The Philharmonia Orchestra is a London-based symphony orchestra founded in 1945 by EMI producer Walter Legge, originally as a recording ensemble. Over eight decades it has built a reputation as one of the world's leading orchestras, with past principal conductors including Herbert von Karajan, Otto Klemperer, Riccardo Muti and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Since 2021 it has been led by Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali - only the sixth person to hold that title in the orchestra's history - and is resident at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in London.
The Philharmonia Orchestra announced the first half of its 2026/27 London season, featuring premieres by Taylor Mac and Julia Wolfe alongside works by Dvořák, Bruckner and Brahms, with Featured Artists Sol Gabetta and Nobuyuki Tsujii.
The Philharmonia launched its 80th anniversary 2025/26 season, introducing the 'Philharmonia Social' initiative offering 80 free tickets for first-time attendees at every London concert.
The orchestra completed a major 10-date 80th birthday tour of the United States, culminating in two performances at Carnegie Hall in New York with Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop.
The 2025/26 season named Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson as Featured Artist and Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz - a 2025 Grammy winner - as Featured Composer.
The Philharmonia launched its own record label, Philharmonia Records, releasing live recordings of major works by Strauss, Mahler and Stravinsky conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
Concert featuring Lukas Sternath and the Philharmonia Orchestra at Dortmund's concert hall.
Classical music concert with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Santtu Matias Rouvali and featuring soloist Lukas Sternath at Kölner Philharmonie.