The Philharmonia Chorus is an independent symphony chorus based in London. Founded by Walter Legge in 1957 to record Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Otto Klemperer, the Chorus quickly established itself as one of Europe’s premier choruses. Over the succeeding decades, the Chorus has worked with many of the leading orchestras in Europe, and most of the leading conductors of the day.
It’s now November. The orchestra is churning its way through Beethoven’s Adagio under Klemperer’s baton. A pause, and then the finale. Pitz’s chorus sings its first notes in public. Hesitant? Certainly not. Clipped and ordered? Well, sort of. Thrusting, emotional, textured, gripping? Absolutely. Unusual? Completely. The Philharmonia Chorus is born.
It’s now April. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is etching its way through Beethoven’s Adagio under Ilan Volkov’s baton. A pause, and then the finale. The Philharmonia Chorus sings its first notes in public since Bevier’s appointment, and immediately there’s a new excitement, weight and confidence in the sound. The thrust and colour Klemperer first asked for. ‘A chorus reborn’, declares The Times. ‘Vibrancy, bite and panache’ snaps The Independent.
The Philharmonia Chorus journey continues. And right now, it’s more exciting than ever.
Philharmonia Chorus celebrates 60th anniversary with
On Tuesday November 12 1957 the Philharmonia Chorus gave its very first performance. The occasion was the culmination of a Beethoven cycle with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Otto Klemperer in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
The Chorus marked 60 years of glorious music making on Sunday 5 November at the Royal Festival Hall in a performance of William Walton's spectacular oratorio
The Philharmonia Chorus made its debut with the Orchestre National de Lille on Friday September 22 in the Auditorium du Nouveau Siècle in Lille with a performance of Ravel's
The concert was repeated on Saturday 23 September, and the performances were recorded by Mezzo TV for future transmission.
Philharmonia Chorus at the Rheingau Festival
This summer the Philharmonia Chorus made its first appearance at the Rheingau Music Festival in two concerts of English music.
On August 31, the Chorus was accompanied by organist Thomas Frank in a programme of music from the English Musical Renaissance, 1850 - 1930, in the Marktkirche in Wiesbaden. Choral works by Stanford, Parry, Wood, Elgar and Vaughan Williams were conducted by Stefan Bevier. The concert was recorded by Deutschlandfunk for future transmission.
On Saturday 3 June at the Royal Festival Hall, London, the Philharmonia Chorus took part in a Grand Opera Gala with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Stefan Bevier, Chorus Master of the Philharmonia Chorus, with soprano Natasha Jouhl, tenor Peter Auty and baritone David Kemster.
