Adventures in music London Season 2020/21 Esa-Pekka Salonen Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor

Tickets: philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717

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… to the ’s 2020/21 London season at the Southbank Centre. Our season is brimming with stories, from Nordic legends to Old Testament dramas. There are stories to seduce and to shock, epic choral masterpieces, opium-fuelled dreams and chivalric fantasies. Our concerts feature some of the greatest artists in , including conductor , violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Yuja Wang. At the heart of the programme are three concerts with our Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen, exploring Greek myths set to music by great composers. Look out for ’s extraordinary opera Elektra, Scriabin’s multi-sensory Prometheus: The Poem of Fire, and Ravel’s captivating music for the ballet Daphnis and Chloé. Esa-Pekka Salonen © Benjamin Ealovega Come and join us for a year of adventures in music.

Yuja Wang © Julia Wesely

Soong Choo and Eunsley Park © Camilla Greenwell

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Esa-Pekka Salonen Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor This is Esa-Pekka’s final season as our Principal Conductor. He first conducted the Philharmonia in 1983, and has been at the helm since 2008. Over the years he has led us on some of our most exciting artistic adventures – this year he’s set a course for Ancient Greece, exploring the enduring power of Greek myths and legends Philharmonia Orchestra © Camilla Greenwell through music by Scriabin, Strauss, Rameau The Orchestra and Ravel – and a piece of his own. The Philharmonia Orchestra is a team of 80 musicians, of 18 different nationalities. Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall © Belinda Lawley We are Resident Orchestra at the Southbank Centre, and also have residencies in Bedford, We play around 40 concerts each year at the Canterbury, Leicester, Basingstoke, at Southbank Centre. Most of them are in the Support Us Garsington Opera and at the Three Choirs Grade-I listed Royal Festival Hall, built in 1951 Your support is vital and Festival. We tour all over Europe, and to as the centrepiece of the Festival of Britain. helps us achieve our mission the USA, Japan and China. Some are in the smaller Queen Elizabeth Hall to create thrilling musical and Purcell Room, just next door. experiences for everyone. We make recordings, play for movie and video soundtracks, and create groundbreaking Virtual Esa-Pekka Salonen © Clive Barda Our season runs from September to June, and As a registered charity, Reality experiences. Our learning and education most of our London concerts are on Thursday the Philharmonia relies on projects, our films, and our pioneering use of Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Sunday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. funding from a wide range technology enable more people to experience A full list of this season’s concerts begins of sources. You can donate Principal Conductor Designate world-class music-making. on page 8. as an individual, or through a Santtu will take over the Principal Conductor’s foundation, trust or company. Find out more about us on our website, The Southbank Centre is close to Waterloo, baton from his fellow Finn next season, elected philharmonia.co.uk. Embankment and Charing Cross tube stations. Your support helps us create by the players themselves. He’s already It’s accessible to all, and has a choice of world-class concerts across made quite an impression with his expressive restaurants, cafes and bars. For more details the UK, and continue our conducting style and his deep musicality. visit southbankcentre.co.uk/visitor-info. extraordinary Learning & Catch him conducting Beethoven, Shostakovich, Engagement projects with Orff, Mozart and Tchaikovsky this season. Some of our concerts are broadcast on BBC school children, promising Radio 3, either live or a few days later, and young musicians, families available for 30 days via the Radio 3 website and communities. and the BBC iPlayer Radio app. To find out more, please visit philharmonia.co.uk/support or call 020 7921 3903.

Santtu-Matias Rouvali © Camilla Greenwell

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Philharmonia Chamber Players These concerts are at 6pm in Royal Festival Hall, they last around 45 minutes, and they are completely free – just walk straight in. They are planned and performed by small ensembles formed from within the Orchestra. Our players relish the opportunity to play chamber music with their friends and

© Beth Walsh colleagues and share some of their favourite music with you. Programme details will be Subscription concerts available online from spring 2020. Almost all our 7.30pm and 3pm concerts are part of our subscription season, which Music of Today means you can ‘subscribe’ by booking three Experience musical history in the making and or more concerts in the same transaction to be the first to hear brand new works – without save between 10% and 30% on your tickets. risking too much of your time or money. The exceptions are our two Christmas concerts Most of our Music of Today concerts are at 6pm on 13 December (page 18), our family concert and last around 45 minutes, and most of them Gaspard’s Foxtrot on 20 February (page 22) are free. They take place in different Southbank and The Dream of Gerontius on 25 June Centre venues, including Queen Elizabeth Hall (page 34). You’ll find details of subscription and Purcell Room. You’ll find full details on savings on page 39. page 36. Sunday matinees Insights events Our popular Sunday Matinee concerts start Before some concerts, hear from conductors, at 3pm and finish around 5pm. There’s plenty soloists and members of the Orchestra about of time for you to meet friends and family the music you’re about to enjoy. Our Insights for a meal before or after the concert, and Talks are free, just walk in. to enjoy some great music without worrying This season’s Insights Day on 7 February is about missing the last train home. Subscription part of our Origin Stories: Greek Myth in discounts apply to matinees too, so you Music series. Learn more about the enduring can make it a habit. Look out for in the fascination of Ancient Greek myths and concert listings. characters for composers, writers and artists. See page 20 for details.

Santtu-Matias Rouvali © Camilla Greenwell

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Key: Origin Stories: Dohnányi conducts Brahms Dvořák and Rachmaninov Philharmonia at 75 Prometheus Sunday 27 September 2020, 7.30pm Thursday 1 October 2020, 7.30pm Origin Stories: Greek Myth in Music Thursday 24 September 2020, 7.30pm Christoph von Dohnányi – conductor Conductor to be confirmed* Sunday Matinees Martin Helmchen – piano Denis Kozhukhin – piano Esa-Pekka Salonen – conductor Beethoven 250 Yuja Wang – piano BRAHMS Piano No. 1 DVOŘÁK In Nature’s Realm Philharmonia Voices BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3 Brahms Symphonies DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 8 Programme includes: Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia for All concerts are in Royal Festival Hall, BEETHOVEN The Creatures 11 years, and now Honorary Conductor for Life, Two of Dvořák’s sunniest works make unless otherwise stated. See page 39 of Prometheus (excerpts) Christoph von Dohnányi is one of the most the perfect foil for the intensity of for ticket prices. SCRIABIN Prometheus: The Poem of Fire distinguished figures in classical music. Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto. Origin Stories: Esa-Pekka Salonen opens his exploration of He opens with Brahms’s First Piano Concerto, Both overture and symphony open with the Greek Myth Greek myth in music with two contrasting works musical drama on a symphonic scale. The piece sound of birdsong. An early reviewer praised inspired by an ancient Greek creation story. stems from a turning point in Brahms’s life, In Nature’s Realm for its “joyful spring in Music Both tell of Prometheus, who breathed life into the attempted suicide of his mentor Robert mood… vitality, spontaneity and naturalness”, clay to create human beings, and stole fire from Schumann and his burgeoning love for Clara, and the same could be said of the Eighth Esa-Pekka Salonen presents the gods to give them light and understanding. Robert’s wife. Martin Helmchen follows in Symphony, full of melodies evoking Dvořák’s three epic performances, both Brahms’s and Clara Schumann’s footsteps beloved Bohemian countryside. exploring classical Beethoven wrote his only ballet score in 1801. as soloist, with “nimble fingers, questing composers’ responses to Beyond the well-known Overture lies music of Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto was intelligence and a beating heart” the elemental tales found Classical grace, including the theme that later considered too difficult by even the top pianists (The Times). in Ancient Greek myth. became the Finale of the ‘Eroica’ Symphony. of his day, but it holds no fear for soloist Composers from Beethoven Over twenty years later, a more serene Brahms Denis Kozhukhin. A regular collaborator with Scriabin envelops his audience not just in to Strauss take on universal (still a steadfast friend to Clara) composed his the Philharmonia, Kozhukhin was praised last metaphorical light, but in the colours he themes: violence and Third Symphony. Woven through this graceful time he played with us for his “impeccably associated with different pitches and harmonies revenge, resistance work is his musical motto, F - A flat - F, standing crystal clear technique [and] musical – his Prometheus features a part for the ‘luce’, to tyranny, sex and desire, for ‘Frei aber froh’, free but happy. confidence” (Bachtrack). or colour organ. Yuja Wang, renowned for her and what makes us human. captivating stage presence, joins the orchestra * Vladimir Ashkenazy, who was due to conduct See page 20 for Strauss’s in the virtuosic solo piano part. this concert and the one on 19 November, Elektra and page 33 for announced his retirement just as this brochure Insights Talk Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé. went to print. Please check philharmonia.co.uk — for updated information. 6pm, The Clore Balroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall We wish Vladimir Ashkenazy all the best and thank him for his many years of inspiring Free, no ticket required music-making with the Philharmonia.

