The world-renowned Philharmonia Orchestra will make a rare visit to Scotland this week when they perform in Aberdeen for the first time in their 60-year history.
The Philharmonia, which is the UK’s National Orchestra based at the Royal Festival Hall in London, will perform in the Music Hall,
Aberdeen, as part of the worldwide celebrations of the centenary of the birth of Shostakovich, one of the greatest composers of the
20th century.
The orchestra is conducted by the world-famous Vladimir Ashkenazy, one of the most renowned and revered pianists of our times
who has turned his talents to conducting for the past 20 years of his career. Together with the outstanding Scottish pianist Stephen
Osborne, the duo will make their debut performance in Aberdeen on Friday (May 5).
Dr Roger Williams, Director of Music at the University of Aberdeen, said he was thrilled to be welcoming musicians of such high
calibre to Aberdeen. He said: “This performance by the outstanding Philharmonia Orchestra is very much anticipated in Aberdeen
and will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the season. To have musicians of such international excellence will be a real treat
for Aberdeen audiences, as well as classical music lovers from all over Scotland, who will travel far and wide to hear these wonderful
musicians.”
The concert programme features Shostakovich’s Festival Overture and Piano Concerto No 2, and Rachmaninov’s Symphony No 2.
“The Philharmonia Orchestra has a special relationship with Ashkenazy and the second symphony of Rachmaninov has become a widely acknowledged interpretation,” said Dr Williams. “The concert is sure to be a momentous occasion in the city’s rich classical musical scene.”
The concert is being held in association with University Music , the Craig Group and Aberdeen City Council. Dr Williams added: “I warmly congratulate and celebrate the enthusiasm and commitment of our sponsors, and of the City Council in supporting his very special event.
“We hope this unique concert will attract huge crowds to Aberdeen enhancing the Music Hall’s reputation as a home of great performances.”
The Philharmonia Orchestra,one of the leading orchestras of the world, was originally formed as a recording orchestra. It is made up of more than 80 musicians giving around 40 concerts in London and over 60 concerts a year at its residences and other venues around the UK, in addition to its touring work all over the world.
It’s the world’s most recorded orchestra with over 1000 releases to its credit and has also enjoyed a long and distinguished association with cinema over the years. The Philharmonia’s earliest work included such prestigious films as Olivier’s Henry V with William Walton, Scott of the Antartic, and Nicholas and Alexandra.
In 2001, the orchestra recorded Paradise Found and the epic Channel 4 production Shackleton, starring Kenneth Branagh. It also recorded Shipping News for Miramax, starring Dame Judi Dench and Kevin Spacey, for which the score by Christopher Young received a Golden Globe nomination.
As well as recording the contemporary film scores, the Philharmonia has also become involved with recording music for computer games. Its music for the Harry Potter (Chamber of Secrets) computer game in 2004 won a BAFTA, and the music for the latest Harry Potter (Prisoner of Azkaban) game has also been nominated for a BAFTA.
The Philharmonia Orchestra concert in Aberdeen takes place on Friday, May 5, at The Music Hall, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Aberdeen Box Office on (01224) 641122 or by logging on to: www.abdnboxoffice.com