Philharmonia Orchestra Video Podcasts

Pianist Peter Jablonski talks us through Witold Lutosławski's Piano Concerto (1987-88), which will be performed by Krystian Zimerman on 30 January at the Royal Festival Hall in London. This concert marks the opening of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".

In this extended feature, Principal Timpanist Andy "Thumper" Smith, described here by a fellow player as a "defining feature of the Philharmonia sound", looks back fondly on his 40 year journey with the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Es ist ein ros entsprungen, arr. Roger Harvey. Performed by: Paul Sharp (trumpet), Mark Calder (trumpet), Katy Woolley (horn), Rebecca Smith (trombone), Pete Smith (tuba). Filmed at Le Méridien Piccadilly, Official Hotel Partner of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Send this as a digital Christmas card to your friends and family: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/christmas/

Orchestra Unwrapped is a major education initiative led by the Philharmonia Orchestra for Leicester and Basingstoke schoolchildren. Thousands of children aged 7-11 are given the opportunity to see a symphony orchestra and learn more about classical music in an engaging, funny and age-appropriate show. Find out more here: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra_unwrapped/

Orchestra Unwrapped is a major education initiative led by the Philharmonia Orchestra for Leicester and Basingstoke schoolchildren. Thousands of children aged 7-11 are given the opportunity to see a symphony orchestra and learn more about classical music in an engaging, funny and age-appropriate show. Find out more here: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra_unwrapped/

Esa-Pekka Salonen discusses the concert series City of Dreams: Vienna 1900-1935. We also take a look at Schoenberg's music and see what effect popular culture had on the Viennese composers.

The Philharmonia Orchestra's Beethoven symphonic series culminates in a complete symphony cycle at the Beethovenfest (3-7 October 2012) where these classic works will be performed alongside new masterpieces. Esa-Pekka Salonen brings us insight into his fresh approach. Click here for series information: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/series/salonen_beethoven/ Follow Philharmonia players on tour during the Beethoven cycle: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/thesoundexchange/projects/beethoven/

The Three Choirs Festival is the world's oldest and greatest Choral festival, and this year it will be held in Hereford Cathedral from 21-27 July. The Philharmonia continues their three year residency at the festival and to celebrate we talk to those involved in making it happen. Highlights at this year's festival include Julian Lloyd Webber playing Delius's Cello Concerto, Joseph Phibbs's new composition Rivers to the Sea and a rare performance of Dyson's Pilgrim's Progress.

British composer Joseph Phibbs was commissioned by Anvil Arts and the Philharmonia Orchestra to write a new symphonic work for The Anvil, Basingstoke's 18th Birthday celebrations and to mark the continuing relationship with the Philharmonia Orchestra as The Anvil's Orchestra in Partnership. We met with Joseph Phibbs while he was writing his new work, Rivers to the Sea, to get special insight into the composition process. Rivers to the Sea premières at the Anvil, Basingstoke on Fri 22 June 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/22jun12/. London premiere at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, 28 June 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/28jun12/. Three Choirs Festival, 21 July 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/21jul12/. Auditorio Lingotto, Turin, 20 Sept 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/20sep12/. Beethovenfest, Bonn, 5 Oct 2012: philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/05oct12/

In 2012 Esa-Pekka Salonen will begin a Beethoven symphonic series with the Philharmonia Orchestra, an exploration of cornerstones of the orchestral repertoire, culminating in a complete symphony cycle at the Beethovenfest in October 2012. In our latest podcast, Esa-Pekka Salonen explains why Beethoven matters. Click here for series information: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/series/salonen_beethoven/

Guitarist Craig Ogden in conversation with Leicester-based sitar player Roopa Panesar. The two virtuosi compare instrumental techniques and find links between the Indian and western classical music traditions. This podcast also gives audiences an introduction to Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, which Ogden will perform in Leicester on 1 February 2012. The project was a collaboration with Shruti Arts and Orchestras Live. For concert information and booking visit: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1feb12/

The Philharmonia Orchestra's Digital team travelled to Florence, Italy to discover the personal story behind Luigi Dallapiccola's opera, Il Prigioniero. Written between 1944 and 1948, Il Prigioniero expresses Dallapiccola's disillusionment with Mussolini's politics. Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen, writer and recording producer Misha Donat, and professor Mila De Santis give insight into this moving political statement. Find out more about the 26 January 2012 concert of Il Prigioniero here: http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/26jan12/ Part of "The still point of the turning world": Music that defines an era series supported by the Meyer Foundation. (http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/series/still_point/)

Step into the world of Duke Bluebeard's Castle and discover the work done behind the scenes to bring the Philharmonia Orchestra's production of Bartók's only opera to life. Directed by Nick Hillel of Yeast Culture and conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, this unique, new production features specially created films projected onto the set surrounding the orchestra. The production tours the UK and Europe in October and November 2011. A Philharmonia Orchestra, Rite Digital and Yeast Culture production. Co-commissioned by the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (Lisbon) and Konzerthaus Dortmund. Part of the Infernal Dance: Inside the World of Béla Bartók season, generously supported by the Meyer Foundation. For series and concert information, please visit our Bartók mini-site. (www.philharmonia.co.uk/bartok)

Watch our behind-the-scenes film as Esa-Pekka Salonen prepares for a performance of Sibelius’s ‘choral’ symphony, Kullervo, based on a dark tale from the Finnish epic, the Kalevala. Salonen travelled to Uppsala, Sweden to rehearse with the male choir, Orphei Drängar, who feature prominently in the piece. This concert opens the Philharmonia Orchestra's 2011/12 London Season at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall. Click here to learn more and book tickets. philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/25sept11/

The Philharmonia Orchestra begins a new residency at The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury from November 2011. The residency, the first by a major symphony orchestra in Kent, will feature an annual series of concerts at The Marlowe Theatre, as well as forging links with local education organisations. Visit philharmonia.co.uk/canterbury for more information.