Christoph von Dohnanyi © Clive Barda

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Hrůša conducts Britten Järvi conducts Mozart Brahms and the and Barber and Mahler Schumanns Sunday 11 October 2020, 7.30pm Thursday 15 October 2020, 7.30pm Sunday 25 October 2020, 3pm Jakub Hrůša – conductor Paavo Järvi – conductor James Gaffigan – conductor Isabelle Faust – violin Jan Lisiecki – piano Isata Kanneh-Mason – piano BRITTEN Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes SCHMIDT Notre Dame Intermezzo ROBERT SCHUMANN Manfred Overture BRITTEN Violin Concerto MOZART Piano Concerto No. 20 CLARA SCHUMANN Piano Concerto BARBER Adagio for Strings MAHLER Symphony No. 9 BRAHMS Symphony No. 1

BARBER Symphony No. 1 Isata Kanneh-Mason © Robin Clewley Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, the last work Husband and wife, mentor and protégé, admirer Jakub Hrůša conducts a beguiling programme he completed, is a work of overwhelming and lifelong friend – no three composers were bringing together two key twentieth-century emotional impact. In almost 90 minutes, Philharmonia at 75 closer than those in tonight’s programme. composers, Samuel Barber and it spans doubt and defiance; grief and Throughout 2020, British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason and . hope; climaxes of devastating power, we celebrate 75 years American conductor James Gaffigan make their and a hushed ending that can make an since the Philharmonia was Barber’s gorgeous Adagio for Strings has Philharmonia debuts in an exploration of this enthralled audience of thousands almost founded – three-quarters become the go-to soundtrack for big quintessentially Romantic trio. forget to breathe. of a century of brilliant live emotional moments, from film scores to music-making, definitive The second movement of Clara Schumann’s national outpourings of grief. But Barber Pianist Jan Lisiecki is a musician who recordings, technological Piano Concerto, a yearning Romance for solo was no one-hit wonder. His First Symphony understands this entrancing power of music innovation and artistic piano and cello, shares its title with Isata condenses all the expressiveness and energy well. To pave the way for Mahler’s masterpiece, adventure. Kanneh-Mason’s chart-topping album of of a traditional four-movement work into he has chosen one of Mozart’s most passionate Clara’s music. an unbroken 20-minute span. piano . This is the first piece The orchestra’s Philharmonia Lisiecki recorded for Deutsche Gramophon at 75 series brings you the Clara’s husband Robert Schumann no doubt The score of Britten’s Four Sea Interludes when they signed him aged just 15. very best of the Philharmonia, identified with Manfred, the tormented hero contains notes on the images he wanted to including cornerstones of its of Byron’s poem, who chooses death conjure up in his music, from boats anchored Paavo Järvi opens the evening with a short repertoire, conductors who over submission. in a peaceful river at night to the wind but opulently scored work by Franz Schmidt, have played key roles in the and spray of the fourth interlude, ‘Storm’. a pupil of Bruckner. Brahms’s First Symphony is a magnificent orchestra’s history, and His elegiac Violin Concerto is just as evocative. tribute to Beethoven. The stirring horn theme exciting collaborations, and triumphant ending of the final movement Insights Talk in a snapshot of an orchestra are among the high points of 19th century — that has always looked to orchestral music. 6pm, Royal Festival Hall the future. Free, no ticket required The Philharmonia gave its first concert in October 1945 – come and celebrate our birthday with us.

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Santtu conducts Beethoven Walton: Belshazzar’s Feast Elim Chan: Rachmaninov and Shostakovich Thursday 5 November 2020, 7.30pm and Sibelius Thursday 29 October 2020, 7.30pm John Wilson – conductor Thursday 12 November 2020, 7.30pm Louis Schwizgebel – piano Santtu-Matias Rouvali – conductor Elim Chan – conductor Božidar Smiljanić – baritone Lars Vogt – piano Sergey Khachatryan – violin Philharmonia Voices BEETHOVEN Overture, Leonore No. 3 Crouch End Festival Chorus GRIEG Two Elegiac Melodies BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 SIBELIUS Violin Concerto GERSHWIN Cuban Overture SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 12 RACHMANINOV Symphonic Dances RAVEL Piano Concerto in G (The Year 1917) WALTON Belshazzar’s Feast Three composers reminisce in tonight’s Santtu’s first programme of the season brings evocative programme. An upbeat first half heady with the rhythms together two composers who knew more than of American jazz and Cuban dance contrasts Rachmaninov’s brilliant Symphonic most about the struggle against tyranny. with Walton’s dramatic Old Testament tale. Dances are a masterclass in orchestral writing, Shostakovich’s Twelfth Symphony is his musical giving every instrument from the piccolo to Belshazzar’s Feast tells of the fabulously tribute to Lenin and the 1917 revolution. Despite the contrabassoon a chance to shine. Maybe wealthy and decadent city of Babylon, and the a lifetime of potentially catastrophic run-ins aware that this would be his last completed dramatic downfall of its godless ruler. Walton with the Soviet regime, Shostakovich succeeds work, Rachmaninov quotes passages from invokes a huge orchestra, eight-part choir, in portraying the optimistic idealism of the his First Symphony, and writes a singing, organ, and two brass bands. early days of Communism. soulful melody for a relative newcomer to Santtu-Matias Rouvali © Camilla Greenwell Ravel’s concerto, inspired by the jazz he heard the orchestra, the alto saxophone. From the very first notes of his Fourth Piano on a tour of the United States, frames a serenely Concerto, played by the soloist alone, Sibelius once hoped to become a professional beautiful Adagio with outer movements of Beethoven gives us a masterclass in how to violinist. He pours all his love for the carefree, effervescent energy. It’s the perfect grab and keep an audience’s rapt attention. instrument into a concerto of great depth showcase for Louis Schwizgebel’s imaginative, Lars Vogt’s recording of the concerto was hailed and emotional power. It’s well suited to the insightful playing. by Gramophone as a “marvellous performance “almost unreal beauty” ( Times) … sharp-witted and endlessly beguiling”. In 1932, Gershwin holidayed in Cuba, for “two of Sergey Khachatryan’s playing. hysterical weeks… where no sleep was had”. Beethoven’s overture compresses the plot of To open, Elim Chan has chosen Grieg’s string He returned with a full set of Cuban percussion his only opera, from the darkness of a prison arrangement of two of his songs. His richly instruments, and put them straight to work cell, through the first stirrings of hope to nostalgic music conjures up the poet’s passion in his Rumba-fuelled Cuban Overture. the triumph of love and liberty. for life, beauty and nature. Elim Chan © Willeke Machiels MMSF Young Artists’ Recital Music of Today: Insights Talk: Elim Chan — Anna Thorvaldsdottir discusses this evening’s 6pm, Royal Festival Hall — programme 6pm, Purcell Room at Free, no ticket required — Queen Elizabeth Hall 6pm, The Clore Balroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall Free, ticket required Free, no ticket required See page 36 for details

