Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 2024/25 Season Brochure

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is grateful to the following supporters

Premier Sponsors

Sponsors

Funded by Hotel Partner Higher Education Partner Corporate Members Media Partner In-kind Sponsors

Trusts and Foundations

Rathbones incorporating Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) | David M Robinson | Towergate Insurance Brokers | MGMA Architects | R S Clare & Co. Ltd | Kimpton

In Harmony Liverpool

Supporters of projects including In Harmony Liverpool and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company

The Grodner Family | The Eric and Margaret Kinder Charitable Trust | The Oglesby Charitable Trust In Harmony Fund | The Rushworth Foundation | The Johnson Foundation | Robin Bloxsidge & Nick Riddle | Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust | The Margaret Wethered Trust | Joyce Lund | Elizabeth Jolly Charitable Trust | The Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust | DWF Foundation | Hemby Charitable Trust | The Price Parry Charitable Trust | The Whitlock Blundell Charitable Trust | Peter Moore Foundation | Royal Northern College of Music | The Rushworth Trust | Liverpool South Rotary Club | Support in memory of Michael Dempsey | Elizabeth L Rathbone Charitable Trust | The Patricia Routledge Charitable Trust | Chrimes Family Charitable Trust | The Claude Ballard Southall Memorial Charity | The Steel Charitable Trust | Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund | Scops Arts Trust | The Martyn Donaldson Music Trust | Steve Morgan Foundation | The Harrison-Frank Family Foundation | Fenton Arts Trust | The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation | Thriplow Charitable Trust | Tim Jones in memory of Julia | In memory of David and Marge Moores | The Radcliffe Trust | The PH Holt Foundation | Future Talent | Three Monkies Trust | The John Thaw Foundation | Maria Björnson Memorial Fund | J A Shone Memorial Trust | Fidelio Charitable Trust | Earl of Derby's Charitable Trust | Garrick Charitable Trust | The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust | Jesuit Fund for Social Justice | The Karlsson Játiva Charitable Foundation - Signatur Programme | Anonymous donors

Other Public Donors

Welcome to the 2024/25 season

This season is one of real joy for me as it’s now my fourth year with this wonderful Orchestra. The way our artistic relationship has grown over this time has created a strong creative partnership and I can’t wait to continue to work together and make more beautiful music. This season I’m particularly looking forward to bringing music from South America to the Hall and continuing our journey of Bruckner, this time with the Ninth Symphony. This season we will also focus on repertoire surrounding my love of music for the voice.

We are honoured to have so many remarkable soloists join us this year, and I am thrilled to welcome our new Artist in Residence, baritone and conductor Benjamin Appl. Following last year’s magical performance, trumpeter Pacho Flores returns to perform a new concerto by Daniel Freiberg about the story of the Tango. Soprano Sarah Wegener will sing Strauss’ Four Last Songs, Víkingur Ólafsson will perform Brahms' Piano Concerto No.2, and after his iconic performance in Gianni Schicchi, bassbaritone Sir Bryn Terfel returns to the Hall in Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast. I am also delighted that Orchestra members Hannah Mackenzie and Richard Cowen (trumpets) will play Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Piccolo Trumpets with the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra as past members, and oboist Helena Mackie will be taking centre stage for Mozart’s Oboe Concerto.

We will also continue to champion new music, performing a number of premieres throughout the season,

including the world premieres of Nneka Cummins’ Flow State and new works from Grace-Evangeline Mason, Rushworth Composition Prize winner Sam Kane and runner up Phoenix Rousiamanis. UK premieres include Robin Haigh’s Concerto for Orchestra, Daniel Freiberg’s Historias de Flores y Tangos, Widmann's Schumannliebe and Mathilde Wantenaar’s Prélude à une nuit américaine.

Finally, none of these incredible programmes would be possible without the generous support of our Principal Funders, Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council; our sponsors; trusts and foundations; and the generosity of many individuals. I sincerely thank you for your continued support.

Domingo Hindoyan Chief Conductor

Critical Acclaim

Over the last season, the Orchestra have enjoyed positive press coverage for their live performances and recordings.

“Eclectic stylish programme of snaps and sparks… The season’s penultimate Prom showcased the imaginative programming of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s Domingo Hindoyan”

The Guardian, September 2023

“a vivid, focused performance… Eloquent and cohesive from the outset, the Philharmonic’s burnished string tone and soft-grained woodwinds proved the ideal match for soloist Sonya Yoncheva’s generous, opulent soprano.”

The Guardian, December 2023

“Sourced from a Liverpool Platinum Jubilee concert in May 2022, Manze’s interpretation of the piece [recording of Vaughan Williams' Job] is the most nuanced, the boldest and the best balanced available, and the whole album is a joy”.

The Times, July 2023

“I went to the Liverpool Philharmonic and was swept off my feet… The packed audience drank in every perfectly played note as we were surrounded by the deeply complex driving rhythms of Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. It was thrilling to hear these well-known melodies given the Royal [Liverpool] Phil treatment and see their conductor capture the fun and lively essence of the works.”

Liverpool Echo, September 2023

Pacho Flores

© Gareth Jones

“Before the first notes sounded, the atmosphere in a full Philharmonic Hall was electric. On walking on to the platform the admiration from the Liverpudlian audience was clear for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate Vasily Petrenko… Petrenko wove the story with magic and awe. Hushed pianissimos created a breathlessness as enchanted cor anglais solos created a bewitching atmosphere.”

Bachtrack, October 2023

“Bringing some vivid sunshine to a damp November evening, Hindoyan whisked us to Spain in Debussy’s Ibéria. Hindoyan’s relaxed approach brought something special from his RLPO players.”

Bachtrack, November 2023

“As always, Domingo Hindoyan and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra were magnificent and an incredible jewel our city cannot shout loudly enough about.”

Liverpool Echo, January 2024

“Simone Lamsma, one of the RLPO’s current artists-in-residence, joined them for a superb performance of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor…. Hindoyan ensured that the balance was just right, giving the soloist the right support and evoking Sibelius’ magical sound world. The RLPO’s wind players were on top form. The orchestra shone in the brass-dominated call to attention that started the finale. They negotiated the dramatic changes of mood and the intricate rhythms with verve.”

Bachtrack, January 2024

Vasily Petrenko © Mark McNulty

Domingo Hindoyan © Gareth Jones Simone Lamsma © Otto van den Toorn

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Multibuy Offer

Book 5 concerts and save!

