The Chorus
An independent symphony chorus based in London, the Philharmonia Chorus is recognised as one of the world's finest symphony choruses. They have a distinguished nearly 70-year history and a legendary discography, having performed with almost all the leading conductors of the age.
Last year the Chorus took part in performances of Rachmaninov's The Bells and Verdi's Messa da Requiem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko, and two semi-staged performances of La bohème in Lille with the Orchestre National de Lille conducted by Alexandre Bloch. The Chorus was invited to perform twice at the BBC Proms, the first in a performance of Debussy Nocturnes with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko, and the second in Handel's Messiah with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted by John Butt. They took part in a performance of Mahler's Second Symphony with the Philharmonia Orchestra at Bold Tendencies, a former multi-storey car park in Peckham, South London, and performances of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Handel's Messiah with the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall.
This year the basses of the Chorus took part in two performances of Shostakovich's Symphony No.13 'Babi Yar' with the Orchestre National de Lille conducted by Joshua Weilerstein, the first in Lille (which can be seen on You Tube), and the second in the Philharmonie de Paris, which was broadcast live by Radio France, and marked the Chorus's debut in the Philharmonie. Following this the Chorus took part in a performances of Verdi's Messa da Requiem with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti, and Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem in the Chapel of King's College Cambridge conducted by Daniel Hyde, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. The Chorus took part in live showings of Ridley Scott's Gladiator and gave the world première of Cosmology by Max Richter with Anna Lapwood and the Philharmonia Orchestra, both at the Royal Albert Hall, and joined the BBC Singers for a performance of The End of the World by Joe Hisaishi at the 2025 BBC Proms. The Chorus's performance of Rachmaninov's The Bells in April 2024 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko in the Royal Festival Hall was recorded, and it will be the first recording in the RPO's partnership with Harmonia Mundi, to be issued on 14 November 2025. Future plans include concerts with the Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestras, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
The Chorus is active in presentations of film with live music, and has taken part in several showings of Gladiator, Amadeus, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and The Lord of the Rings, all at the Royal Albert Hall. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone will be added to this list in September 2026. Last year the Chorus also took part in The Rest is History: Mozart and Beethoven with live orchestra presented by Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland at the Royal Albert Hall, with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted by Oliver Zeffman, later issued as a podcast.
The Chorus runs its own Professional Singer and Student Schemes to complement its membership of high quality amateur singers. The Chorus Master is Gavin Carr, and the Chorus Accompanist is Timothy End.
The Chorus is a Registered Charity, No. 250495.