who orchestrated the work, and Irina Brown, who is directing the semi-staged European Premiere taking place at the Royal Festival Hall in May 2013. As well as learning about how the work surfaced, and its orchestration, we also delve into some of the musical influences surrounding Shostakovich when he wrote the piece. Set against the historical context of the early 1930s, this film lifts the lid on a fascinating period in not only musical history, but the history of the Soviet Union. For more information on the European Premiere of Orango, taking place on May 16th 2013, please visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/orango
Direct download: 130503_podcast.mp3
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This extended documentary goes behind the scenes at the Philharmonia Orchestra's Universe of Sound project, from conception to completion. For more information on the project, please visit universeofsound.co.uk. Next dates: 27 April - 12 May 2013 Augustine House, Canterbury Christ Church University
Direct download: 130402_podcast.mp3
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Violinist Jennifer Koh talks about her relationship with Witold Lutosławski's Chain 2: Dialogue for Violin and Orchestra (1984–85), which she will perform with the Philharmonia Orchestra on 21 March 2013 at the Royal Festival Hall in London."The thing that satisfies me now - in every respect – is Chain 2." - Witold Lutosławski. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end". Explore the series’ digital resources at www.philharmonia.co.uk/lutoslawski
Direct download: 130314_podcast.mp3
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Philharmonia Orchestra violinist Adrián Varela and Tar Shehnai player Kirpal Singh Panesar come together to learn about each other's instrument, techniques, and ensemble playing. The project is a collaboration with Shruti Arts and Orchestras Live. Discover the Philharmonia Orchestra: De Montfort Hall, Leicester, Sunday 24 March 2013, 7:30pm. http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/24mar13/
Direct download: 130313_podcast.mp3
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Commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society, Witold Lutosławski's Cello Concerto was written for and premièred by the great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 1970. Tom Hutchinson of the Royal Philharmonic Society tells us more. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end". Explore the series’ digital resources at http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/lutoslawski
Direct download: 130307_podcast.mp3
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Series Advisor Steven Stucky talks with Philharmonia Orchestra members Samuel Coles (Joint Principal Flute) and Mark van de Wiel (Joint Principal Clarinet) about Witold Lutosławski's use of chance in his compositions, an approach called "controlled aleatorism." They work through a short passage of Lutosławski's Jeux venitiens (Venetian Games), illustrating how each performance is unique. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end". Explore the series’ digital resources at http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/lutoslawski, or visit www.woven-words.co.uk/game to explore Lutosławski's compositional techniques in a game!
Direct download: 130220_podcast.mp3
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Fourth in a series of four biographical films on the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen visit the Filharmonia Narodowa (National Concert Hall) in Warsaw and talk about the composer's later life. In his later years, Lutosławski flourished and finally found his distinctive musical voice. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".
Direct download: 130208_podcast.mp3
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Third in a series of four biographical films on the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen visited Polska Radio in Warsaw to talk about Lutosławski's work during Soviet rule. They view manuscripts of his compositions for radio and also pop music, which he composed under the pseudonym, Derwid. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".
Direct download: 130201_podcast.mp3
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Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen both knew the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski well. In this film, the two composers reminisce about their friend and mentor and discuss his work. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".
Direct download: 130131_podcast.mp3
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Second in a series of four biographical films on the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski. This film focuses on the composer's struggle for survival in Warsaw during World War II. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen traveled to Poland to find out more. Lutosławski expert Charles Bodman Rae also helps bring this terrifying moment in history to life. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".
Direct download: 130130_podcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 6:00pm UTC

First in a series of four biographical films on the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski. This film focuses on the composer's early life and beginnings in music. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen traveled to Poland to discover how tragic and traumatic events in Lutosławski's early life shaped his compositions and personality. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".
Direct download: 130129_podcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 6:00pm UTC

Pianist Peter Jablonski talks us through Witold Lutosławski's Piano Concerto (1987-88), which will be performed by Krystian Zimerman on 30 January at the Royal Festival Hall in London. This concert marks the opening of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".
Direct download: 130128_podcast.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 6:00pm UTC

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