Philharmonia Orchestra Audio Podcast

In this audio podcast, Michael Fuller introduces his instrument - the double bass.

The composers Antonín Dvořák and his favourite pupil and son-in-law, Josef Suk, were both influenced by place and close relationships with loved ones. Travel to Prague with conductor Jakub Hrůša, a Prague resident, to uncover the stories behind Dvořák's Cello Concerto and Suk's rarely performed work, the Asrael Symphony. Part of the Bohemian Legends concert series in April & May 2014, at Royal Festival Hall and beyond, conducted by Jakub Hrůša: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/bohemian

re-rite is the Philharmonia Orchestra’s digital installation based on The Rite of Spring. Through this combination of immersive video and interactive design visitors can experience what it's like to play with a live orchestra. From conducting with Esa-Pekka Salonen to following the score note by note with each instrument - re-rite takes you inside the orchestra.

In this Listening Guide, pianist Nikolai Lugansky guides us through Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto. Dubbed 'Emperor' by its English publisher, this was Beethoven's last piano concerto. Find out more in this film about what makes this hugely popular work special and forward-looking, complete with illustrative extracts from the work performed by Lugansky. For more information on the Philharmonia's upcoming performance of the work with Nikolai Lugansky, please visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/464/london/royal_festival_hall/9_march_2014/lugansky_performs_emperor_piano_concerto

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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/

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

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!

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".

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".

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".

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".

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".

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".

In this extended feature, Principal Timpanist Andy "Thumper" Smith, described here by a fellow player as a "defining feature of the Philharmonia sound", looks back fondly on his 40 year journey with the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Es ist ein ros entsprungen, arr. Roger Harvey. Performed by: Paul Sharp (trumpet), Mark Calder (trumpet), Katy Woolley (horn), Rebecca Smith (trombone), Pete Smith (tuba). Filmed at Le Méridien Piccadilly, Official Hotel Partner of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Send this as a digital Christmas card to your friends and family: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/christmas/

Orchestra Unwrapped is a major education initiative led by the Philharmonia Orchestra for Leicester and Basingstoke schoolchildren. Thousands of children aged 7-11 are given the opportunity to see a symphony orchestra and learn more about classical music in an engaging, funny and age-appropriate show. Find out more here: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra_unwrapped/

The Three Choirs Festival is the world's oldest and greatest Choral festival, and this year it will be held in Hereford Cathedral from 21-27 July. The Philharmonia continues their three year residency at the festival and to celebrate we talk to those involved in making it happen. Highlights at this year's festival include Julian Lloyd Webber playing Delius's Cello Concerto, Joseph Phibbs's new composition Rivers to the Sea and a rare performance of Dyson's Pilgrim's Progress.

British composer Joseph Phibbs was commissioned by Anvil Arts and the Philharmonia Orchestra to write a new symphonic work for The Anvil, Basingstoke's 18th Birthday celebrations and to mark the continuing relationship with the Philharmonia Orchestra as The Anvil's Orchestra in Partnership. We met with Joseph Phibbs while he was writing his new work, Rivers to the Sea, to get special insight into the composition process. Rivers to the Sea premières at the Anvil, Basingstoke on Fri 22 June 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/22jun12/. London premiere at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, 28 June 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/28jun12/. Three Choirs Festival, 21 July 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/21jul12/. Auditorio Lingotto, Turin, 20 Sept 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/20sep12/. Beethovenfest, Bonn, 5 Oct 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/05oct12/

In 2012 Esa-Pekka Salonen will begin a Beethoven symphonic series with the Philharmonia Orchestra, an exploration of cornerstones of the orchestral repertoire, culminating in a complete symphony cycle at the Beethovenfest in October 2012. In our latest podcast, Esa-Pekka Salonen explains why Beethoven matters. Click here for series information: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/series/salonen_beethoven/

Guitarist Craig Ogden in conversation with Leicester-based sitar player Roopa Panesar. The two virtuosi compare instrumental techniques and find links between the Indian and western classical music traditions. This podcast also gives audiences an introduction to Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, which Ogden will perform in Leicester on 1 February 2012. The project was a collaboration with Shruti Arts and Orchestras Live. For concert information and booking visit: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1feb12/

The Philharmonia Orchestra's Digital team travelled to Florence, Italy to discover the personal story behind Luigi Dallapiccola's opera, Il Prigioniero. Written between 1944 and 1948, Il Prigioniero expresses Dallapiccola's disillusionment with Mussolini's politics. Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen, writer and recording producer Misha Donat, and professor Mila De Santis give insight into this moving political statement. Find out more about the 26 January 2012 concert of Il Prigioniero here: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/26jan12/ Part of "The still point of the turning world": Music that defines an era series supported by the Meyer Foundation. (http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/series/still_point/)

Step into the world of Duke Bluebeard's Castle and discover the work done behind the scenes to bring the Philharmonia Orchestra's production of Bartók's only opera to life. Directed by Nick Hillel of Yeast Culture and conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, this unique, new production features specially created films projected onto the set surrounding the orchestra. The production tours the UK and Europe in October and November 2011. A Philharmonia Orchestra, Rite Digital and Yeast Culture production. Co-commissioned by the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (Lisbon) and Konzerthaus Dortmund. Part of the Infernal Dance: Inside the World of Béla Bartók season, generously supported by the Meyer Foundation. For series and concert information, please visit our Bartók mini-site. (www.philharmonia.co.uk/bartok)

Watch our behind-the-scenes film as Esa-Pekka Salonen prepares for a performance of Sibelius’s ‘choral’ symphony, Kullervo, based on a dark tale from the Finnish epic, the Kalevala. Salonen travelled to Uppsala, Sweden to rehearse with the male choir, Orphei Drängar, who feature prominently in the piece. This concert opens the Philharmonia Orchestra's 2011/12 London Season at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall. Click here to learn more and book tickets. philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/25sept11/

The Philharmonia Orchestra begins a new residency at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from November 2011. The residency, the first by a major symphony orchestra in Kent, will feature an annual series of concerts at The Marlowe Theatre, as well as forging links with local education organisations. Visit philharmonia.co.uk/canterbury for more information.