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Beethoven’s Fifth Blomstedt conducts Nordic Legends Thursday 19 November 2020, 7.30pm Bruckner Sunday 6 December 2020, 3pm Conductor to be confirmed* Sunday 29 November 2020, 7.30pm Tabita Berglund – conductor Antje Weithaas – violin Håvard Gimse – piano Herbert Blomstedt – conductor Marie-Elisabeth Hecker – cello GRIEG Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Martin Helmchen – piano BRUCKNER Symphony No. 8 GRIEG Piano Concerto BEETHOVEN Coriolan Overture Veteran conductor Herbert Blomstedt SIBELIUS Lemminkäinen Legends BEETHOVEN Triple Concerto joins in our 75th birthday celebrations, with Two outstanding Norwegian musicians BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5 the epic symphony he conducted the make their Royal Festival Hall debuts in first time he worked with the Philharmonia. There’s so much more to Beethoven’s an afternoon of Scandinavian classics. Symphony No. 5 than those Two movements of Bruckner’s Eighth Tabita Berglund’s conducting career has taken stop-you-in-your-tracks opening chords. Symphony are marked ‘Feierlich’ – off at an astonishing rate since she won the And whether you’ve heard a dozen different ceremonial – and indeed a live performance Neeme Järvi Prize in 2018. Håvard Gimse recordings, or never listened to it all the way of this 80-minute work can feel like a musical is a familiar face at concert halls and festivals through, it’s well worth experiencing it live. ceremony, even a spiritual journey. around Scandinavia, with a particular affinity Writing in the 1920s, an American critic Two more Beethoven works complete the for the music of his homeland. They join described it as “a world of deep breaths programme, a fitting conclusion to our forces in Grieg’s magnificent Piano Concerto, and far vistas and profound experience.” Beethoven 250 celebrations. The Roman a favourite with audiences ever since

Philharmonia Orchestra © Camilla Greenwell general Coriolanus chooses compassion over Who better to lead us on this journey than its premiere. vengeance, in music that vividly describes Herbert Blomstedt? Loved and admired in Peer Gynt’s adventures begin with a radiant his struggle with his conscience. The Triple equal measure by musicians and listeners Beethoven 250 evocation of morning, and take him to the Hall Concerto is an altogether lighter affair, the world over, he radiates an infectious Throughout 2020, musicians of the Mountain King, crowded with trolls and composed for an aristocratic 16-year-old energy that belies his nine decades. and music lovers the world goblins. The Finnish folk hero Lemminkäinen piano pupil – stylish, graceful and full of over celebrate the 250th Philharmonia Chamber must travel to Tuonela, the Island of the Dead, singing melodies. anniversary of Beethoven’s Players where he encounters a mysterious black swan birth. It’s hard to imagine * See note on page 9. — embodied by an ethereal solo for the cor classical music, or much 6pm, Royal Festival Hall anglais. Grieg and Sibelius tell their stories of 19th- and 20th-century in memorable music that has all the expressive Free, no ticket required European culture, without power of the legends themselves. Beethoven’s music and the seismic change in the role of the creative artist that he embodied. This season, we join our fellow Resident Orchestras in the Southbank Centre’s Beethoven 250 series.

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Riccardo Muti conducts Verdi’s Requiem Thursday 10 December 2020, 7.30pm Riccardo Muti – conductor Asmik Grigorian – soprano Anita Rachvelishvili – mezzo soprano Francesco Meli – tenor Riccardo Zanellato – bass Philharmonia Chorus VERDI Requiem Riccardo Muti, former Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia, returns to London to conduct Verdi’s roof-raising Requiem. Verdi poured all his skill in depicting the extremes of human emotion into his Requiem. There is violence in the ‘Dies Irae’, power and grandeur in the ‘Tuba Mirum’, heralded by eight trumpets. Joyful praise resounds in the Riccardo Muti © Todd Rosenberg ‘Sanctus’, a brilliant double fugue, and the ‘Agnus Dei’ opens with a spine-tingling unaccompanied duet for the soprano and © Camilla Greenwell alto soloists. Only a handful of people have had the privilege of being Principal Conductor of Become a Friend the Philharmonia. Succeeding Otto Klemperer, Muti was at the helm from 1972 to 1982. One of the world’s leading interpreters of Join the Philharmonia family for as little Become a Friend today for a year of Verdi, his much-anticipated return is one as £5 a month and get: discovery and inspiration. Or get fifteen of the highlights of the Orchestra’s

months for the price of twelve when you 75th anniversary year. Anita Rachvelishvili © Dario Acosta • Priority booking for the upcoming season join using Direct Debit. Philharmonia Chamber • Opportunities to meet musicians philharmonia.co.uk/friends Players • Access to open rehearsals 020 7921 3906 — [email protected] 6pm, Royal Festival Hall • Private Friends’ Bar at Philharmonia concerts Free, no ticket required • Invitations to exclusive events

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Christmas at Grand Christmas Esa-Pekka Salonen the Movies Classics conducts Sibelius Sunday 13 December 2020, 3pm Sunday 13 December 2020, 7pm Thursday 4 February 2021, 7.30pm Programme includes music from: GRUBER Silent Night Esa-Pekka Salonen – conductor Elf TCHAIKOVSKY The Nutcracker Suite Yefim Bronfman – piano E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial JOHN RUTTER Candlelight Carol ANNA THORVALDSDOTTIR Metacosmos Home Alone VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Fantasia on BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 Love Actually Christmas Carols SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2 The Snowman WILBERG arr. Joy to the World White Christmas Salonen has conducted most of Sibelius’s major Plus carols for all: It’s a Wonderful Life orchestral works during his time as Principal God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen The Polar Express Conductor of the Philharmonia. As he prepares O Come, All Ye Faithful Miracle on 34th Street to hand over the baton at the end of this Hark! The Herald Angels Sing The Nightmare Before Christmas season, he revisits the sweeping soundscapes The First Nowell and many more festive favourites of the Second Symphony. Known above Good King Wenceslas all for the power and grandeur of its finale, Don’t stay Home Alone this Christmas. Away in a Manger the symphony has many more distinctive Join us for a magical afternoon of Start your Christmas celebrations with this moments. Christmas treats at this concert of timeless wonderful selection of carols and classics. classics stuffed full of greatmusic from Yefim Bronfman’s larger-than-life virtuosity Yefim Bronfman © Dario Acosta your favourite festive films. and natural warmth make him a favourite with audiences worldwide, and he and Salonen are These two concerts are presented in partnership frequent concert partners. For tonight’s concert with Raymond Gubbay Ltd. They do not qualify they have chosen Beethoven’s masterful Piano for subscription discounts. See page 39 for Concerto No. 3, featuring one of his dreamiest ticket prices. slow movements.

