Biography
For over seven decades, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has occupied a central position in Britain's musical landscape. Beyond its home base at London's Cadogan Hall, the ensemble reaches audiences nationwide, performing in regions with limited exposure to orchestral music and thereby earning recognition as the country's national orchestra. Its organizational structure encompasses the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, oriented toward popular repertoire, the experimental Sharp Edge ensemble, and RPO Resound, its dedicated community and education initiative.
Sir Thomas Beecham, who established the orchestra in 1946 and guided the post-World War II resurgence of British orchestral activity, would have welcomed its subsequent forays into collaborations with pop artists and contributions to film, television, and video game scores. Early success followed swiftly: a sustained summer residency at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera commenced in 1948, and in 1950 the orchestra became the first English ensemble to tour the United States since 1912. Rudolf Kempe assumed the role of principal conductor after Beecham's death in 1961.
The early 1960s brought difficulties under the direction of Beecham's widow, prompting Kempe's temporary departure and a brief revocation of the orchestra's royal title. Queen Elizabeth II reinstated the designation in 1966. Artistic consolidation came through the tenures of Antal Doráti (1975-1978), André Previn (1985-1992), and Vladimir Ashkenazy (music director, 1987-1994). Subsequent leaders have included Daniele Gatti, Yuri Temirkanov, Charles Dutoit, and Vasily Petrenko, who took up the music directorship in 2021.
Recording activity has long distinguished the RPO. Within its initial years the catalog already exceeded one hundred releases; by the early 2020s the total had reached several hundred, spanning pop projects—such as the Hooked on Classics series of the 1980s—and contemporary avant-garde works. A 125-album agreement with the Tring label formed part of this output. In 1986 the orchestra founded RPO Records, believed to be the first label owned by a symphony orchestra, an approach now widely adopted. The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, its light-music counterpart, was introduced the following year.
RPO Resound was launched in 1993 to deliver musical engagement in non-traditional venues including schools, prisons, and hospitals; one of its flagship initiatives is the stroke-recovery program STROKESTRA. Since 2004 the RPO has served as resident ensemble at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea, becoming the first London orchestra to secure a permanent base. In 2019 it released Rachel Fuller's Animal Requiem and was appointed associate orchestra of the Royal Albert Hall. Its 2022 releases included a pairing of Sibelius symphonies and the album Air, devoted to Oliver Davis's music. The following year the orchestra collaborated with Joe Hisaishi on A Symphonic Celebration, presenting new orchestral arrangements of music from Studio Ghibli films.
Sir Thomas Beecham, who established the orchestra in 1946 and guided the post-World War II resurgence of British orchestral activity, would have welcomed its subsequent forays into collaborations with pop artists and contributions to film, television, and video game scores. Early success followed swiftly: a sustained summer residency at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera commenced in 1948, and in 1950 the orchestra became the first English ensemble to tour the United States since 1912. Rudolf Kempe assumed the role of principal conductor after Beecham's death in 1961.
The early 1960s brought difficulties under the direction of Beecham's widow, prompting Kempe's temporary departure and a brief revocation of the orchestra's royal title. Queen Elizabeth II reinstated the designation in 1966. Artistic consolidation came through the tenures of Antal Doráti (1975-1978), André Previn (1985-1992), and Vladimir Ashkenazy (music director, 1987-1994). Subsequent leaders have included Daniele Gatti, Yuri Temirkanov, Charles Dutoit, and Vasily Petrenko, who took up the music directorship in 2021.
Recording activity has long distinguished the RPO. Within its initial years the catalog already exceeded one hundred releases; by the early 2020s the total had reached several hundred, spanning pop projects—such as the Hooked on Classics series of the 1980s—and contemporary avant-garde works. A 125-album agreement with the Tring label formed part of this output. In 1986 the orchestra founded RPO Records, believed to be the first label owned by a symphony orchestra, an approach now widely adopted. The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, its light-music counterpart, was introduced the following year.
RPO Resound was launched in 1993 to deliver musical engagement in non-traditional venues including schools, prisons, and hospitals; one of its flagship initiatives is the stroke-recovery program STROKESTRA. Since 2004 the RPO has served as resident ensemble at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea, becoming the first London orchestra to secure a permanent base. In 2019 it released Rachel Fuller's Animal Requiem and was appointed associate orchestra of the Royal Albert Hall. Its 2022 releases included a pairing of Sibelius symphonies and the album Air, devoted to Oliver Davis's music. The following year the orchestra collaborated with Joe Hisaishi on A Symphonic Celebration, presenting new orchestral arrangements of music from Studio Ghibli films.
Albums

