The Latest Breaking News from Philharmonia

Fire in My Mouth review – Wolfe’s multimedia oratorio tells its tragic story with focus and power

Marin Alsop, the Philharmonia and three outstanding choirs gave the London premiere of Wolfe’s work about the deaths of 146 workers in a New York garment factory fire in 1911

The Guardian - UK · Sep 23

‘Will I screw this up?’ How I played timpani for the Philharmonia Orchestra – with no experience

He hasn’t seen the score and can’t actually play his instrument. But with the help of a virtual headset, our writer joins the revered orchestra for the rollicking finale of Rossini’s William Tell Overture

The Guardian - UK · Sep 7

Forged in Sound: Heavy Metal Orchestrated review – hard-rocking mashup rides the lightning

Suzi Quatro, Mr Lordi and Alison Mosshart joined the Philharmonia in a setlist spanning Wagner and Metallica – with conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali flexing his rock-drummer skills

The Guardian - UK · Apr 23

Battle of the Sexes review – tennis’s most famous match becomes kitschy, pacey opera

Tenor Nicky Spence was the comic ringleader in this all-singing all-dancing Hollywood-ready work that was anything but subtle

The Guardian - UK · Nov 21, 2025

Philharmonia/ Rouvali/ Ólafsson review – orchestra opens 80th celebrations with sparkle and style

Víkingur Ólafsson’s Beethoven was clear, contemplative and witty, in a concert that also featured Olivier Latry at the mighty RFH organ and a UK premiere from Gabriela Ortiz

The Guardian - UK · Sep 28, 2025

Järvi conducts Tüür and Stravinsky’s The Firebird review – brutality and balance from the Philharmonia

Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi kept the orchestra on its toes through the UK premiere of his countryman Erkki-Sven Tüür’s new cello concerto

The Guardian - UK · Feb 28, 2025

London Philharmonia violinist has 'priceless' instrument stolen from Canonbury pub by thief

David López Ibáñez, who plays in London’s prestigious Philharmonia Orchestra, said they were ‘devastated’ by theft of 300-year-old violin

Evening Standard · Feb 20, 2025

Philharmonia/Blomstedt review – the collective performance of a lifetime

The 97-year-old conductor led the Philharmonia – on exceptional form – in one of the finest performances of Mahler’s epic Ninth Symphony one is likely to hear.

The Guardian - UK · Nov 22, 2024

More endurance than you can shake a stick at: does conducting keep you young?

The 97-year-old Herbert Blomstedt is in London today to conduct the Philharmonia. He is one of a very long line of maestros working well into old age

The Guardian - UK · Nov 21, 2024

Lawrence Power/Philharmonia/Salonen review – commitment and virtuosity in works old and brand new

Two concerts, including the UK premiere of Magnus Lindberg’s fiercely challenging Viola Concerto, showcased the versatility and communicative skills of Lawrence Power

The Guardian - UK · Nov 11, 2024