Metacosmos, by Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, has been described as “a rumbling, shimmering sound sculpture that completely envelops and astonishes” (NPR Music). Premiered by Esa-Pekka Salonen

© Camilla Greenwell in New York in 2018, and since heard at the BBC Proms, it is already well on its way to becoming a 21st-century classic.

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Origin Stories: Dreamers and Adventurers Mendelssohn and Friends Strauss’s Elektra Thursday 11 February 2021, 7.30pm Thursday 18 February 2021, 7.30pm Sunday 7 February 2021, 7.30pm Rafael Payare – conductor Laurence Equilbey – conductor Alisa Weilerstein – cello Sunwook Kim – piano Esa-Pekka Salonen – conductor Iréne Theorin – soprano: Elektra STRAUSS Don Quixote WEBER Oberon Overture Lise Davidsen – soprano: Chrysothemis BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique SCHUMANN Piano Concerto Anna Larsson – mezzo-soprano: Klytemnestra MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 4 (Italian) Two masterpieces of musical storytelling Alan Oke – tenor: Aegisth form this evening’s programme. “This is Italy!... And I am loving it... thank you, Peixin Chen – baritone: Orest dear parents, for having given me all this Philharmonia Voices Cellist Alisa Weilerstein, acclaimed worldwide happiness”: The European tour Mendelssohn for her mesmerising performances, takes the STRAUSS Elektra took in his early twenties was a rich source title role in Strauss’s Don Quixote. Cervantes’ of inspiration. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts Strauss’s operatic daydreaming knight and his long-suffering tour de force, a powerful insight into the sidekick Sancho Panza (represented by a One of its many musical fruits was his Fourth mind of a grieving daughter hell-bent quirky combination of viola, tenor tuba Symphony, full of southern warmth and on revenge. and bass clarinet) encounter vividly drawn exuberance. windmills, dragons and an army of sheep. The towering centrepiece of the Philharmonia’s Weber’s opera Oberon (another influence But most striking of all is Strauss’s Origin Stories: Greek Myth in Music series, on the young Mendelssohn) premiered at sympathetic portrayal of Don Quixote’s Elektra is an opera of searing emotional Covent Garden in 1826, and it was a triumph. Iréne Theorin © Chris Gloag wandering, idealistic mind. intensity. Strauss builds a complex The overture begins with the mysterious Insights Day: Origin Stories psychological portrait of a family shattered Berlioz tells of a very different hero in his call of a distant, magical horn. — by violence: Elektra herself obsessed with Symphonie fantastique – a barely-disguised Mendelssohn conducted several early 12-4pm, Level 5, Function avenging the death of her father Agamemnon; version of himself. An infatuated young artist performances of Robert Schumann’s beloved Room, Green Side, Royal her mother Klytemnestra haunted to the sees his beloved everywhere he turns. Piano Concerto, with Clara Schumann as Festival Hall brink of madness by her role in Agamemnon’s His opium-fuelled reveries soon turn to terrible the soloist. And Clara summed up its murder; her sister Chrysothemis desperate nightmares. A huge orchestra conjures up a The myths of the Ancient appeal: “how rich in invention, how interesting to escape this vortex of horror; and her whirling ball, a fearsome witches’ Sabbath, Greeks have been from the beginning to the end, how fresh and brother Orest destined to bring about its and Berlioz’s chilling vision of his a rich source for novelists, what a beautifully coherent whole.” bloody conclusion. own execution. playwrights, poets and composers over The title role is a huge challenge for the many centuries. soprano, who scarcely leaves the stage for the Join a panel of experts opera’s 100 minutes. Iréne Theorin takes it on to take an in-depth look with relish. In previous performances, “Theorin at their enduring relevance was nothing short of miraculous... a pillar of and creative power. artistic strength” (Classical Voice America).

Laurence Equilbey © Julien Mignot

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Music of Today: Music of Today: Tyshawn Sorey Víkingur Ólafsson Thursday 25 February 2021, 7.15pm Thursday 25 February 2021, 9pm Queen Elizabeth Hall Queen Elizabeth Hall Tyshawn Sorey – conductor; drums Víkingur Ólafsson – piano GEORGE LEWIS The Will to Adorn BENT SØRENSEN Papillons TYSHAWN SOREY Autoschediasms; (UK premiere of complete work) For Bill Dixon and A. Spencer Barefield EDMUND FINNIS New work for solo piano Composer. Performer. Pioneer. Enter Víkingur Ólafsson first rose to prominence the genre-crossing musical world of one of through two acclaimed albums, showcasing the America’s foremost musical polymaths. music of Philip Glass and JS Bach. This bold statement embracing the contemporary and 2018’s Autoschediasms is a totally improvised Gaspard the Fox © James Mayhew the traditional has served to build up a career piece. The music unfolds through the of immense versatility and an arresting style. Gaspard’s Foxtrot Recommended for ages 5+. conductor’s gestures, markers on paper and The performance lasts around 55 mins. the creative explorations between the In his Papillons trilogy, Sørensen’s veiled, Saturday 20 February 2021, 1pm and 3pm musicians themselves. dreamy musical voice spins three different Jonathan Dove’s music for Gaspard’s Foxtrot Queen Elizabeth Hall soundscapes around a single repeated was comissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra, For Bill Dixon and A. Spencer Barefield is piano part. Holly Mathieson – conductor Three Choirs Festival Association, Docklands a tribute to two jazz icons. Introspective Zeb Soanes – narrator Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and and subtle, the music spreads like British composer Edmund Finnis has been James Mayhew – live illustration Royal Scottish National Orchestra. whispers across the ensemble, led by commissioned to write a solo complement to the trumpet and electric guitar. Sørensen’s quintet. PROKOFIEV Peter and the Wolf These performances are presented in partnership JONATHAN DOVE Gaspard’s Foxtrot with Southbank Centre. They do not qualify To open the programme, Sorey has chosen (London premiere) for subscription discounts. See page 39 for the music of a fellow American trailblazer. ticket prices. Active as a trombonist and composer, Gaspard the Fox is a set of delightful children’s George Lewis has performed with the likes books about an urban fox and his relationship of Count Basie, Anthony Braxton and with other animals and humans in the city. Gil Evans. The latest book in the series, Gaspard’s Foxtrot, has been set to music by renowned These two concerts are part of Southbank composer Jonathan Dove. In this live show Centre's SoundState festival. They do not Gaspard’s adventures are narrated by the qualify for subscription discounts, but you save book’s author, Zeb Soanes, and brought to life when you book for both. See page 39 for on screen by its illustrator, James Mayhew. ticket prices. Víkingur Ólafsson © Ari Magg Alongside, enjoy a classic piece of musical See page 36 for more concerts in our storytelling, also narrated and drawn live Music of Today series. by Soanes and Mayhew, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.

