Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

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About the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is a British symphony orchestra founded in 1946 by Sir Thomas Beecham. They are renowned for performing classical masterpieces and their versatility with different genres. In 2004, the RPO established their first permanent London home at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea.

In addition to their regular concert series at Cadogan Hall, the RPO also holds annual performances at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, showcasing works by composers like Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. The orchestra furthers their reach with popular programmes at the Royal Albert Hall, including performances of iconic film scores such as Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and Indiana Jones.

In 1986, the RPO launched RPO Records, claimed to be “the world’s first record label owned by a symphony orchestra.” The label’s catalogue spans classical symphonies, Tchaikovsky ballet scores, film music, light music by composers like Burt Bacharach and Richard Rodgers, and even crossover albums like ‘Symphonic Rock’, which blends classic rock anthems with orchestral arrangements.

The RPO has toured extensively across the UK as part of its regional programme and internationally in Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and the United States since 2010. In 2019, the Royal Albert Hall named the RPO its official associate orchestra under a five-year partnership.

In November 2022, the RPO performed three of Igor Stravinsky’s masterpieces - The Rite of Spring, The Firebird, and Petrushka - in a live recording at the BBC Television Centre. The following year, select orchestra members participated in the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Who are the leading conductors in the RPO?

The RPO has a team of celebrated conductors, including Vasily Petrenko (Music Director), Pinchas Zukerman (Principal Guest Conductor), Alexander Shelley (Principal Associate Conductor) and Grzegorz Nowak (Permanent Associate Conductor).

What is the difference between a chamber orchestra and a philharmonic orchestra?

Historically, chamber orchestra means a reduced or smaller orchestra, often without wind/brass instruments. Philharmonic orchestra is used almost interchangeably with symphonies and features a fuller orchestra with wind, brass, and percussion.

How many concerts does the RPO play each year?

The RPO performs around 200 concerts each season, with a worldwide audience of more than 60 million people.

What film & TV scores have the RPO recorded?

The RPO’s film scores include The Red Shoes, The Tales of Hoffmann, Richard III, The Bridge on the River Kwai, and The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. The orchestra also rerecorded symphonic suites from Star Trek: The Original Series with Tony Bremner, released in 1985 under Label ‘X’.