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 worked with conductors from Herbert von Karajan and Otto Klemperer to Riccardo Muti, building a reputation as one of Britain's foremost orchestras. Since 2021 its principal conductor has been the Finnish Santtu-Matias Rouvali, and Marin Alsop joined as principal guest conductor in 2023.
The Philharmonia announced the first half of its 2026/27 London season, opening on 24 September 2026 with Rouvali conducting Dvořák, Brahms and Elgar with cellist Sol Gabetta.
The orchestra unveiled its full 80th-birthday season (2025/26), including a major US tour - the first with Rouvali and Alsop together - culminating in two Carnegie Hall performances.
As part of its 80th-birthday season, the Philharmonia launched 'Philharmonia Social', offering 80 free tickets for first-time attendees at every London concert in 2025/26.
The 2025/26 season features pianist Víkingur Ólafsson as Featured Artist and Grammy-winner Gabriela Ortiz as Featured Composer.
The Philharmonia launched an immersive VR experience aimed at young audiences, alongside plans to expand its schools programme Orchestra Unwrapped to 80 UK schools in 2025/26.
festival(9 days)
An international classical music festival featuring Finnish orchestras and artists alongside the London Philharmonia Orchestra.
concert18:00Philharmonia Orchestra performs at Helsinki Music Hall under conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali with pianist Gabriela Montero. The programme includes the Finnish premiere of Montero's Latin Concerto and Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3.