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Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky Herreweghe conducts Prokofiev Symphony No. 5 Brahms Sunday 28 February 2021, 3pm Thursday 4 March 2021, 7.30pm Thursday 11 March 2021, 7.30pm Pablo Heras-Casado – conductor Han-Na Chang – conductor Philippe Herreweghe – conductor Simon Trpčeski – piano Daniel Lozakovich – violin Paul Lewis – piano PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 1 (Classical) SOFIA GUBAIDULINA Fairytale Poem BACH Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 2 TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1 SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 9 TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5 BRAHMS Symphony No. 4 Prokofiev and Shostakovich are at their most Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony would make Bach, Beethoven and Brahms – tonight’s playful in this evening’s programme, featuring many music-lovers’ top ten. Its dark, fateful programme brings together three giants in charismatic pianist Simon Trpčeski. mood only seems to heighten its appeal. the pantheon of classical music. The solemn clarinet motif of the opening, A cheery mood pervades the 15 minutes of Philippe Herreweghe is best known for his and the gorgeous horn melody of the Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony. Prokofiev crystal-clear interpretations of music from second movement, are among its many pays homage to Haydn in four movements the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. memorable moments. brimming with graceful melodies – with He begins with Bach’s third Brandenburg a distinctive twentieth-century twist. Tchaikovsky wrote his captivating Violin Concerto, a sparkling piece for small string Concerto in a much more positive frame of ensemble, full of intricacy and imagination. Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 was mind, on holiday with the young student he written as a graduation piece for his son Maxim. Han-Na Chang © Morten Krogvold Pianist Paul Lewis lives and breathes hoped would premiere it. Tonight it is in Its outer movements show off the soloist’s Beethoven. He is regarded as one of today’s the hands of 19-year-old Daniel Lozakovich. youthful energy and precision, while the central foremost exponents of his music. This concerto ‘He already plays like one of the greats’, wrote slow movement is a lyrical outpouring of love. showcases his virtuosity and eloquence. the Hamburger Abendblatt, and Le Figaro The Stalinist regime had great expectations of called him ‘an exceptional talent.’ Brahms looks back to the musical forms of Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony. “But I couldn’t Bach’s time in the finale of his last symphony. To open, Chang has chosen Sofia Gubaidulina’s write an apotheosis to Stalin, I simply It is a huge passacaglia, a set of variations Fairytale Poem. It dates from 1971, fourteen couldn’t,” he said. Instead he gave them a on a repeated bass pattern. This is masterful years before she was first allowed to leave symphony full of joie-de-vivre and sardonic music from a composer at the top of his game. the Soviet Union and Western audiences humour – which was promptly banned discovered her beguiling, atmospheric music. Philharmonia Chamber until after Stalin’s death. Players Music of Today: Pablo Heras-Casado © XXX — Bryce Dessner 6pm, Royal Festival Hall — 6pm, Purcell Room at Free, no ticket required Queen Elizabeth Hall Free, ticket required See page 36 for details

24 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 25 Our concerts

Santtu conducts Mahler: Symphony No. 1 Carmina Burana Thursday 25 March 2021, 7.30pm Sunday 21 March 2021, 3pm Juraj Valčuha – conductor Markus Werba – baritone Santtu-Matias Rouvali – conductor Mari Eriksmoen – soprano MAHLER Songs of a Wayfarer Brett Sprague – tenor MAHLER Symphony No. 1 Marcus Farnsworth – baritone “Sometimes it sends shivers down my spine… Philharmonia Chorus Damn it all, where do people keep their

SHOSTAKOVICH Suite for Variety Orchestra Philharmonia Orchestra © Camilla Greenwell ears and their hearts if they can’t hear that?” (Jazz Suite No. 2) So wrote Gustav Mahler to his wife Alma ORFF Carmina Burana after conducting a performance of his First Symphony. With their focus on uninhibited enjoyment of life’s pleasures, it’s hard to believe that the The shivers begin with the opening of the works in tonight’s programme were composed first movement, barely audible high notes on under two of the twentieth century’s most the violins blooming into a lush evocation oppressive regimes. of a spring dawn. Then there’s the poignant minor-key version of Frère Jacques, played by In mid-1930s Germany, Carl Orff took a the basses, that opens the third movement. collection of 13th-century poems and created In between, there’s music that seems to have Juraj Valčuha © Rai/Romano a sonic spectacle of a cantata. Choir, soloists escaped from a Jewish wedding, a Viennese and a huge orchestra tell of the joys and café and an Alpine village dance. All this leads perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling to an epic finale, with an ending so life-affirming and lust, and, in the roof-raising ‘O Fortuna’, that the horn section can’t stay sitting down. the fickleness of fortune. Mahler borrowed several of the themes in the In late-1950s Russia, Shostakovich assembled symphony from an earlier work, a cycle of four music from several of his scores for the stage songs that many consider his first masterpiece. and screen into the Suite for Variety Orchestra, The wayfarer of the title grieves for lost better known in the West as Jazz Suite No. 2. love, before finding consolation and healing in Saxophones, guitar and accordion, and a nature. Tonight’s soloist is Austrian baritone delightful succession of hummable tunes, give Markus Werba, a Royal Opera House regular the orchestra a distinctive dance-hall flavour. Santtu-Matias Rouvali © Camilla Greenwell whose great-grandfather was a friend of Insights Talk: Santtu Gustav Mahler himself. introduces this afternoon’s programme — 1.30pm, The Clore Balroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall Free, no ticket required

26 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 27 Our concerts

Joshua Bell plays Brahms Leonidas Kavakos: Hrůša conducts Beethoven Sunday 11 April 2021, 7.30pm Beethoven and Szymanowski Lahav Shani – conductor Thursday 15 April 2021, 7.30pm Sunday 18 April 2021, 3pm Joshua Bell – violin Leonidas Kavakos – conductor; violin Jakub Hrůša – conductor BRAHMS Violin Concerto Lisa Batiashvili – violin BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto BRUCKNER Symphony No. 4 (Romantic) BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7 FRANCK Le Chasseur maudit Joshua Bell is one of the world’s finest SZYMANOWSKI Violin Concerto No. 1 Leonidas Kavakos recorded Beethoven’s Violin violinists. He joins the Orchestra and brilliant BRAHMS Symphony No. 2 Concerto in 2019, and is touring the world young conductor Lahav Shani, to perform Joshua Bell © Phillip Knott playing and directing it in the 2020/21 season, After struggling for years with his First a pinnacle of the violin repertoire. to mark the composer’s 250th anniversary. Symphony, Brahms wrote his Second on The first movement of Brahms’s Violin Concerto a summer holiday beside an Austrian lake. “This is my tribute to the master... this huge brims with melodies of such spontaneity and He sent the score to a friend, who wrote back: mind and huge heart, who gave us such freshness that they almost feel improvised. “It is all rippling streams, blue sky, sunshine, incredible music,” he says. The second opens with a gorgeously serene and cool green shadows.” The gentle melody theme, played by the oboe and then taken up One of today’s most respected musicians, of Brahms’s Wiegenlied (Lullaby) flows by the violin. And the third has a fiery Kavakos is at the height of his powers through the first movement. Peace pervades Hungarian flavour, demanding the perfect as a violinist and increasingly in demand as the central movements too, and the finale balance of precision and freedom, energy a conductor. He pairs Beethoven’s glorious radiates a joyful energy. and expressiveness from the soloist. Violin Concerto, a work he plays with “silvery Polish composer Karol Szymanowski threw agility and resonant warmth” (Boston Globe), Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 is an equally Leonidas Kavakos © Marco Borggreve out the Romantic rule-book when he with the Seventh Symphony. A favourite with thrilling musical experience. Written when wrote his First Violin Concerto in 1916. It’s Beethoven himself, this piece has entranced Bruckner was 50, it was his first major success a continuous 25-minute poem, rapturous listeners ever since its first performance. as an orchestral composer, and has been a and ecstatic violin writing accompanied by From the melancholy grandeur of the slow gateway to his music for many listeners since. delicate, impressionistic orchestration. movement to the swirling energy of the finale, It opens with a magical evocation of daybreak, Lisa Batiashvili’s “pure, gorgeous tone and every moment of this masterpiece confirms announced by a lone horn, and paints fabulous technique” (New York Times) are the Beethoven’s command of his art. a succession of scenes from the Austrian perfect match for this shimmering jewel of countryside Bruckner loved. MMSF Young Artists’ Recital the violin repertoire. — Philharmonia Chamber To open the evening, Hrůša has chosen Franck’s 6pm, Royal Festival Hall Players lively tone-poem telling the story of a nobleman — Free, no ticket required who defies God by going hunting on a Sunday. Lisa Batiashvili © Chris Singer 6pm, Royal Festival Hall Free, no ticket required