Choose at least 5 concerts from the 2024/25 season, including all Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts*, Lunchtime, Close Up, Youth Orchestra/Choir, Chamber Music and Summer 2024 Season concerts and enjoy the following discounts:

Multibuy Benefits

A Liverpool Philharmonic multibuy offer (subscription) is a package of tickets for five or more concerts across the season. You can save up to 30%, and you’ll receive a range of other benefits, including:

Best seats in the house

You'll be able to order your tickets before they go on general public sale. The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have

Discounted tickets

Save up to 30%, depending on the number of concerts you book

Flat-rate booking fee

An £8 booking fee applies to all multibuy orders placed by phone, email or post before Friday 17 May. There is no booking fee applied to multibuy orders placed online. From 17 May, the standard booking fee of 9% per ticket applies

Book 5–8 concerts Save 10%

Book 9–15 concerts Save 15%

Book 16–25 concerts Save 20%

Book 26–44 concerts Save 25%

Book 45+ concerts Save 30%

Exchange privileges

Can’t make a concert? No problem! As a subscriber, you can return your tickets up to 24 hours in advance and we’ll provide you with a credit for another performance in the same season

Free tickets

Book tickets to 8 or more concerts and you’ll be entitled to a free ticket to an Ensemble 10:10 concert (see page 43) or any of our Youth Company concerts (see page 36)

'Roll over' your seats

Book 30+ concerts and you can ‘roll over’ your seats into next season, keeping your favourite seats for each Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performance. Please note, this does not apply to events outside Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

*Please note, subscription discounts do not apply for For You Blue: Celebrating The Beatles Greatest Hits 1967–1970.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 2024/25 Season

Season Opening Concert

Thursday 17 October 7.30pm

Sunday 20 October 2.30pm

Juan Bautista Plaza Vigilia

Strauss Four Last Songs

Mahler Symphony No.1

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Sarah Wegener soprano

Let’s begin at the beginning – with the sound of silence. That’s how the young Gustav Mahler launched his First Symphony, and there’s no more thrilling way to open the new season: this is music of breathless beauty and youthful passion, gripping drama and roof-raising joy. Chief Conductor

Domingo Hindoyan sets the scene with a gorgeous gift from his native Venezuela, and there’s pure loveliness from the German soprano Sarah Wegener in Richard Strauss’ heart-melting Four Last Songs.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Sponsored by

Domingo Hindoyan © Gareth Jones

The Planets

Saturday 26 October 7.30pm

Sunday Afternoon Mozart

Sunday 3 November 2.30pm

Walton Battle in the Air (from Battle of Britain)

Bliss Piano Concerto Holst Suite, The Planets*

Andrew Manze conductor

Mark Bebbington piano

Sopranos and Altos of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir*

So you think you know British music? Everyone loves Jupiter from Holst’s The Planets, but tonight you’ll hear so much more as Principal Guest Conductor Andrew Manze takes the Orchestra on a voyage to infinity and beyond. We’ll join William Walton in a Spitfire over wartime London – and travel to 1939 New York, where the young British firebrand Arthur Bliss brings the house down with a volcano of a piano concerto played by Mark Bebbington.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Robin Haigh Concerto for Orchestra (UK premiere)

Mozart Piano Concerto No.9

Sibelius Symphony No.3

Matthew Halls conductor

Angela Hewitt piano

Sibelius got caught in fog on the boat to England, and those mists of sound swirl around the melodies of his bracing Third Symphony. Mozart wrote his Ninth Piano Concerto to showcase his own youthful talents: he can’t be here, sadly, but Angela Hewitt has a hotline to his imagination. Guest conductor Matthew Halls also shares a joyous new mini masterpiece by the young British star Robin Haigh. We love it, and we think you will too.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Andrew Manze

© Chris Christodoulou

Angela Hewitt

© Richard Termine

Rachmaninov’s Symphony No.2

Thursday 7 November 7.30pm

Sir Bryn in Belshazzar’s Feast

Saturday 9 November 7.30pm

Anna Meredith Nautilus Barber Violin Concerto Rachmaninov Symphony No.2

Adam Hickox conductor

Ning Feng violin

Imagine the ultimate Romantic symphony: brooding passions, crashing storms and huge, blissful melodies that seem to unfurl without end. You’re thinking of Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony, the glorious climax of a concert that begins with Anna Meredith’s electrifying fanfare and stars violin phenomenon Ning Feng in Barber’s soaring Violin Concerto. In short, it’s a magnificent Liverpool debut for Adam Hickox – a young British conductor who’s already creating quite a stir.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Sponsored by

Anna Meredith Nautilus Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Walton Belshazzar’s Feast*

Adam Hickox conductor

Sir Bryn Terfel bass-baritone*

Ning Feng violin

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

Paul Whittaker OBE BSL Interpreter

October 1931: William Walton takes a huge choir and a giant orchestra, adds a couple of brass bands, and blasts British music skyhigh. Belshazzar’s Feast is big, brassy, and utterly outrageous – now add the one and only Sir Bryn Terfel, and you’ve got a seriously impressive celebration of the human voice. Anna Meredith’s Nautilus and Mendelssohn's gorgeous Violin Concerto – with international violin sensation Ning Feng returning as soloist – are the icing on the cake!

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

BSL interpretation provided at this performance – call 0151 709 3789 or email ticketing@liverpoolphil.com to book suitable seats.

Sir Bryn Terfel

© Mitch Jenkins

Adam Hickox

© Olivia

da Costa

An American in Paris

Thursday 14 November 7.30pm

Elfman Percussion Concerto

Copland Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo Gershwin An American in Paris

JoAnn Falletta conductor Colin Currie percussion

Danny Elfman is a legend of movie music, the man whose scores for Batman and Edward Scissorhands fused rock ‘n’ roll with orchestral technicolour to dazzling effect. His Percussion Concerto is a gripping way to get to know Colin Currie – as one critic put it, “surely the world’s finest and most daring percussionist”. And conductor JoAnn Falletta – an American in Liverpool – delivers a side-order of highkicking tunes and fascinating rhythms, courtesy of Aaron Copland and George Gershwin.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Post-concert Question Time

JoAnn Falletta, Colin Currie – see p.63 for details

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestras

Sunday 17 November 2.30pm

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Academy Orchestra: Dvořák (arr. Tim Jackson)

Symphony No. 9 ‘New World Symphony’

Alex Dunn conductor

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra: Vivaldi Concerto for Two Trumpets Elfman Wunderkammer

Robert Guy conductor

Hannah Mackenzie and Richard Cowen piccolo trumpets

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Academy Orchestra

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra brass players Hannah Mackenzie and Richard Cowen started out in Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (formerly Merseyside Youth Orchestra). Now, they’re back where it all began, taking to the stage alongside our current Youth Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as soloists in Vivaldi’s sparkling Concerto for Two Trumpets. In the first half, the talented Youth Academy Orchestra perform Dvořák's New World Symphony, arranged especially for them by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Tim Jackson.

