Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 14h'Sun Sundered Head is structured as a sequence of interlocking sections in related tempi, that get progressively longer in duration and slower in tempo, until an extremely slow five-minute cadenza exactly halfway through the piece. After this halfway point, the process is reversed.' 120 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 14h'As well as being a cello concerto, Sun Sundered Head is an extended nocturne spanning a single night in an unnamed city, from dusk, to the dead of night, to dawn.' Read our new interview with composer Laurence Osborn: www.rpo.co.uk/stories/an-i... 140 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 08/10/2026Fire and ice with Sibelius, Vaughan Williams and Bacewicz❄️🔥🎻 Today we welcome to the stage both our Conductor-in-Residence Adam Hickox and Artist-in-Residence Liya Petrova for our 2026–27 Season at Cadogan Hall with Grażyna Bacewicz, Sibelius and Vaughan Williams. See you soon! 040 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Yesterday we dug into the story of Mozart's 'Jupiter' Symphony at Cadogan Hall with @leahbroad.bsky.social, Vasily Petrenko and our Principal Viola Abigail Fenna, uncovering the nuances of the music and how people in Mozart's time would have responded to it, before we performed the symphony in full. 172 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Earlier this month we toured Japan with our Music Director Vasily Petrenko and pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii 🗾 See more photos from our travels in our latest blog: www.rpo.co.uk/stories/phot... #RPOonTour 032 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 24/09/2026We couldn't have wished to spend our 80th Anniversary celebrations in better company 💗🎼 Thank you to all who joined us at the Royal Albert Hall yesterday for a special evening with Vasily Petrenko, Julia Fisher, Pablo Ferrández, Jan Lisiecki and composer Errollyn Wallen. 📷 Andy Paradise 141 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Wishing a very happy birthday to our Artist Laureate and Honorary Life Member, @johnrutter.bsky.social 🎶 We'll be back with John in the concert hall at his legendary Christmas Celebration at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 4 December ✨ 📷 Duncan Wood 082 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 16/09/2026This past weekend we finished up our tour to Japan with a concert at Osaka Festival Hall with Vasily Petrenko and Nobuyuki Tsujii 🎹🎶 Thanks for the memories! 071 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 08/09/2026A joyful new commission to celebrate the Orchestra's 80th Anniversary, Errollyn Wallen's FLARE, premieres at the Royal Albert Hall on Wed 23 Sep with our Music Director Vasily Petrenko. Read our interview with Errollyn ahead of the premiere: www.rpo.co.uk/stories/an-interview-with-errollyn-wallen 011 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 01/09/2026'I am so excited to join the RPO. I look forward to getting to know my amazing new colleagues and playing the huge variety of repertoire that the RPO does so well.' Today we welcome James Bower as our new Principal Timpani. We're glad to have you on the team! 🥁 051 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Discover what goes on under the bonnet of Mozart's last and greatest symphony, 'Jupiter', in our new concert format at Cadogan Hall on Thursday 1 October at 6pm and 8.30pm. [1/2] 131 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 18/08/2026'[The RPO] positively dazzled.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ @theartsdesk.bsky.social Did you catch us at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday? We gave a sold-out performance of Walton's Symphony No.2 and Elgar's Cello Concerto with soloist Pablo Ferrández, conducted by Vasily Petrenko. 📷 Mark Allan 120 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Co-written and narrated by Tom Hanks, and featuring interviews with Artemis astronauts as they look ahead to future moon landings, be transported to the lunar surface in a film that charts humanity's most extraordinary journey like you've never seen it before. 100 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 20/07/202657 years ago today, the first human beings walked on the Moon 🧑🚀🌔 Discover the story of the Apollo 11 mission told through stunning original footage and music by Anne Nikitin in The Moonwalkers at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 20 October. 🚀 rpo.co.uk/moonwalkers 140 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 17/07/2026This past week, BBC Radio 3 has been broadcasting performances featuring the Orchestra and our Music Director Vasily Petrenko from the Royal Albert Hall and Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on the programmes Classical Live and Radio 3 in Concert. Catch up on rpo.co.uk/radio3 110 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Our incredible Sub-Principal Flute, Jo Marsh, has smashed through a challenge she set for herself for the Orchestra’s 80th Anniversary year: visiting 80 schools across the country to introduce school children to orchestral music and answer questions from them about being a musician. 130 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 14/07/2026🔔 Tonight on BBC Radio 3 at 7.30pm you can hear vivid musical colours from the world of late-Romanticism and beyond in Hisaishi x Scriabin – a broadcast of our concert recorded at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on Friday 5 June. 📻 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... 