28 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 29 Our concerts

Rachmaninov: A Feast of Elgar Santtu conducts Symphony No. 2 Thursday 29 April 2021, 7.30pm Tchaikovsky’s Sunday 25 April 2021, 3pm Elim Chan – conductor Fourth Symphony Pablo Ferrández – cello John Wilson – conductor Thursday 6 May 2021, 7.30pm Benjamin Beilman – violin ELGAR Cockaigne Overture (In London Town) Santtu-Matias Rouvali – conductor ELGAR Cello Concerto LYADOV The Enchanted Lake Carlos Ferreira – clarinet ELGAR Enigma Variations GLAZUNOV Violin Concerto BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2 RACHMANINOV Symphony No. 2 Since her Philharmonia debut in 2017, Elim MOZART Clarinet Concerto Chan has cemented her place as a favourite Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony is widely TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4 with musicians and audiences alike. She is considered one of his best works. The stormy joined by Pablo Ferrández, a cellist with Beethoven’s Second Symphony stands on the horn motif that opens the second movement, “pop-idol magnetism, superb technique and cusp, where Classical poise and grace meet and the long, singing clarinet theme of the exhilarating musicality” (LA Times) in Elgar’s a more personal and passionate Romantic third, are just two of the symphony’s many beloved Cello Concerto. sensibility. Composed in Heiligenstadt in 1802, memorable moments. the symphony’s confident tone belies In contrast to the concerto’s profound beauty, A student of Rimsky-Korsakov, Glazunov’s Beethoven’s struggle to come to terms the evening opens with Elgar’s cheerful music combines his teacher’s mastery of with his advancing deafness. portrayal of bustling Edwardian London. orchestral colour with a gift for melody The composer himself described his overture Tchaikovsky’s Fourth, on the other hand, worthy of Tchaikovsky, and an unmistakable as “stout and steaky... honest, healthy, is a product of Romanticism at its height. Carlos Ferreira © Daniel Delang Russian spirit. His exuberant Violin Concerto humorous and strong”. A portentous horn fanfare opens its has no numbered movements, but flows forty spellbinding minutes, bursting with from one section to another with an air The Enigma Variations, Elgar’s tribute to deceptively simple melodies that become of freedom and spontaneity. his closest friends, crowns the programme. the building blocks for high emotional drama. From the tender grace of the first variation, Lyadov was another of Rimsky-Korsakov’s representing his beloved wife Alice, to the At the heart of the programme is Mozart’s students. His short tone-poem The Enchanted solemn grandeur of ‘Nimrod’, and other wonderful Clarinet Concerto, composed for Lake, subtitled ‘a fairy tale scene’, shimmers character sketches full of warmth and humour, his friend and sometime gambling companion with a sense of quiet mystery. this is the work that launched Elgar on the Anton Stadler. “Truly your instrument has so Insights Talk: John Wilson road to national treasure status. soft and lovely a tone that nobody with a heart discusses this afternoon’s could resist it,” wrote Mozart. And surely he Philharmonia Chamber programme would have said the same of the Philharmonia’s Players Pablo Ferrández © Igor + STUDIO — Co-Principal Clarinet Carlos Ferreira. — 1.30pm, The Clore Balroom, 6pm, Royal Festival Hall Music of Today: Level 2, Royal Festival Hall Programme to be confirmed Free, no ticket required Free, no ticket required — 6pm, Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall Free, ticket required

30 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 31 Our concerts

Bartók and Strauss: An evening with James Origin Stories: Daphnis Dances of Desire Newton Howard and Chloé Saturday 15 May 2021, 7.30pm Friday 4 June 2021, 7.30pm Thursday 10 June 2021, 7.30pm Jakub Hrůša – conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen – conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen – conductor Malin Byström – soprano: Salome James Newton Howard – conductor Philharmonia Voices Susan Bickley – mezzo-soprano: Herodias Violinist to be confirmed RAMEAU Castor and Pollux Suite Peter Hoare – tenor: Herod Andrew Shulman – cello SALONEN Gemini (European premiere) Philharmonia Voices JAMES NEWTON HOWARD Concerto for Violin RAVEL Daphnis and Chloé (complete ballet) BARTÓK The Miraculous Mandarin (European premiere); Concerto for Cello In his final London concert as Principal (complete ballet) (European premiere); music from film Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra, STRAUSS Salome (Dance of the Seven Veils soundtracks, to include highlights from Esa-Pekka Salonen completes his survey and closing scenes) The Hunger Games; Fantastic Beasts; of musical retellings of Greek myths. M. Night Shyamalan films; Snow Falling The two works in tonight’s programme He contrasts works by two French composers on Cedars demonstrate music’s power to seduce, who lived two centuries apart, and new to disturb, and to shock. James Newton Howard composed his first music of his own. film score in 1985. Over 120 films later, with The premiere of the ballet The Miraculous Castor and Pollux are twins: one is human, a Grammy, an Emmy and eight Academy Award Mandarin caused an uproar. It’s a lurid tale of the other immortal. And both are in love with nominations under his belt, he’s as busy prostitution, fraud, theft and murder, with a the same woman. Rameau’s suite from his 1737 as ever. “From the first cue I wrote, I was Esa-Pekka Salonen © Minna Hatinen, Finnish National Opera and Ballet glowing ghost thrown in for good measure. opera is made up of expressive incidental absolutely in heaven... I’d really found what music and elegant courtly dances. Salonen’s Strauss’s Salome plumbs even greater depths I could do best. And I literally haven’t stopped Passing the baton own Gemini consists of two short pieces, of depravity. Tonight’s concert performance since.” He joins the Philharmonia to conduct a Esa-Pekka Salonen has “independent but genetically linked”. of the second half of the opera begins with selection of highlights from his film scores. been part of the life of the He describes Pollux as “slow and quite dark”, the infamous Dance of the Seven Veils. More recently, Newton Howard has composed Philharmonia since he whereas Castor is “extroverted and quite fast”. Overcome by lust, King Herod has promised several works for the concert hall. His Violin stepped in at short notice his stepdaughter Salome anything she The story of Daphnis and Chloé, taken from a Concerto is a lyrical, elegiac work. British cellist to conduct in Mahler’s desires if she will dance for him. She agrees, second-century novel, is another examination Andrew Shulman, a former member of the Symphony No. 3, way and demands the head of the prophet of the trials of love. Commissioned by Diaghilev Philharmonia, is the soloist in the Cello back in 1983. John the Baptist. Strauss deploys a huge for the Ballets Russes, Ravel’s ballet music Concerto, which he premiered in spring 2019. orchestra to create overwhelming waves This concert marks the end is widely considered his finest masterpiece. of sound – erotic, powerful, violent. Swedish Music of Today: of Esa-Pekka’s remarkable Rich, imaginative orchestral textures soprano Malin Byström was “sensational” Composers’ Academy 13-season tenure as Principal transport the listener to a magical world of (Bachtrack) in the title role at the Royal — Conductor & Artistic Advisor. shepherdesses, goatherds, gods – and pirates. Opera House in 2018. 6pm, Royal Festival Hall He signs off with a typically fascinating programme, Free, no ticket required culminating in a true masterpiece, loved by both conductor and orchestra. Thank you, EP.