Tickets

£18 (£9 under 25s) 10% discount for groups of 6+

JoAnn Falletta

© David Adam Beloff

Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton

Saturday 23 November 7.30pm

Programme to include music from: The Nightmare Before Christmas Batman

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Corpse Bride Beetlejuice

Anthony Gabriele conductor Kantos Chamber Choir

A magical celebration of one of cinema’s most inventive duos. Tim Burton’s films conjure up captivating worlds, and the incredible musical imagination of Danny Elfman brings those stories to life. Outrageously tuneful, deliciously dark or just plain fantastical, there’s no film composer quite like him. Tonight, the Orchestra celebrate music and storytelling, performing works from Beetlejuice, Batman, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Alice in Wonderland, Edward Scissorhands and more, all enhanced by visuals of original sketches, drawings and storyboards on the big screen.

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

Mozart’s Oboe Concerto

Sunday 1 December 2.30pm

Mendelssohn Symphony No.4, ‘Italian’ Mozart Oboe Concerto Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte Poulenc Sinfonietta

Karel Deseure conductor Helena Mackie oboe

December’s drawing in on Merseyside, but here at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall it’s summer all over again! Mendelssohn’s heart turned somersaults when he arrived in the sunshine of Italy, but today his Italian symphony is just the starting point for a whole afternoon of winter warmers. Karel Deseure conducts Ravel’s dreamy Spanish fantasy, Poulenc’s witty Sinfonietta, and Mozart’s ebullient Oboe Concerto – with the Orchestra’s very own Helena Mackie in the spotlight. It’s music that practically dances for joy.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Anthony Gabriele © Christopher Mason

© Helena Mackie

Tchaikovsky’s Piano

Concerto No.1

Thursday 5 December 7.30pm

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1

Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker (excerpts)

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Simon Trpčeski piano

Post-concert Question Time

Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan and Simon Trpčeski – see p.63 for details

Sponsored by

With some concerts it’s hard to say which bit we’re looking forward to the most! There’s never a dull moment when pianist Simon Trpčeski is in town: we love him, you love him, and we can’t wait to hear him bring all his charisma and flair to Tchaikovsky’s barnstorming First Piano Concerto. And then Domingo Hindoyan whirls us off to the Kingdom of Sweets, with a lavishly stuffed selection box of tuneful goodies from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Talk about a treat…

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Simon Trpčeski

© KulturOp

White Christmas

Saturday 14 December 7.30pm

Programme to include:

Let it Snow

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

When a Child is Born

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

Santa Baby

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

White Christmas

Richard Balcombe conductor

Graham Bickley, Stuart Matthew Price,

Katie Birtill and Laura Tebbutt vocalists

Paul Whittaker OBE BSL Interpreter

Dreaming of a White Christmas? Tonight, holiday wishes come true as we invite you to the most glamorous Christmas party in town. A team of top West End vocalists present a glittering evening of seasonal favourites –the songs everyone loves, from Let it Snow to Santa Baby, wrapped up with a bow and delivered with a swing by the fabulous full Orchestra. You’d better believe it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

BSL interpretation provided at this performance – call 0151 709 3789 or email ticketing@liverpoolphil.com to book suitable seats.

© Mark McNulty

Spirit of Christmas

Tuesday 17 December 7.30pm

Wednesday 18 December 7.30pm

Saturday 21 December 7.30pm

Monday 23 December 7.30pm

Sponsored by

Roderick Williams OBE presenter/ baritone

Matthew Hamilton conductor

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir

It's Liverpool's biggest Christmas party –and you’re invited! Come along and help us celebrate the festive season in our legendary Spirit of Christmas concerts. There’ll be classic carols, seasonal readings, audience singalongs, and this year, the fabulous Roderick Williams will be back at the Hall to not only deliver some musical magic, but host the entire extravaganza.

So join Roderick, Matthew, the Orchestra and our Choirs in Liverpool’s great musical festive tradition – it just wouldn’t be Christmas without it!

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

© Mark McNulty

Roderick Williams

© Theo Williams

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert: Film with Live Orchestra (PG)

Saturday 28 December 1pm & 6.30pm

Sunday 29 December 2.30pm

Cars fly, trees fight back, and monsters are on the loose in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! This concert features the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in high definition, on a giant screen, while the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score. Relive every magical moment as the music brings life to a story that has enchanted the world.

Performances last 3 hours including one interval. This performance will have subtitles.

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24 £18 Under-25s (limited availability)

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.

Benjamin Pope conductor

Thank You for the Music: ABBA on New Year’s Eve

Tuesday 31 December 7.30pm

Alfonso Casado Trigo conductor

Alice Fearn vocalist

Lucy May Barker vocalist

Rob Houchen vocalist

Luke Brady vocalist

Natalie Davies BSL Interpreter

BSL interpretation provided at this performance – call 0151 709 3789 or email ticketing@liverpoolphil.com to book suitable seats.

ABBA, the world’s number one 70s pop group, stormed onto the international stage back in 1974 with their Eurovision-winning song, ‘Waterloo’. Fifty years later, it’s safe to say that their music has stood the test of time, still filling dancefloors around the globe. Tonight, see in the New Year with the ultimate ABBA celebration –presented by four leading West End artists and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, get ready to experience over 20 of the group’s most famous songs including ‘Waterloo’, ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Take a Chance on Me’, ‘The Name of the Game’, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Money, Money, Money’, ‘Super Trouper’, ‘The Winner Takes It All’, the immortal ‘Thank You for the Music’ and of course, ‘Happy New Year’.

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

Artist in Residence

Benjamin Appl, baritone

He’s been no stranger to Liverpool Philharmonic over the years, stunning audiences with ‘unbearably moving’ (The Times) performances, so we’re delighted to announce Benjamin Appl as our Artist in Residence for the 2024/25 season.

Having sung in our annual performance of Messiah back in 2023, this season Benjamin will step onto the podium to conduct Handel’s epic masterpiece (11 January). He’ll also take our Chamber series by storm – first, he’ll be performing Widmann’s Schumannliebe (5 March), before reuniting with pianist James Baillieu for a very special recital. Benjamin will be presenting his own homage to his former teacher Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, weaving personal memories and anecdotes of the iconic baritone into an evening of truly magical music (18 June).

Messiah

Saturday 11 January 7pm (NB start time)

Handel Messiah

Benjamin Appl conductor

Anna Devin soprano

Silke Gäng mezzo-soprano

James Way tenor

Alex Rosen bass

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

Handel’s Messiah isn’t just the greatest story ever told, set to some of the most thrilling –and tuneful – music you’ll ever hear. It’s a celebration of the human voice, and the human spirit, in all their glory. Ev’ry Valley, For Unto Us a Child is Born, The Trumpet Shall Sound… you already know the melodies. But with the brilliant Benjamin Appl – a singer himself –conducting, there’s no more inspiring way to welcome the New Year. Hallelujah!

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

© Gareth Jones

© Lars Borges

Bernstein, Barber and Glass

Thursday 16 January 7.30pm

Barber Essay No.2

Philip Glass Violin Concerto No.1

Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

Bernstein Three Dance Episodes from On The Town

Joseph Young conductor

Chloë Hanslip violin

New York, New York – it’s a helluva town! Here in Liverpool, we’ve always had a special connection with our sister city across the pond, so naturally, the dynamic young American maestro Joseph Young is making his Liverpool debut with Leonard Bernstein’s electrifying, alldancing salute to the Big Apple. First, though, Chloë Hanslip weaves modern-day magic from Philip Glass – and if you enjoy Barber’s Adagio for Strings, you’re going to love his Essay No.2.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Leeds International Piano Competition Winner

Sunday 26 January 2.30pm

Piano Concerto* Bruckner Symphony No.9

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Winner of the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition piano

Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony is a piece that you simply must hear live. It’s sometimes compared to a “cathedral in sound”, and no question, it’s got majesty to spare. But Bruckner was on a lifelong spiritual quest, and Domingo Hindoyan feels a deep kinship with this very personal masterpiece. First, though, we welcome the winner of the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition, and while we don’t yet know who they are, we do know that they’ll be incredible!

*Concerto will be announced in September 2024 following the competition final.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Domingo Hindoyan © Gareth Jones

Chloë Hanslip © Kaupo Kikkas

Slavic Masterpieces

Thursday 6 February 7.30pm

Víkingur Ólafsson plays Brahms

Sunday 9 February 2.30pm

Kodály Dances of Galánta Bartók Violin Concerto No.2

Dvořák Symphony No.7

Domingo Hindoyan conductor Michael Barenboim violin

Fiery folk tunes meet the Orchestra – Domingo Hindoyan dives deep into a whirlwind of colour and rhythm, straight from the untamed musical imagination of Zoltán Kodály. A different kind of passion drives Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto, and violinist Michael Barenboim is just the artist to uncover both its poetry and its inner fire. Meanwhile, if you enjoy Dvořák’s ‘New World’ symphony, you simply have to hear the Seventh. This tempestuous portrait of a nation awakening to freedom packs a serious emotional punch.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Kodály Dances of Galánta Dvořák Scherzo capriccioso Brahms Piano Concerto No.2

Domingo Hindoyan conductor Víkingur Ólafsson piano

There’s only one Víkingur Ólafsson, and if you haven’t yet heard him, Brahms’ mighty Second Piano Concerto offers a magnificent introduction to this Icelandic piano sensation. “Everyone knows how to listen to music, just like we know how to drink water,” he says, “you just listen…” – and that’s all that you need do this afternoon. Domingo Hindoyan and the Orchestra will take care of the rest, and they’ll be bringing fire, as well as ice, in orchestral showpieces by Dvořák and Kodály.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Post-concert Question Time

Víkingur Ólafsson – see p.63 for details

Michael Barenboim

Shostakovich Symphony No.6

Thursday 13 February 7.30pm

Symphonic 90s

Friday 14 February 7.30pm

Missy Mazzoli River Rouge Transfiguration

Brahms Violin Concerto Shostakovich Symphony No.6

Lidiya Yankovskaya conductor Alena Baeva violin

When East meets West, anything becomes possible. For Russian-American conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya, it can mean Missy Mazzoli seeing heaven in a Detroit steelworks, or Brahms embracing his inner Hungarian in one of the sweetest and sunniest of great violin concertos. And above all, it can mean Dmitri Shostakovich combining tragedy, irony and pure knockabout farce in his extraordinary Sixth Symphony. A fitting tribute in his anniversary year.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Featuring 90s classics including ‘Let Me Entertain You’, ‘Love is All Around’, ‘Believe’, ‘The Show Must Go On’, ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘Vogue’, ‘Livin' la Vida Loca’, ‘Spice Up Your Life’ and more!

Steve Bell conductor

Annie Skates, Emma Kershaw, Steve Trowell and Lance Ellington vocalists

Natalie Davies BSL Interpreter

Let the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and a team of show-stopping vocalists entertain you as they celebrate boy bands, girl power, Britpop and ballads. You won’t want to miss a thing as you relive the decade that gave us Take That, Steps and Oasis and many more besides! One thing is certain… you won’t look back in anger after this evening. It would be a 'Tragedy’ to miss it!

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

BSL interpretation provided at this performance – call 0151 709 3789 or email ticketing@liverpoolphil.com to book suitable seats.

Lidiya Yankovskaya

© Karen Almond

LIMF Academy Orchestrated with Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Session Orchestra

Saturday 15 February 7.30pm

Dream Team

Thursday 20 February 7.30pm

Celebrating the talented young music creators of our city, this annual collaboration brings together musicians from Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Session Orchestra with the best of Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) Academy’s singer-songwriters. Join us for this showcase event featuring specially arranged cross-genre originals and covers.

Tickets

£10 (£5 under-25s)

José Pablo Moncayo Huapango Stravinsky Petrushka (1947)

Sarasate Zigeunerweisen

Daniel Freiberg Historias de Flores y Tangos

Domingo Hindoyan conductor Pacho Flores trumpet

Some say that Pacho Flores is the greatest trumpeter in the world. We just know that whenever he comes to Liverpool, things tend to catch fire! In carnival season, Domingo Hindoyan throws caution to the wind: expect Latin rhythms, Russian colours and of course – it goes without saying – Pacho’s own brand of pyrotechnics to light up the sky. How many different trumpets will he play this time? There’s only one way to find out…

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Sponsored by

© Gareth Jones

© Gareth Jones

Franck Symphony in D minor

Sunday 2 March 2.30pm

Debussy (arr. Ansermet) Six épigraphes antiques

Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No.5

Franck Symphony in D minor

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Javier Perianes piano

Never mind Poirot: here’s a real famous Belgian. César Franck seemed like the quiet type until, late in life, his music suddenly exploded with passion and power. His Symphony in D minor begins in gothic grandeur and ends with a tune that you’ll never forget. Domingo Hindoyan loves it, and it’s a thrilling complement to the sunlight and wit of Saint-Saëns’ delightful ‘Egyptian’ concerto. Javier Perianes has been called its “ideal interpreter”, and you’re about to hear why.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Javier Perianes © Igor Studio

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestras and Youth Choir

Sunday 16 March 2.30pm

Eroica

Thursday 20 March 7.30pm

Sunday 23 March 2.30pm

Programme to be announced.

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

Robert Guy conductor

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Academy Orchestra

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir

Simon Emery conductor

The full array of Liverpool Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestras and Youth Choir come together for a Sunday afternoon concert.

Tickets

£18 (£9 under-25s)

Beethoven Violin Concerto Beethoven Symphony No.3, ‘Eroica’

Domingo Hindoyan conductor Veronika Eberle violin

“If I understood war like I understand music, I would conquer him!” Ludwig van Beethoven was an idealist – and when his hero Napoleon betrayed the revolution, he tore up the score of his Eroica symphony. That same energy pulses through every bar of this game-changing work, and Domingo Hindoyan certainly won’t hold back tonight. But Beethoven was a poet, too, and when Veronika Eberle plays his radiant Violin Concerto, you’ll hear just how beautiful music can be.

As an added treat, her performance on Thursday 20 March will incorporate ingenious new cadenzas by Jörg Widmann: one of Germany’s boldest living composers shaking hands across the centuries with the greatest of them all.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

© Gareth Jones

Veronika Eberle

© Louie Thain

Mahler Symphony No.3

Saturday 29 March 7.30pm

Mahler Symphony No.3

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano

Sopranos and Altos of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir

Please note, this performance has no interval.

There’s nothing like thinking big. “The symphony should be like the world,” said Gustav Mahler, “it should embrace everything”. But even by his own epic standards, his Third Symphony is extraordinary: a whole concert, complete with distant trumpets, children’s songs, glittering marches and lofty mountaintop meditations. Domingo Hindoyan conducts it tonight, and with two choruses, a colossal orchestra and Liverpool’s own Jennifer Johnston joining the adventure, this should be a night and a half.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Supported by Robin Bloxsidge and Nick Riddle

Jennifer Johnston © Gerard Collett

From the New World

Thursday 3 April 7.30pm

Mathilde Wantenaar Prélude à une nuit

américaine

Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.1

Dvořák Symphony No.9, ‘From the New World’

Erina Yashima conductor

Anna Tsybuleva piano

Post-concert Question Time

Erina Yashima – see p.63 for details

Some pieces are classics for a reason – and let’s face it, when it comes to Dvořák’s New World symphony it’s been a long time since the Hovis ad! This great symphony of exile, hope and nostalgia has been touching hearts since 1893. Shostakovich’s uproarious Piano Concerto is a bit newer, and Anna Tsybuleva makes it sparkle tonight. First, though, guest conductor Erina Yashima shares a piece of pure magic from a young Dutch composer with a huge imagination.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Erina Yashima © Todd Rosenberg

Grieg Piano Concerto

Sunday 6 April 2.30pm

Humperdinck Prelude, Hansel and Gretel

Grieg Piano Concerto

Dvořák Symphony No.9 ‘From the New World’

Erina Yashima conductor

Anna Tsybuleva piano

All the right notes in rather more than just the right order! Grieg’s Piano Concerto is one of those pieces that absolutely everyone knows. The real skill is making it sound as fresh as new – and when the 2015 Leeds International Piano Competition winner Anna Tsybuleva joins forces with guest conductor Erina Yashima, we think the results will be magical. As for Humperdinck’s fairytale prelude and Dvořák’s New World symphony…well, enough said, really. It’s just tune after tune after tune.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass

Saturday 12 April 7.30pm

Beethoven Symphony No.6 Janáček Glagolitic Mass

Dinis Sousa conductor

Evelina Dobračeva soprano

Katarina Karnéus mezzo-soprano

Aleš Briscein tenor

Jan Martiník bass

Daniel Greenway organ

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

“The fragrance of the trees was like incense,” declared Leoš Janáček, “I felt a cathedral grow from a great forest”. And with its jubilant trumpets, thundering organ and raw, unbuttoned lust for life, there’s nothing quite like the Glagolitic Mass. It’s an ear-tingling, soul-shaking adventure of a lifetime for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and fastrising guest conductor Dinis Sousa – and there’s no better way to set the mood than with Beethoven’s leafiest (and loveliest) symphony.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Anna Tsybuleva © Daria Sozal

© Gareth Jones

Highlights from Wagner’s Ring Cycle

Thursday 1 May 7.30pm

All-Wagner programme including excerpts from Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung

Domingo Hindoyan conductor Elena Pankratova soprano

Richard Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle tells a tale of gods, monsters and heroes set in a thrillinglyimagined world of ancient myth. But the story he’s really telling is startlingly modern – and the ravishing, all-embracing power of Wagner’s music goes straight to your heart. A full performance takes four days but don’t worry – tonight Domingo Hindoyan and the great Wagnerian soprano Elena Pankratova bring you all the highlights (including the famous Ride of the Valkyries) in just two unforgettable hours!

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Douze Points: Eurovision Classics

Friday 9 May 7.30pm

Richard Balcombe conductor Owain Wyn Evans presenter

Annie Skates, Kate Graham, Steve Trowell and Andrew Playfoot vocalists

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra plays your favourite Eurovision hits!

Hello, this is Liverpool calling… From folk to power ballads, heavy metal to Europop, Eurovision has it all, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra are ready to embrace the musical madness, bringing you orchestral versions of iconic Eurovision songs. Hosted by the wonderful broadcaster Owain Wyn Evans (host of BBC Radio 2’s Early Breakfast Show) and joined by incredible vocalists, the Orchestra will take you on a trip around the continent, performing ‘Waterloo’, ‘Boom Bang a Bang’, ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’, ‘Stefania’ and many more. Tickets for this one will go fast, so don’t take too long ‘Making Your Mind Up’!

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

Elena Pankratova

© Vitaly Zapryagaev

Owain Wyn Evans © Gareth Jones

Opera North: Simon Boccanegra

Sunday 11 May 2.30pm

Verdi Simon Boccanegra

Antony Hermus conductor

PJ Harris stage director

Roland Wood Simon Boccanegra

Brindley Sherratt Jacopo Fiesco

Andrés Presno Gabriele Adorno

Mandla Mndebele Paolo Albiani

Set in 14th-century Genoa, Simon Boccanegra is a gripping story of political intrigue and personal tragedy. At its core is a decades-long feud between political rivals: Simon Boccanegra, former pirate and man of the people, and Jacopo Fiesco, a leading member of the nobility. But these enemies are bound together by the strongest of family ties: one is the father and the other the grandfather of the same woman, Amelia. With music full of darkhued grandeur and excitement, Opera North’s first ever performances of Simon Boccanegra follow their acclaimed concert stagings of large-scale Italian classics such as Turandot and Aida.

Concert Staging. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. This performance will last approximately 2 hours 50 minutes, including an interval.

Tickets £56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Tickets for this event include a £1 venue restoration levy, included in the ticket price. This fee supports building investment at the Grade II-listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Elgar’s Cello Concerto

Saturday 17 May 7.30pm

Roberto Sierra Fandangos

Elgar Cello Concerto

Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Pablo Ferrández cello

There’s rhythm in the air, and it’s not just confined to Roberto Sierra’s toe-tapping Fandangos. It’s the driving force behind the nostalgic melodies of Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances – the sound of a Russian composer stranded in Centerport, New York, and amid the freeways and palm trees of 1940s California. In between, Pablo Ferrández summons up the quiet power and deep poetry of Elgar’s hugely popular Cello Concerto. “A star in the making” says one critic: we say he’s already up there!

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Mahler Symphony No.4

Thursday 5 June 7.30pm

Strauss Don Juan Grace-Evangeline Mason new work (world premiere)

Mahler Symphony No.4

Ryan Wigglesworth conductor

Sophie Bevan MBE soprano

There’s nothing the human voice can’t do. In Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, it paints a picture of heaven at the end of a journey through blue skies, summer storms and shining mountain peaks. Meanwhile, Grace-Evangeline Mason’s exciting new piece has been created especially for our soloist Sophie Bevan, a soprano with a voice of pure gold. Strauss’ Don Juan kicks things off in truly swashbuckling style.

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Post-concert Question Time

Ryan Wigglesworth and Sophie Bevan – see p.63 for details

Sophie Bevan

© Sussie Ahlburg

Pablo Ferrández

© Kristian Schuller

A Night at the Musicals

Saturday 14 June 7.30pm

Michael England conductor

Sophie Evans, Laura Tebbutt, Scott Davies and Tyrone Huntley vocalists

Paul Whittaker OBE BSL Interpreter

BSL interpretation provided at this performance – call 0151 709 3789 or email ticketing@liverpoolphil.com to book suitable seats.

Want to take in a show? Why travel to London when tonight, the Orchestra and leading West End vocalists bring the musical hits right here to Hope Street? Packed with your favourite songs from Hamilton, Six, The Book of Mormon, Frozen, Aladdin, Mamma Mia!, Grease, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, expect showbiz glamour and knockout tunes. And in the stunning surroundings of Philharmonic Hall, every seat is the best seat in the house!

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

The Liverpool Songbook

Saturday 28 June 7.30pm

From down on the Docks to here at the Hall, music is the lifeblood of Liverpool – so much so that we’re officially a UNESCO City of Music. Tonight, we’re shining a spotlight on the artists who were made on Merseyside, opening the Liverpool Songbook and celebrating the iconic tracks that helped put our city on the musical map. With star singers from the West End and the full might of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra taking to the stage, get ready for hits from The Coral, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, OMD, Cilla Black, Elvis Costello, Ken Dodd, The Spinners, a little-known band called The Beatles, and many, many more.

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

Richard Balcombe conductor Graham Bickley presenter/vocalist

Sponsored by

Pictured above: The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas

White Nights

Thursday 3 July 7.30pm

Weinberg Rhapsody on Moldavian Themes

Shostakovich Suite for Variety Orchestra

Tchaikovsky Symphony No.4

Vasily Petrenko conductor

Hear the blazing fanfares that open Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony? For Tchaikovsky, they symbolised Fate, and the whole symphony simply bursts with melody and emotion. If you’ve already heard Vasily Petrenko conduct Russian music, you won’t need telling twice: things are about to get exciting, in a concert that begins with the flying fiddles of Weinberg’s Moldavian Rhapsody and features the unforgettable tunes of Shostakovich’s irreverent Suite. Trust us, you’ll know them when you hear them!

Tickets

£56, £51, £42, £36, £29, £19

Verdi’s Requiem

Saturday 12 July 7.30pm

Verdi Requiem

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Rachel Willis-Sørensen soprano

Annalisa Stroppa mezzo-soprano

A J Glueckert tenor

Nicholas Brownlee bass

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir

Paul Whittaker OBE BSL Interpreter

Judgement Day: drums thunder, trumpets blast, and a massed chorus cries out in terror. Verdi’s Requiem might not be what you expect from religious music. But it’s exactly what you’d expect from the grand master of Italian opera, and with the full Choir joined by four world-class soloists, hold on to your seats and prepare to be overwhelmed as Domingo Hindoyan ends our season of song by taking you to the end of the world – and back again.

Tickets

£62, £54, £45, £40, £37, £24

BSL interpretation provided at this performance – call 0151 709 3789 or email ticketing@liverpoolphil.com to book suitable seats.

Supported by

© Vasily Petrenko

Rachel Willis-Sørensen

© Lukas Beck

Youth Company Festival 2025

Over two weeks, 450 young musicians aged 7-21 will take to the stage here at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in this incredible showcase of the region’s brightest young musical talent.

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Brass Band

Saturday 5 July 1.3opm

Simon Cowen conductor

Starting your summer with a bang, Youth Brass Band return to the main stage at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall to perform an exciting programme of works, showcasing the best of Liverpool’s emerging brass talent.

