Philharmonia Chorus

Based in London, Philharmonia Chorus has held a distinctive place in British musical life since 1957 as an independent, self-governing symphonic choir, born in the orbit of the Philharmonia Orchestra and first heard in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony under Otto Klemperer. Its repertoire belongs to the broad choral-classical tradition: oratorios, large symphonic works with chorus, requiems and operas in concert performance, with a practice that blends British choral tradition and a preparation shaped by the Germanic school. Having become autonomous in 1964, Philharmonia Chorus has sustained rare continuity across decades, working with conductors such as Carlo Maria Giulini, Riccardo Muti, Simon Rattle, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Harding and Esa-Pekka Salonen, and performing at venues including the Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican, Covent Garden, the Concertgebouw, La Scala and the Elbphilharmonie. Its history also includes a substantial discography and regular European tours, as well as ventures into more cross-disciplinary formats, projection-concerts and a handful of contemporary premieres. Since 2018 Philharmonia Chorus has been prepared by Gavin Carr, and its membership combines accomplished amateur singers, students and professionals, reflecting a collective mode of operation that remains at the heart of its identity.