Benjamin Zander conducts the soprano Miah Persson, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, the Philharmonia Chorus and the Philharmonia Orchestra in a new recording of Symphony No.2 'Resurrection' by Gustav Mahler, which has been released by Linn Records.

The Philharmonia Chorus was prepared by chorus master Stefan Bevier, and the recording was made in Watford Colosseum under the supervision of recording engineer Robert Friedrich and his team. It is available as a download from the Linn Records website, or as a Super Audio Compact Disc, which can be played on both SACD-equipped (5.1 channel surround sound) and stereo CD players.

The Philharmonia Chorus took part in a performance of Hector Berlioz' Roméo et Juliette, at the Royal Festival Hall on 26 September. Christianne Stotijn (soprano), Paul Groves (tenor) and Gerald Finley (bass-baritone), the Philharmonia Chorus and the Philharmonia Orchestra were conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, and the concert marked the opening of the Philharmonia Orchestra's 2013-14 London season.

Following the Chorus' acclaimed performance of Verdi's Requiem on 20 April with the Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, the Philharmonia Chorus and the Philharmonia Orchestra will be back together in the Royal Festival Hall on Friday 7 June for an evening of opera choruses by Verdi and Wagner, both born in 1813.

The programme will celebrate this joint 200th anniversary of two of the greatest opera composers with a powerful programme of well known opera choruses.

Orchestra and Chorus will be joined by American tenor Marc Heller, and the concert will be conducted by the Chorus Master of the Philharmonia Chorus, Stefan Bevier, and this concert marks his debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra.

In Verdi's bicentenary year, the Philharmonia Chorus took part in a performance of his Requiem on Saturday 20 April with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Daniele Gatti at the Royal Festival Hall, with soloists Krassimira Stoyanova, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Francesco Meli, and Carlo Colombara.

The Chorus took part in a rare performance of the Stabat Mater by Herbert Howells on Good Friday, 29 March as part of this year's Easter at King's Festival in the Chapel of King's College Cambridge. The BBC Concert Orchestra was conducted by Stephen Cleobury, with tenor John Daszak.

The English composer Herbert Howells (1892 - 1983) is regarded as one of the masters of vocal-instrumental polyphony of this century. His Stabat Mater, inspired by the "Pietà" of Michelangelo, is his last and arguably finest large-scale choral work, contrasting desolation of the spirit with supreme choral glory. First performed in 1965, the work was composed over a period of several years. The concert was recorded by BBC Radio 3, and was broadcast on Sunday 7 April at 14.00.

Then come to an open rehearsal on Wednesday 13 February at Gandhi Hall, Indian YMCA, 41 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6AQ, on the corner of Fitzroy Street and Grafton Way - nearest tubes are Warren Street and Great Portland Street. The rehearsal will start at 6.30pm, and last until 9pm, with a break at about 8pm.

The rehearsal will be taken by our dynamic German Chorus Master, Stefan Bevier. All music will be provided.

Verdi's Requiem is one of the glories of the symphonic choral repertoire. Experience it for yourself!

If this appeals, or if you have any questions, do e-mail openrehearsal@philharmoniachorus.co.uk. Or just turn up! We look forward very much to welcoming you.