Tickets

£18 (£9 under-25s) 10% discount for groups of 6+

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir: 30th Birthday Concert

Sunday 6 July 6.30pm

Ali White conductor

Simon Emery conductor

Ian Stephens conductor

Paul Whittaker OBE BSL Interpreter

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir turns 30 in 2025! To celebrate, we’ll be welcoming some former Youth Choir members back to the Hall, and these very special guest artists will showcase just how Youth Choir has impacted the lives of so many young singers over the years. Bringing together Melody Makers, Liverpool Philharmonic Children's Choir, Cambiata Choir and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir, this performance will showcase the best of the city's young singers aged 7 to 19.

Tickets

£18 (£9 under-25s) 10% discount for groups of 6+

BSL interpretation provided at this performance – call 0151 709 3789 or email ticketing@liverpoolphil.com to book suitable seats.

© Gareth Jones

© Gareth Jones

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestras Celebration Concert

Sunday 13 July 7.30pm

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Academy Orchestra

Ben Draper conductor

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

Robert Guy conductor

Youth Company’s epic summer festival continues with a celebration of our incredible Youth Orchestras. This high energy performance will showcase the talent of the newest generation of classical musicians.

Tickets

£18 (£9 under-25s)

10% discount for groups of 6+

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Session Orchestra

Saturday 19 July 7.30pm

Youth Company's summer celebration culminates in Youth Session Orchestra presenting an exciting concert of pop classics as well as original new songs written by the talented young members of the band.

Tickets

£18 (£9 under-25s)

10% discount for groups of 6+

© Gareth Jones

© Gareth Jones

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at The Tung Auditorium Summer 2024 Season

Don’t miss our series of concerts at The Tung Auditorium. The Tung Auditorium is in the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre on the corner of Grove Street and Oxford Street, 10 minutes' walk from Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, with nearby parking at Paddington Village Car Park.

Windrush, The Journey

Friday 31 May 2024 7.30pm

Saturday 1 June 2024 7.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Joseph Bologne le Chevalier de Saint-Georges L'Amant Anonyme (Extracts)

Overture to L'Amant Anonyme

Depuis longtemps mon coeur soupire (Act 1, Scene 1)

Tant de Constance (Act 1, Scene 2)

Son amour, Sa constance extrême (Act 1, Scene 3)

Enfin une foule… L’Amour, deviant propice (Act 2, Scene 1)

Aimer sans pouvoir le dire (Act 2, Scene 2)

Non, non je ne puis rien entendre (Act 2, Scene 3)

Ah! Quel trouble

Richard Thompson Aspects of Othello & Desdemona

Des Oliver “Windrush Opera” (Scenes 3 and 4)

Jeri Lynne Johnson conductor

Singers from Pegasus Opera Company

Pegasus Opera, in partnership with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, present

Windrush, The Journey

years, Pegasus Opera Company has fearlessly paved the way for diverse talent in opera. Today, we’re paying tribute to Windrush, showcasing a rich tapestry of music and storytelling, and celebrating Black classical composers: past, present and future. Through the outstanding music of Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Richard Thompson and Des Oliver – three composers who represent different eras of Black history – we’ll honour the legacy of the Windrush generation with an exciting fusion of classical music, steel pan, jazz and blues.

A fascinating immersive exhibition showcasing the work of Black British composers through music, photographs and local Windrush testimony will accompany this concert in The Tung Auditorium Foyer.

Tickets

£20

Four Seasons of Buenos Aires

Sunday 9 June 2024 2.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Arvo Pärt Summa

Bach Concerto for Two Violins in D minor * #

Grieg Holberg Suite

Piazzolla Four Seasons of Buenos Aires *

Sarasate Introduction and Tarantella *

Simone Lamsma violin*/director

Eva Thorarinsdottir violin #

Strings of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s string section take centre stage in a concert that spans both continents and centuries. Artist in Residence Simone Lamsma brings the many moods and colours of Argentina’s capital to the stage as she takes on Piazzolla’s passionate Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, then treats us to Sarasate’s enchanting Introduction and Tarantella. Heading north on our musical journey, Eva Thorarinsdottir joins Simone for Bach’s iconic Double Concerto, and we experience Arvo Pärt’s enigmatic Summa and the celebratory sounds of Grieg’s Holberg Suite.

Tickets

£29

A Little Night Music

Sunday 23 June 2024 2.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Bach Brandenburg Concerto No.3

Bach Concerto for oboe d’amore

Marianna Martines Overture / Symphony in C

Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Dittersdorf Concerto in A for oboe d’amore

Thelma Handy violin / director

Jonathan Small oboe d’amore

Led by violinist Thelma Handy, the Orchestra showcases five bright, vibrant and perfectly playful pieces. There’s Bach’s lively Brandenburg Concerto No.3 and the irresistible romance of Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik, as well as rarer gems from the likes of Marianna Martines – a big name in 18th-century Vienna whose work is not nearly performed enough today. Meanwhile, in his last ever performance with the Orchestra, Jonathan Small delivers a masterclass on the oboe d’amore – the oboe’s softer and more reclusive cousin – via works by Bach and Dittersdorf.

Tickets

£29

Thelma Handy

© Lindsay Burgess

Simone Lamsma

© Otto van den Toorn

Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence

Thursday 27 June 2024 7.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Rossini Overture, The Barber of Seville

Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence

Bizet Symphony in C

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Tchaikovsky struggled to complete Souvenir de Florence – but you wouldn’t be able to tell. A work inspired by fond memories of time in Italy, the piece came at the height of the composer’s career, and its power and passion really stop you in your tracks. Here, it sits in between the Overture from Rossini’s comic opera The Barber of Seville – a piece whose high energy and drama even inspired a 1950 episode of Looney Tunes – and Bizet’s impressive Symphony in C, a work the composer created when he was just 17 years old.

Tickets

£29

Domingo Hindoyan © John Millar

The Silent Planet

Thursday 4 July 2024 7.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Clark Rundell conductor

Will Pound harmonica/melodeon

Delia Stevens percussion

Phoebe Hanson, Force of Nature climate speaker

Ian Gardiner orchestrator

Musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music

Award-winning BBC Radio 3 presenter, Delia Stevens and three-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year nominee, Will Pound, present an unprecedented collaboration with the youth-led global climate non-profit organisation, Force of Nature. Alongside members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Northern College of Music they give the world premiere of their new double percussion and harmonica/ melodeon concerto at The Tung Auditorium. To mark Holst's 150th anniversary in 2024, Stevens and Pound reimagine his iconic Planets suite – adding an additional movement which Holst chose to silence as "astrologically insignificant" – Earth.