Esa-Pekka Salonen and pianist Yefim Bronfman meet Dániel Hamar and László Porteleki from Hungary's leading folk music ensemble, Muzsikás. Muzsikás perform traditional Hungarian pieces and discuss their origins, including the influence that this music had upon the work of Béla Bartók. Muzsikás will be performing in London and Basingstoke in 2011 as part of the Philharmonia's Infernal Dance series. For more information on these concerts or others in the series please visit : philharmonia.co.uk/​bartok

As part of his epic cycle of Mahler's major works this season with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Lorin Maazel talks to Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall about Gustav Mahler, the man. The series runs from April - October 2011. Visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/mahler for more details.

In preparation for the Philharmonia Orchestra's Maazel: Mahler Cycle 2011, celebrated conductor Lorin Maazel discusses the music of the great composer with Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall. The series runs from April - October 2011. Visit www.philharmonia.co.uk/mahler for more details.

Composer and conductor Carl Davis gives insight into his score for Rupert Julian's 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera. The Philharmonia Orchestra presents a screening of the film with live orchestral accompaniment on Sun 27 March at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall.

Malcolm Gillies travels to Béla Bartók's birthplace in Romania to explore the historical, ethnic, and political tensions that shaped Bartók's Hungary, and informed him musically. This film accompanies the Philharmonia Orchestra's 'Infernal Dance' series.

Throughout 2011 Esa-Pekka Salonen's major exploration of Bartók's life, influences and music travels throughout the UK and Europe. To kick off the project this January, Esa-Pekka Salonen discusses why he finds Bartók's works fascinating, challenging and inspiring.

Members of the Philharmonia Orchestra's brass section braved the cold this December to produce the orchestra's annual Christmas card. Filmed of the roof of London's Southbank Centre, the podcast features an arrangement of O Little Town of Bethlehem by Tim Jackson and great views of London. Happy Christmas from everyone at the Philharmonia Orchestra!

We went behind the scenes at Air Studios as the Philharmonia Orchestra recorded the music for the new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) Video Game to find out more about how music for games is composed, recorded and designed to enhance the in-game experience.

Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay was appointed Joint Concert Master of the Philharmonia Orchestra in 2007. At only 24, he had already been Germany’s youngest Concert Master and leader of the European Union Youth Orchestra. In this film Zsolt talks about learning the violin, his decision to become a professional player and his feelings about living in London.

Esa-Pekka Salonen and Peter Sellars’s Tristan und Isolde, with video art by Bill Viola, was premièred in Los Angeles in 2004 and has subsequently been revived in Paris and New York to great acclaim. Esa-Pekka Salonenand the Philharmonia Orchestra bring the production to the UK and other European venues, and this exclusive behind-the-scenes footage shows just how complex a production this is.

Set to complete his Rachmaninov Cycle with the Philharmonia this month, pianist Nikolai Lugansky plays excerpts from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and takes a closer look at this work.

Conductor Tugan Sokhiev discusses performing Stravinsky's Rite of Spring with the Philharmonia Orchestra, explaining why it still feels fresh nearly a century since its riotous première.

Pianist Nikolai Lugansky guides us through Rachmaninov's Fourth Concerto; the latest in our podcast series accompanying the Philharmonia's Rachmaninov Cycle.

Animateur Paul Rissmann guides us through Bartok's most famous orchestral work with help from Philharmonia Orchestra musicians.

Philharmonia brass players perform Silent Night on London's South Bank. You can send this video as a personalised e-card to your friends and family by visiting http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/christmas (from 14 Dec)

Esa-Pekka Salonen and Magnus Lindberg discuss their friendship, collaborations and Lindberg's new work GRAFFITI which will receive its UK première at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on 1 October.

In our first podcast of the 2009/10 season we speak to Vladimir Ashkenazy about his career, forthcoming season opening concerts with the Philharmonia Orchestra and future concert plans.

Julian Johnson travels to the Belvedere Gallery in Vienna to find out more about the explosion in the arts at this time and also speaks to Michael Molnar from the Freud Museum to discover why Freud was redefining what is is to be human.

In May's podcast Julian Johnson explores the life and work of Gustav Mahler and we take a look at the interaction between the arts in Vienna 1900.

In April's podcast we speak to Lorin Maazel about his 50 years conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra, take a guided tour though Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto with Nikolai Lugansky and speak to violinist Nicola Benedetti about life as a soloist and the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

Esa-Pekka Salonen, Arnold Schoenberg, and the effect of popular Viennese culture.

Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen and the family of Arnold Schoenberg.

Interviews with James Ehnes and Boris Giltburg, and a look at Stravinsky's Firebird Suite

We delve into the paganistic and brutal world of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, and take a look at things to come in the Philharmonia's first major project with Esa-Pekka Salonen, City of Dreams: Vienna 1900-1935.

Interviews with George Benjamin and Sir Charles Mackerras

We join Esa-Pekka Salonen as he prepares for his first concerts with the Philharmonia Orchestra as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor