Philharmonia Chorus records music for third series of Merlin
The Chorus recorded the choral music for the third series of the BBC Arthurian fantasy series Merlin in two sessions, one in August and the second in November. Composer Rob Lane and chorus master Deborah Miles-Johnson presided over the sessions, which took place at The Angel Studios, Islington, London. The new series of Merlin was screened on BBC1 on Saturday evenings from September to December 2010.
Beethoven 9 in London and Spain
On Friday, 9 April at 7.30pm, the Philharmonia Chorus performed Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in the Royal Festival Hall, London, with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under the exciting young conductor, Ilan Volkov. This concert completed its cycle of Beethoven symphonies. Two days later, on Sunday 11 April, the concert was repeated in the Auditorio Miguel Delibes, Valladolid, Spain. The London performance was recorded by BBC Radio 3 for future broadcast.
James MaMillan's St John Passion in King's College, Cambridge on Good Friday
The Philharmonia Chorus performed the St John's Passion by James MacMillan in King's College, Cambridge, with Mark Stone (baritone), the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the BBC Concert Orchestra was conducted by Stephen Cleobury in the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge on Friday, 2 April, Good Friday. James MacMillan's St John Passion is a large scale, dramatic presentation of the passion story. It is scored for two choruses - a Narrator Chorus (sung by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge), and Large Chorus (Philharmonia Chorus). The Chorus was prepared by Nicholas Chalmers. This is the first time the Chorus has worked with Nicholas, who is Assistant Chorus Master at English National Opera. King's College Cambridge was the perfect setting for the work, this being the culmination of this year's Easter at King's Festival in which MacMillan's music featured strongly. The performance was be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, the work's first broadcast performance.
Philharmonia Chorus Professional Singer Scheme launched
The Philharmonia Chorus has launched its Professional Singers Scheme. Applications were invited from singers in the first 10 years of their careers, and those successful at audition will be singing as members of the Chorus in concerts later this year. Auditions were held January 13-15 at the Music Studios in Marylebone Lane, London, and singers were heard by chorus masters Stefan Bevier and Deborah Miles-Johnson, with chorus accompanist Steven Rose.