Oliver Davis: Life
2025

Midsummer Light
2025

Player 1
2024

Tanzil: Serenade
2024

Stravaganza
2024

Stravaganza: 2. Dreams & Drones
2024

Palladio Reimagined: 1. Allegretto
2024

Beethoven, Piano Concertos No 3 & 4
2024

Beethoven, Piano Concertos No 1 & 2
2024

The Nightingale (Orch. Rachimov)
2024

Bizet: Carmen, Act I: Habanera. L'amour est un oiseau rebelle
2024

Oliver Davis: Blue
2023

Dreamweaver
2023

Gjeilo: The Road: 6. Husedalen
2023

Gjeilo: Dreamweaver: 1. Prologue
2023

A Symphonic Celebration - Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki
2023

Drastic Symphonies
2023

Moore: The Ballad of Baby Doe: The Willow Song (Musical Moments)
2023

Thomas Beecham Conducts Richard Strauss
2023

I Watch You Sleep
2023

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 - 9
2023

The Drop That Contained the Sea: Waloyo Yamoni
2023

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto
2023

Barber, Bruch
2023

Nimrod from Enigma Variations, Op. 36 (Arr. Farrington as "Pie Jesu" for Chorus and Orchestra)
2022

Three Christmas Cantatas
2022

God Save The King (British National Anthem)
2022

The Lost Birds
2022

God Save The King (British National Anthem) [Arr. Britten]
2022

God Save The King (British National Anthem) (Instrumental)
2022

Leoncavallo: Zingari
2022

Flocks a Mile Wide
2022

A Hundred Thousand Birds
2022

Oliver Davis: Air
2022

Cinema Classics
2022

Christopher Gunning: Concertino for Flute and Small Orchestra; Concerto for Clarinet & String Orchestra; Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra
2022

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
2021

Happy Christmas
2021

I Sing of a Maiden: 5 New Carols by John Rutter
2021

Rossini: Comic Overtures
2021

Beecham Conducts Sibelius
2021

Long Ago and Far Away
2021

The Orchestral Sessions (Vol. 1)
2021

Christopher Gunning: Symphony No. 5 & String Quartet No. 1
2021

Poulenc: Aubade, Le Bal masqué, Flute Sonata & Sextet
2021

Peter Breiner: A Journey – Calm Romantic Piano Music, Vol. 2
2021

Christopher Gunning: Symphonies 6 & 7
2021

Symphonie meines Lebens 2
2020

Karłowicz: Symphonic Poems, Opp. 12-14 — Chopin: Allegro de concert, Op. 46
2020

Oswald, Saint-Saëns & Nepomuceno: Piano Works
2020

To Shiver the Sky
2020

Christopher Gunning: Violin Concerto, Cello Concerto & Birdflight
2020

Foster: Beautiful Dreamer (Arr. Coughlin for Voice and Orchestra) (Musical Moments)
2020

Beethoven: Symphonies No. 3 "Eroica" & No. 5
2020

Francis Poulenc: Piano Concerto & Concert Champêtre
2020

Mozart: Concertos For Two Pianos K 242 & 365; Kozeluch: Four Hands Piano Concerto
2020

Here Come the Classics, Vol. 1
2019

Here Come the Classics, Vol. 12: The Glory of Vienna
2019

Here Come the Classics, Vol. 11
2019

Here Come the Classics, Vol. 16: Spanish Fiesta!
2019

Here Come the Classics, Vol. 3
2019

Here Come the Classics, Vol. 4: English String Classics
2019

Here Come the Classics, Vol. 9: Great Choral Classics
2019

Here Come the Classics, Vol. 10: Grand Opera Gala
2019

Sutermeister: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1
2019

Elgar: Violin Concerto in B Minor & Violin Sonata in E Minor
2019

David Gompper: Double Concerto "Dialogue", Clarinet Concerto & Sunburst
2019

Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
2018

Unchained Melodies: Roy Orbison & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
2018

True Love Ways
2018

The Great War Symphony
2018

Gershwin Reimagined: An American In London
2018

There's a Place for Us
2018

Villa-Lobos: Floresta do Amazonas, W551, 4. Melodia Sentimental
2018

The Beach Boys With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
2018

Katherine Lacy Plays Mozart
2018

Grieg & Delius: Piano Concertos
2018

Mozart: Piano Concertos, K. 242, 365, 466 & 467
2018

Matthew Gee's Amazing Sliding Circus
2018

The Golden Age of Hollywood Classics: The Great Musicals
2018

Oliver Davis: Liberty
2018

Christmas with Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Deluxe)
2017

Mignone & Albéniz: Piano Concertos
2017

A Love So Beautiful: Roy Orbison & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
2017

Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Romances for Violin & Orchestra, and Triple Concerto in C Major
2017

Grzegorz Nowak Conducts Karlowicz
2017

Sounds of the 60s
2017

Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K. 384
2017

Our Christmas Sequence
2016

Flavio Motalla: L'amore è poesia – Vocalises for Soprano & Orchestra
2016

Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, Piano Concerto, Variations on "I Got Rhythm" & Preludes
2016

Symphonic Queen - The Greatest Hits
2016

Xiaogang Ye: Symphony No. 3, Op. 46 "Chu" & The Last Paradise, Op. 24
2016

John Rutter: Psalmfest
2016

Debussy, Fauré & Ravel: Works for Piano & Orchestra
2016

Vaughan Williams & Elgar: The Lark Ascending; Tallis Fantasia; Introduction & Allegro; In Moonlight
2016

Rutter: The Gift of Life
2015

If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
2015

Elgar: "Enigma" Variations; Nursery Suite; Introduction and Allegro for Strings
2015

Grzegorz Nowak Conducts Mussorgsky
2015

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 4
2015

Gilbert & Sullivan: The Yeomen Of The Guard
2015

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 1 & Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
2015

Glazunov: Conerto Ballata, Prokofiev: Concertino & Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme
2015

Pete Townshend's Classic Quadrophenia
2015

Hollywood Blockbusters
2015

The Genesis Suite
2015

English Music for Strings
2015

Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies
2015

Rachmaninov, Strauss & Dohnányi: Works for Piano & Orchestra
2014

ABBAphonic
2014

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 - 'Moonlight' Sonata
2014

Bloch: Symphony in E-Flat Major, Macbeth, 3 Jewish Poems & In Memoriam
2014

Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites; Piano Concerto
2014

Berlioz: The Trojans (The Beecham Collection)
2014

The Beecham Collection: Wagner, Delius & Schubert
2014

Beethoven: Symphonies No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36; No. 4 in B-Flat Major, Op. 60 & No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93
2014

Karayev: 7 Beauties & In the Path of Thunder
2013

The Golden Age of Hollywood, Vol. 4
2013

Epic Trailers
2013

Grzegorz Nowak Conducts Brahms
2013

Silent Nights - Die schönsten Melodien für eine entspannte Weihnachtszeit
2013

Heart's Delight - The Songs Of Richard Tauber
2013

Happy New Year (Remastered)
2012

Gorecki: Symphony No. 3; Three Pieces in Olden Style
2012

Movie Magic: Epics & Westerns
2012

Bizet: Symphony in C; Carmen Suites 1 & 2; Jeux d'Enfants
2012

R. Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra; Don Juan & Till Eulenspiegel
2012

British Summer Sport: Going for Gold
2012

Grieg & Sibelius Favourites
2012

A Song in Season
2012

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5
2012

Titanic Requiem
2012

Last Night of the Proms (Remastered)
2012

Shostakovich: Symphony No.5
2012

Shostakovich: Piano Concertos Nos.1 & 2; Symphony No.9
2012

Torn Curtain
2011

Debussy: Estampes (Images), Cortege et air de Danse
2011

Sakura, Sakura (10 Years in Japan)
2011

Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture; Capriccio Italien; Romeo & Juliet
2011

Schumann; Mendelssohn; Gade; Sterndale Bennett
2010

Goossens Conducts Rimsky-Korsakov and Mussorgsky/Ravel
2010

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade & Russian Easter Festival Overture
2010

Medek: Cello Concerto No. 1, Eine Stele für Bernd Alois Zimmermann & Schattenspiele
2010

SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 1; Karelia Suite; Swan of Tuonela; Finlandia
2010

Luigini: Ballet Egyptien - Tchaikovsky: The Tempest
2010

Khachaturian: Famous Ballet Suites: Spartacus – Gayaneh - Maskarade
2010

Grzegorz Nowak Conducts Schumann - The Four Symphonies
2009

Holst: The Planets
2009

A Christmas Festival
2008

Something Here
2008

Beethoven: Piano Concerti Nos. 4 & 5
2008

Rodrigo, Bacarisse, Bizet, Torroba & Rossini : A Celebration Of The Spanish Guitar
2008

Still: Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat Major "Afro-American" - Beach: Symphony in E Minor, Op. 32 "Gaelic"
2008

Grzegorz Nowak conducts Mendelssohn Symphonies 3 & 4
2007

Best of Broadway
2006

Vaughan Williams: Piano Concerto – Foulds: Dynamic Triptych, Op. 88
2006

John Adams: Violin Concerto - John Corigliano: The Red Violin: Chaconne
2006

Holst : The Planets & Somerset Rhapsody
2005

English String Classics Vol.2
2005

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64, TH 29
2003

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Queen
2003

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
2003

Royal Strings
2001

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker op.71; Symphony No. 4
2001

Dvorak: Slavonic Dances; Czech Suite etc.
2000

Handel: Messiah
2000

Donizetti: Gabriella di Vergy
1999

1000 Anys
1998

Strauss: Emperor Waltz, Waltz on the Beautiful Blue Danube, Overture to Die Fleidermaus
1998

Meyerbeer: Il crociato in Egitto
1998

Philharmania
1998

Rubinstein: Piano Concerto No. 4 etc
1996

Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 & "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Incidental Music
1996

Elgar: Symphony No. 2; Sea Pictures
1994

Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet
1994

Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", Carnival Overture, Scherzo Capriccioso
1994

Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia; Symphonies Nos.1 & 2
1994

Gershwin: An American In Paris, Rhapsody In Blue; Ravel: Bolero; Debussy: Prélude à L'Après Midi D'un Faune
1994

Holst: The Planets Suite & St. Paul's Suite
1994

Lalo: Namouna Ballet Suites
1994

Bizet: "Carmen" Suites Nos. 1 and 2 - Grieg: "Peer Gynt"
1993

Offenbach: Robinson Crusoe
1993

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique & Le Carnaval Romain
1993

Goldmark: Rustic Wedding Symphony / Sakuntala Overture
1992

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78 "Organ" & Phaéton, Op. 39
1991

Richard Strauss: Horn Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 etc
1991

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5 in D Major & Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
1989

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6
1989

Shostakovich: Symphony No.4
1989

Sundance Film Music Series, Vol. 1: It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol & Miracle On 34th Street
1988

Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 & Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
1987

Walton: Symphony No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Orb and Scepter & Crown Imperial
1987

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; Le Carnaval Romain; Le Corsaire
1987

Dupré: Symphony for Organ and Orchestra in G Minor, Op. 25 - Rheinberger: Organ Concerto No. 1 in F Major, Op. 137
1987

Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67 - Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34
1986

Holst: The Planets, Op. 32
1986

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23, TH 55 - Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
1986

Star Trek, Vol. 2 (Original Television Scores)
1986

Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27
1985

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1985

Star Trek, Vol. 1 (Original Television Scores)
1985

Hooked on Classics
1981

Schumann: Cello Concerto - Bruch: Kol Nidrei - Boëllmann: Variations symphoniques
1979

The Thief of Bagdad
1977

The Glory of Christmas
1977

Elgar: Enigma Variations; Pomp and Circumstance
1976

The Concert John Barry
1972

Ekseption 00.04 (Expanded Edition)
1971

Stravinsky: Œdipus rex
1963

To Kill A Mockingbird
1962

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7, Op. 92
1961

Rossini, Respighi: La boutique fantasque
1958

Kodaly: Dances of Galata, Dances of Marosszék, Háry János Suite / Ippolitov Ivanov: Caucasian Sketches
1956
Singles

Les Fleurs
2025

I Remember My Name (Arr. Langley for Violin & Orchestra) (From "Squid Game")
2024

Guten Morgen Sonnenschein
2024

Romantic Flight (Arr. Herbert for Violin & Orchestra) (From "How to Train Your Dragon")
2024

Tubular Bells (2023 edit)
2023

A Town with an Ocean View (from 'Kiki's Delivery Service')
2023

Make a Joyful Noise
2023

Mother’s Broom (from 'Kiki's Delivery Service')
2023

Merry-Go-Round of Life (from 'Howl’s Moving Castle')
2023

Leoncavallo: Zingari: "'Disciogli i balenanti" (Chorus, the Old Man, Radu)
2022

Leoncavallo: Zingari: "Principe! Radu io son" (Radu)
2022

Winter Wonderland
2021

White Christmas (Weisse Weihnacht)
2021

Dann geh doch
2020

Suppé: Dichter Und Bauer: Overture (Digitally Remastered)
2015

Ravel: Rhapsody Espagnole (Excerpt) [Digitally Remastered]
2014

Strauss: Delirien (Deliriums), Op. 212 (Digitally Remastered)
2014

Strauss: Sphären-Klänge (Music of the Spheres), Op. 235 (Digitally Remastered)
2014

Strauss: Egyptischer Marsch (Egyptian March), Op. 335 (Digitally Remastered)
2014
Live