120 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Just released! We are so excited that our 2026–27 residency concerts at Reading's The Hexagon @rdgwhatson.bsky.social are now available for booking at rpo.co.uk/reading We'll be performing... 131 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Thank you to all the brilliant audience members, big and small, who made Noisy Kids @rdgwhatson.bsky.social The Hexagon on Saturday out of this world! 👽🧑🚀🎶🎻🎺 Together we played, danced and sang through your favourite sci-film themes and orchestral pieces that were inspired by the night sky ✨ 152 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 15/06/2026'The majestic solemnity of the RPO's sound... melted away my scruples.' The Telegraph On Friday 5 June we performed the final concert of our 2025–26 London season with Vasily Petrenko at Southbank Centre. Read more: programmewww.rpo.co.uk/stories/photos-hisaishi-scriabin 📷 Sarah Louise Bennett 241 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 11/06/2026We had the enormous pleasure of sharing the stage yesterday with the stunning Clara Jumi-Kang and Ben Glassberg for our season finale at @cadoganhall.bsky.social, featuring Britten's introspective Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky's tumultuous reckoning with fate in his Symphony No.5. 111 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 08/06/2026On Friday 5 June we performed our final concert of the season at Southbank Centre with Rachmaninoff's Isle of the Dead and Scriabin's Symphony No.3, as well Joe Hisaishi's The Border Concerto for Three Horns, featuring Ben Hulme, Alexander Edmundson and Katy Woolley. 📷 Sarah Louise Bennett 121 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 22/05/2026Out now via harmonia mundi! Embracing the whole world, Mahler’s Symphony No.3 is a vast fresco in which nature, man and the spiritual interact on a cosmic scale. Recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall, Vasily Petrenko reveals all the richness of this visionary peak of post-Romanticism. [1/2] 131 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 20/05/2026'The whole RPO championed this concerto as if they believed in it.' @bachtrack.com Last week we joined Ray Chen at the Royal Albert Hall for Korngold's cinematic Violin Concerto, before Mahler's Fifth with Music Director Vasily Petrenko. www.rpo.co.uk/stories/phot... 📷 Frances Marshall 142 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 18/05/2026'I begin a journey into the unknown, I travel between fear and hope...' Last night we made a spiritual journey with Taneyev's cantata John of Damascus with the Philharmonia Chorus, and the numinous legend of Wagner's Parsifal in an orchestral suite conducted by Vasily Petrenko. 📷 Mark Allan 111 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 15/05/2026Although less well known today than Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Scriabin, Taneyev's music is every bit as powerful and masterfully crafted, and the Romantic composer's influence was instrumental to their creative output. Read about the life of 'the Russian Bach': www.rpo.co.uk/stories/russ... 151 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 14/05/2026For #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, we're sharing a story from Sound Sanctuary, our programme to support the mental health of people in Brent. Participants, alongside RPO players, created a piece of music inspired by their love of nature to celebrate David Attenborough’s 100th birthday... [1/2] 181 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Last night we concluded our series of Mahler symphonies this season @royalalberthall.bsky.social with the almighty Fifth, conducted by Vasily Petrenko. Before that, superstar violinist Ray Chen performed Korngold's swashbuckling Violin Concerto in all its colour and glamour. 🎻 📷 Frances Marshall 262 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 08/05/2026One of the most beautiful and affecting pieces of Russian choral music ever written. This is the Philharmonia Chorus singing Taneyev's cantata John of Damascus – they'll be joining us to perform it at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 17 May under the baton of our Music Director Vasily Petrenko. 120 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 01/05/2026We are delighted to share that our next album with harmonia mundi will be available to stream and purchase on Friday 22 May: Mahler’s Symphony No.3, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall. Find out more at rpo.co.uk/recordings 031 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 30/04/2026We were joined by our Music Director Vasily Petrenko, ondes Martenot player Cécile Lartigau, pianist Steven Osborne, and we were accompanied by a silent film from 1927, produced by Judith Dimant Productions. 📷 Andy Paradise 121 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 30/04/2026⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The RPO’s inspired collaboration with the multi-award-winning 1927 Studios was a triumph.' – @theguardian.com Last week we brought the cosmic revelations of Messiaen's Turangalîla to Southbank Centre. See more photos and reviews from the evening: www.rpo.co.uk/stories/five... 141 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 28/04/2026Our 2026–27 Season is now on sale 🎶 Our 80th Anniversary Season is full of reflections, remembrances and evocations: music that celebrates music, and the musicians who make it. And above all, music that celebrates you, our audience – the people who make the music complete. rpo.co.uk/2026-27 152 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 24/04/2026Last night we told a love story for the ages at Southbank Centre's Multitudes festival with Messiaen's Turangalîla, which was accompanied by a film created by 1927 Studios. We were joined by Cécile Lartigau on the ondes Martenot and pianist Steven Osborne. 