Esa-Pekka Salonen opens his first season as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Philharmonia Orchestra with two exciting concerts: the first, a gala performance of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex, and the second, a performance of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. Other highlights include Alfred Brendel’s final London concert under Sir Charles Mackerras in October, and the second parts of the Philharmonia’s anniversary tributes to Messiaen and Vaughan Williams, featuring some of the composers’ greatest works. Christoph von Dohnányi will give two concerts at the end of October in his new role as Honorary Conductor for Life, and many other distinguished artists and audience favourites will rejoin the Orchestra throughout the season, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Boris Berezovsky, Charles Dutoit, Janine Jansen, Sergey Khachatryan, Vadim Repin and Simon Trpčeski. Pianists Rafal Blechacz and Benjamin Grosvenor and violinist Akiko Suwanai all make their Philharmonia London débuts in what will be a thrilling season of concerts.

Watch a season preview film with players from the Philharmonia Orchestra here.