32 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 33 Our concerts

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius Friday 25 June 2021, 7.30pm David Hill – conductor Kitty Whately – soprano Andrew Staples – tenor Neal Davies – bass The Bach Choir

ELGAR The Dream of Gerontius © Marina Vidor

Cardinal Newman's poem The Dream of Gerontius tells the story of an old man’s experience of death and his soul’s journey towards God. The poem was a well-known and much-loved work in its own right by the time Elgar came to set it to music in 1900. From it he created his greatest choral work – if not the greatest by any English composer. Writing for two choirs, orchestra, organ, and soloists, Elgar composed music that seemed to come from the depths of his © Marina Vidor own soul – he inscribed the score A.M.D.G. (Ad maiorem Dei gloriam), ‘To the greater glory of God’. Follow us on Acclaimed British tenor Andrew Staples sings YouTube the moving title role, and Kitty Whately is the Our YouTube channel had Angel who supports him on his journey. over 4 million views last year. Dive into the most This concert is presented in partnership comprehensive classical with The Bach Choir. It does not qualify for music channel on the subscription discounts. See page 39 internet. We have 500 films for ticket prices. to choose from – interviews, documentaries, listening guides and instrument films.

Royal Festival Hall © Beth Walsh

34 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 35 Music of Today Bryce Dessner Thursday 4 March 2021, 6pm Anna Thorvaldsdottir Purcell Room at Queen Elisabeth Hall Thursday 29 October, 2020, 6pm Robin O’Neill – conductor Purcell Room at Queen Elisabeth Hall BRYCE DESSNER The Forest, for cello Conductor to be confirmed ensemble; Lachrimae, for strings SKY MACKLAY Microvariations Dessner’s music draws on many ideas and (European premiere) influences, from his song-writing as part of rock ANNA THORVALDSDOTTIR Aequilibria Tyshawn Sorey © John Rogers band The National to his work on film scores (UK premiere); Hrím (UK premiere) including The Revenant and The Two Popes. The ethereal world of Thorvaldsdottir’s Tyshawn Sorey Tonight’s programme features two works that Aequilibria is inspired by the harmony she explore his relationship to the music of past Thursday 25 February 2021, 7.15pm finds in nature, creating a meditative composers. Queen Elizabeth Hall mood that grows and contracts like calm, In The Forest, Dessner reflects on and renews deep breaths. Tyshawn Sorey – conductor; drums the poignant harmonies of early polyphonic In Hrím, sound fragments appear and GEORGE LEWIS The Will to Adorn music, inspired by 12th-century French gradually disperse across the ensemble to TYSHAWN SOREY Autoschediasms; composer Pérotin. create a dark but shimmering landscape. For Bill Dixon and A. Spencer Barefield In Lachrimae, Dessner was influenced both by To open, Macklay’s Microvariations is a playful Tickets: £10, £15 John Dowland’s piece of the same name and fantasy on instrument tuning, filled with by the powerful rhythms of Bartók’s music Bryce Dessner © Anne Mie Dreves See page 23 for more details humour and irreverence. for strings. Open your ears Free, ticket required Víkingur Ólafsson Free, ticket required Discover the voices of Thursday 25 February 2021, 9pm the 21st century. Join us Queen Elizabeth Hall Composer’s Academy for these performances Friday 4 June 2021, 6pm Víkingur Ólafsson – piano curated by our Principal Royal Festival Hall Conductor and Artistic BENT SØRENSEN Papillons Conductor to be confirmed Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen, (UK premiere of complete work) presenting the work of EDMUND FINNIS New work Hear world premieres by three emerging artists who are defining composers in the culminating concert of the Tickets: £10, £15 the future of music. Philharmonia Orchestra's Composers' Academy. See page 23 for more details Free and unticketed Anna Thorvaldsdottir © Michela Zanoni These two concerts are part of Southbank Centre’s SoundState festival. Book for both and get the second half price (offer available through the Philharmonia box office only).

36 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 37 Buying your tickets

How do I book? How much does it cost? Subscription Concerts Premium Price 1 Price 2 Price 3 Price 4 Price 5 Seats Online You can come and listen to 80+ world-class Book online and choose your own seats musicians from just £12. All concerts £58 £45 £36 £28 £19 £12 at philharmonia.co.uk (£1.75 transaction unless otherwise stated Our cheapest tickets give you a choice between fee) or southbankcentre.co.uk (£3.50 the back of the balcony, where you get a full Verdi’s Requiem £72 £58 £46 £35 £25 £16 transaction fee*). blended sound and a bird’s eye view of the 10 Dec 2020, 7.30pm Phone whole orchestra; the back of the rear stalls; Strauss's Elektra £72 £58 £46 £35 £25 £16 Book over the phone using our Freephone the side stalls, close to the action; or the choir 7 Feb 2021, 7.30pm number, 0800 652 6717 (Monday – Friday, stalls (behind the orchestra), great for 9.30am – 5.30pm, £2.75 transaction fee), watching the conductor. Non-subscription Concerts or call the Southbank Centre on The best seats in the house are in the middle 020 3879 9555 (£4 transaction fee*). of the front stalls (ground floor), in the centre, Christmas at the Movies £50 £42.50 £36.50 £29.50 £22.50 £19.50 In person or for concerts that include a piano concerto, 13 Dec 2020, 3pm Book in person at the Southbank Centre, on the side with a view of the keyboard. Grand Christmas Classics £49.50 £39.50 £32.50 £29.50 £19.50 £16.50 10am – 8pm daily (no transaction fee). And almost all our Music of Today and 13 Dec 2020, 7pm *No transaction fees for Southbank Centre Philharmonia Chamber Players concerts Gaspard's Foxtrot – £12 £9 50% off for under-18s Members and Supporters Circles. are free – see page 35 for details. 20 Feb 2021, 1pm & 3pm Click ‘Book Now’ on any concert page Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius – £55 £45 £32 £20 £12 on our website to see a seat map. 25 June 2021, 7.30pm See page 40 for ways to save money on Music of Today Free, ticket required for Queen Elizabeth Hall your tickets. unless otherwise stated and Purcell Room Concerts We reserve the right to change seat prices Music of Today – £15 £10 Book for both 25 Feb in line with demand. 25 Feb 2021, 7.15pm Concerts and get the second half price (only available via Music of Today – £15 £10 What if I can’t make it? the Philharmonia box office) 25 Feb 2021, 9pm You can return your tickets up to 48 hours before a concert. We will send you a Philharmonia Free, no ticket required credit voucher valid for a year. There is an Chamber Players administration fee of £1 per ticket for returns. Insights Events

Insights Free, no ticket required Talks Origin Stories: Insights Day £25 / £15 with a ticket for Elektra 7 Feb 2021, 12 noon – 4pm

38 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 39 More music for less Thank you