📷 Andy Paradise 120 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 21/04/2026We're turning 80 years old in 2026, and you're invited to the party. In our 2026–27 Season, we're making music that celebrates music, the musicians who make it, and you, our audience – the people who make the music complete. 141 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 10/04/2026As well as music by Bernstein and Copland, we gave the London premiere of John's piano concerto 'Reflections', which was originally written for the RPO back in 1979, for which we performed with soloist Steven Osborne. Thanks to all who joined us! 120 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 10/04/2026We spent a beautiful evening @cadoganhall.bsky.social yesterday with @johnrutter.bsky.social for the world premiere of his Shakespeare Sketchbook, performed by our Principal Oboe John Roberts. It was a fitting tribute to late oboist Tim Watts, who played with us for many years. 📷 Frances Marshall 131 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 02/04/2026Last month we were at the Charis Centre in delivering one of our Relaxed Performances with Creative Crawley. We were especially delighted that audience member Lonny Chauhan created a beautiful portrait of First Violin Judith Templeman during the performance! It was an inspiring afternoon for all 🎼❤ 061 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 02/04/202680 schools for 80 years 🎶 To celebrate the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s 80th anniversary, our Sub-Principal Flute Jo Marsh has set herself the challenge of performing at 80 schools and youth clubs this year. Read more: www.rpo.co.uk/news-and-pre... 041 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 01/04/2026Thank you to everyone who joined us at @cadoganhall.bsky.social last night 🎶✨ Conducted by Nil Venditti, the programme featured Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No.1, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville Overture, and Rubbra’s Piano Concerto with pianist Mark Bebbington. 📷Jasmine Waterfield/RPO 131 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 19/03/2026The third and final of our series of Mahler symphonies at the Hall this 2025–26 Season concludes with the Fifth on Tuesday 12 May, which will also feature Ray Chen's performing Korngold's Violin concerto. Find out more: www.rpo.co.uk/whats-on/eventdetail/2702/275/mahler-x-korngold 020 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 19/03/2026'Not one of his works came as directly from his inmost heart as this.' wrote Alma Mahler on Gustav Mahler's Sixth Symphony. It was a joy to bring this music to you at the Royal Albert Hall yesterday with our Music Director Vasily Petrenko. Thank you for being there to hear it. 📷 Frances Marshall 121 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 06/03/2026We're looking for a Tutti Cello 🎶 Do you think that you or someone you know is up to the job? Find out more about applying: www.rpo.co.uk/about/work-with-us/1067-tutti-cello 043 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 05/03/2026Yesterday we performed Rachmaninoff's radiant Symphony No.2 and Lili Boulanger's playful Marche gaie @cadoganhall.bsky.social with conductor Eun Sun Kim, and we welcomed soloist Alexandra Tirsu to the stage for a stunning rendition of Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No.1 🎻 151 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 26/02/2026Orchestral music is for everyone ✨ Recently we welcomed audiences to Brent Civic Centre for a Relaxed Performance, an inclusive experience especially designed for those who find traditional concerts challenging. Led by Tim Steiner, we brought music to life with visual aids and breakout sessions. 151 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 16/02/2026This weekend we painted @cadoganhall.bsky.social and Northampton's @royalderngate.bsky.social pink with soprano Anne-Marie MacIntosh, tenor Nicky Spence and conductor Jordan de Souza for Valentine's Day, music from operas by Puccini, Massenet, Verdi and more that made our hearts burst 💝 141 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 13/02/2026Want to feel a little classical love this Valentine's Day? 🎻❤️🤍 Esther Yoo's Love Symposium, an album featuring Bernstein's Serenade after Plato's Symposium, Mahler's Adagietto and Elgar's Salut d'amour, is out now! 💿 Listen: estheryoo.lnk.to/LoveSymposium 142 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 12/02/2026🔥 'The RPO were on fire, with power and intensity combined with electric precision at pace.' @bachtrack.com Read the review from our return to Southbank Centre with Shostakovich, Beethoven and Ustvolskaya: bachtrack.com/review-petre... 📷 Sarah Louise Bennett 141 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 11/02/2026A melody too good to resist using for yourself – Eric Carmen's 'Never Gonna Fall in Love Again' has tune that you might recognise from the Adagio in Rachmaninoff's Symphony No.2... Hear this heartstring-tugging late-Romantic symphony at Cadogan Hall on Wednesday 4 March, conducted by Eun Sun Kim. 221 0
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @royalphilorchestra.bsky.social · 04/02/2026Beforehand, Benjamin Grosvenor performed Beethoven's convention-breaking Piano Concerto No.1, and baritone Yuriy Yurchuk sung Galina Ustvolskaya's reimagining of the Cossack leader of legend in The Dream of Stepan Razin. 220 0