Philharmonia Orchestra

The Philharmonia Orchestra is a London-based symphony orchestra founded in 1945 by EMI producer Walter Legge. It quickly became one of Britain’s leading ensembles, recording extensively for EMI and performing under conductors including Herbert von Karajan, Otto Klemperer, and later Esa-Pekka Salonen as principal conductor and artistic advisor. The orchestra is known for its wide-ranging repertoire from the classical canon to contemporary commissions and film scores, and it maintains a busy schedule of concerts at the Royal Festival Hall and international tours. It has made hundreds of acclaimed recordings and continues to champion new music while preserving its legacy of excellence in the standard repertoire.