The Philharmonia Orchestra is a registered To find out more about how you can support us, Subscribe and save Other concessions charity. We depend on generous support please visit philharmonia.co.uk/support or Make great live music a habit – book three or A limited allocation of half-price tickets is from companies, grant-making organisations call 020 7921 3903. more concerts in the same transaction and available through the Philharmonia box office and individuals to create thrilling musical get a subscription discount: for recipients of Universal or Pension Credit. experiences for as many people as possible. Through the Southbank Centre’s Ticket Office, 3 – 5 concerts 10% off Core Funders Residency Partners a limited allocation of 25% off tickets is 6 – 8 concerts 15% off available for the same groups. 9 – 11 concerts 20% off The Philharmonia Trust 12 – 14 concerts 25% off People who need a carer to attend with 15 or more concerts 30% off them can book two seats for the price of one. The Philharmonia Orchestra in Bedford Trust Wheelchair spaces are available in the stalls, Families and young people side stalls and boxes. Call the Philharmonia Corporate Partners box office on 0800 652 6717 to book. Children aged 7 and over are welcome at all our concerts. Tickets for under-18s are £8 (£6 in the lowest price band areas), through Ringside Seats the Philharmonia website and box office only. Never been to an orchestral You can book a maximum of four 18-and-under concert before? Tried it, loved Corporate Members tickets per transaction, and they are only it, and wish you could afford to F. Williams (Bedford) Ltd. Pick Everard R. H. Amar & Co. Ltd. available through the Philharmonia website come more often? Hoping to and box office. persuade your friends to give it Orchestra Partners a go? Want to be right up close This price is not available on Premium seats Michael Brindle, QC Robert Fleming Hannay Edwin Fox to the action? Our £10 Ringside and Mrs Alison Brindle Memorial Charity Foundation or Christmas concerts, and subscription Seats are for you. discounts do not apply. Check out philharmonia.co.uk/ The Nathan Family The Laurence Modiano Charitable Trust Students ringside.

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40 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 41 Calendar

Key: p. 12 Thu 5 Nov 2020, 7.30pm p. 21 Thu 11 Feb 2021, 7.30pm p. 29 Thu 15 Apr 2021, 7.30pm GERSHWIN, RAVEL & WALTON STRAUSS & BERLIOZ Payare / Weilerstein BEETHOVEN Kavakos Philharmonia at 75 Wilson / Schwizgebel / Smiljanić / MMSF Young Artists’ Recital,

Origin Stories: Greek Myth in Music Philharmonia Voices / p. 21 Thu 18 Feb 2021, 7.30pm 6pm, Free

Crouch End Festival Chorus WEBER, SCHUMANN & MENDELSSOHN Sunday Matinees MMSF Young Artists’ Recital, 6pm, Free Equilbey / Kim p. 29 Sun 18 Apr 2021, 3pm

Beethoven 250 FRANCK, SZYMANOWSKI & BRAHMS

p. 13 Thu 12 Nov 2020, 7.30pm p. 22 Sat 20 Feb 2021, 1pm & 3pm Hrůša / Batiashvili Brahms Symphonies GRIEG, SIBELIUS & RACHMANINOV PROKOFIEV & DOVE Mathieson /

Chan / Khachatryan Soanes / Mayhew p. 30 Sun 25 Apr 2021, 3pm Insights Talk, 6pm, Free LYADOV, GLAZUNOV &

p. 23 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 7.15pm RACHMANINOV

p. 14 Thu 19 Nov 2020, 7.30pm LEWIS & SOREY Sorey Wilson / Beilman

BEETHOVEN tbc / Weithaas / Hecker / Insights Talk, 1.30pm, Free p. 8 Thu 24 Sep 2020, 7.30pm Helmchen p. 23 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 9pm

BEETHOVEN & SCRIABIN Salonen / SØRENSEN & FINNIS Ólafsson p. 30 Thu 29 Apr 2021, 7.30pm

Wang / Philharmonia Voices p. 15 Sun 29 Nov 2020, 7.30pm ELGAR Chan / Ferrández

Insights Talk, 6pm, Free BRUCKNER Blomstedt p. 24 Sun 28 Feb 2021, 3pm Philharmonia Chamber Players,

Philharmonia Chamber Players, 6pm, Free PROKOFIEV & SHOSTAKOVICH 6pm, Free p. 9 Sun 27 Sep 2020, 7.30pm Heras-Casado / Trpčeski

BRAHMS Dohnányi / Helmchen p. 15 Sun 6 Dec 2020, 3pm p. 31 Thu 6 May 2021, 7.30pm

GRIEG & SIBELIUS Berglund / Gimse p. 25 Thu 4 Mar 2021, 7.30pm BEETHOVEN, MOZART & p. 9 Thu 1 Oct 2020, 7.30pm GUBAIDULINA & TCHAIKOVSKY TCHAIKOVSKY

DVOŘÁK & RACHMANINOV p. 17 Thu 10 Dec 2020, 7.30pm Chang / Lozakovich Rouvali / Ferreira tbc / Kozhukhin VERDI Muti / Grigorian / Rachvelishvili / Music of Today: Bryce Dessner, 6pm, Free Music of Today: tbc, 6pm, Free

Meli / Zanellato / Philharmonia Chorus p. 10 Sun 11 Oct 2020, 7.30pm Philharmonia Chamber Players, 6pm, Free p. 25 Thu 11 Mar 2021, 7.30pm p. 32 Sat 15 May 2021, 7.30pm BRITTEN & BARBER Hrůša / Faust BACH, BEETHOVEN & BRAHMS BARTÓK & STRAUSS Hrůša / Byström / Insights Talk, 6pm, Free p. 18 Sun 13 Dec 2020, 3pm Herreweghe / Lewis Bickley / Hoare / Philharmonia Voices Christmas at the Movies Philharmonia Chamber Players, 6pm, Free p. 10 Thu 15 Oct 2020, 7.30pm p. 32 Fri 4 Jun 2021, 7.30pm

SCHMIDT, MOZART & MAHLER p. 18 Sun 13 Dec 2020, 7pm p. 26 Sun 21 Mar 2021, 3pm NEWTON HOWARD Järvi / Lisiecki Grand Christmas Classics SHOSTAKOVICH & ORFF Rouvali / Salonen / Newton Howard / Eriksmoen / Sprague / Farnsworth / tbc / Shulman p. 11 Sun 25 Oct 2020, 3pm p. 19 Thu 4 Feb 2021, 7.30pm Philharmonia Chorus Music of Today: Composers’ Academy, R SCHUMANN, C SCHUMANN & BRAHMS THORVALDSDOTTIR, BEETHOVEN & Insights Talk, 1.30pm, Free 6pm, Free Gaffigan / Kanneh-Mason SIBELIUS Salonen / Bronfman

p. 27 Thu 25 Mar 2021, 7.30pm p. 33 Thu 10 Jun 2021, 7.30pm p. 12 Thu 29 Oct 2020, 7.30pm p. 20 Sun 7 Feb 2021, 7.30pm MAHLER Valčuha / Werba RAMEAU, SALONEN & RAVEL

BEETHOVEN & SHOSTAKOVICH STRAUSS Salonen / Theorin / Salonen / Philharmonia Voices

Rouvali / Vogt Davidsen / Larsson / Oke / Chen / p. 28 Sun 11 Apr 2021, 7.30pm

Music of Today: Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Philharmonia Voices BRAHMS & BRUCKNER Shani / Bell p. 34 Fri 25 Jun 2021, 7.30pm 6pm, Free Insights Day, 12 noon – 4pm Philharmonia Chamber Players, 6pm, Free ELGAR Hill / The Bach Choir

42 philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717 43 Adventures in music London Season 2020/21 Esa-Pekka Salonen Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor

Tickets: philharmonia.co.uk 0800 652 6717

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