Tickets

£20

Serenades

Thursday 26 September 2024 7.30pm

Sunday 29 September 2024 2.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Dvořák Wind Serenade

Hindemith Kammermusik No.5

Brahms Serenade No.2

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Nicholas Bootiman viola

A tortured genius, Brahms was known for his serious and sombre style, but here we see a different side to the composer, as we’re treated to the whimsical and sun-drenched Serenade No.2. And, rumour has it we can thank Brahms for another work in today’s programme. Dvořák’s Wind Serenade – a fun and joyous celebration of the Czech folk tradition – was allegedly inspired by music the composer heard while on his way to visit, you guessed it, Johannes Brahms.

Tickets

£29

Clark Rundell

© Benjamin Ealovega

© Nicholas Bootiman

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Jasdeep Singh Degun, sitar

Wednesday 9 October 2024 7.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Prokofiev Classical Symphony

Jasdeep Singh Degun Arya, Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra

Jasdeep Singh Degun (arr. Gupta)

Lament

Beethoven Symphony No.2

Harish Shankar conductor

Jasdeep Singh Degun sitar

Harkiret Bahra tabla

Winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society's 2024 Instrumentalist of the Year Award, Jasdeep Singh Degun was born in Leeds, but his music evokes whole worlds, and his sitar playing…well, let’s just say that it has to be heard to be believed. Tonight at The Tung Auditorium he joins the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and tabla virtuoso

Harkiret Bahra to perform his own Sitar Concerto Arya – a lyrical, brilliantly imaginative tale of different musical cultures, united by a willingness to explore, and (above all) by the spirit of song. A night of wonder with an artist born to inspire.

Tickets

£29

Jasdeep Singh Degun © Robert Leslie

Ensemble 10:10

Ensemble 10:10 is Liverpool Philharmonic’s contemporary music ensemble.

It celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022, at the same time it became resident at The Tung Auditorium in Liverpool University’s Yoko Ono Lennon Centre. The ensemble is central to Liverpool Philharmonic’s commitment to new writing, and, in particular, supporting composers from and associated with Liverpool and the North West region. The group is integrated into the regular Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert series and the flexibility of its ensemble allows it to bring the widest range of new music and great modern classics to its audiences here in Liverpool and around the UK.

Ensemble 10:10

Wednesday 20 November 7.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Phoenix Rousiamanis New work (world premiere commissioned by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society)

Elliott Carter Instances

Knussen Ophelia Dances, Book 1

Berio Rendering

Manoj Kamps conductor

Inspired by unfinished symphonic sketches by Schubert, Luciano Berio decided to “cement the gaps” with his own musical reflections and restorations and created a 20th century classic. Oliver Knussen, inspired by Shakespeare’s Ophelia chanting “snatches of old tunes”, snatched snippets of Schumann and Debussy for his highly compressed set of dances. In the 21st century Elliott Carter’s last orchestral piece, a “series of short interrelated episodes”, is an often lyrical and moving farewell to life, whilst a similar dark beauty occupies the genre defying music of North West based Phoenix Rousiamanis. Manoj Kamps makes their debut with Ensemble 10:10.

Tickets

£20

Manoj Kamps © Juri Hiensch

Ensemble 10:10

Wednesday 22 January 7.30pm The Tung Auditorium

Sam Kane New work – 2023 Rushworth Composition Prize Winner (world premiere)

Kareem Roustom Violin Concerto No.1 Berg Chamber Concerto

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Michael Barenboim violin

William Bracken piano

Rushworth Composition Prize supported by

Music from different worlds and centuries collide in Domingo Hindoyan’s debut with Ensemble 10:10. Featuring Liverpool's own William Bracken on piano, Alban Berg's 1920s masterpiece was fashioned in the intellectual cauldron of Vienna. Kareem Roustom’s Violin Concerto was inspired by a musical phrase from a Mozart concerto which invoked his own Arabic musical heritage and language, and will be played tonight by its dedicatee, Michael Barenboim. On the other hand, Sam Kane –winner of the 2023 Rushworth Composition Prize – takes his musical roots from his own Irish ancestry.

Tickets

£20

Michael Barenboim © Neda Navaee

Ensemble 10:10

Wednesday 5 March 7.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Nneka Cummins Flow state (world premiere)

Goehr Sinfonia

Boulez Mémoriale

Widmann Schumannliebe*

Geoffrey Paterson conductor

Benjamin Appl baritone*

Jörg Widmann’s love of Schumann impelled him to reflect, reconsider and then weave his own instrumental tapestry in and around Schumann’s great song cycle Dichterliebe, sung tonight by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Artist in Residence, Benjamin Appl. Geoffrey Paterson returns to Ensemble 10:10 to guide us through this and the contrasting musical landscapes of Alexander Goehr and Pierre Boulez (to honour his 100th anniversary), and introduce new music from Liverpool-born former Rushworth Composition Prize winner, Nneka Cummins.

Tickets

£20

Ensemble 10:10

Saturday 26 April 7.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Kapustin Concerto for Eleven Instruments

Carmel Smickersgill Charcoal

Howard Skempton Ballade*

Steve Reich Pulse

Graham Fitkin Plan B*

Clark Rundell conductor

Apollo Saxophone Quartet*

We celebrate the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking Apollo Saxophone Quartet with two of the many wonderful pieces they have commissioned from UK composers through the years. Clark Rundell returns to join in the celebrations and adds one of his favourite Steve Reich pieces, a jazz-infused work of virtuosity by Ukrainian Nikolai Kapustin, and replays a piece by talented North West composer Carmel Smickersgill.

Tickets

£20

Geoffrey Paterson © Benjamin Ealovega

Apollo Saxophone Quartet © Charlotte Wellings

Chamber Music

Come and hear some of the world’s greatest artists and ensembles in Liverpool Philharmonic’s Chamber Music series. Concerts take place in the stunning surroundings of The Tung Auditorium.

Chilingirian Quartet

Sunday 27 October 2.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Mozart String Quartet K428

Haydn String Quartet Op.64 No.3

Komitas/Aslamazyan Armenian Songs and Dances

Borodin String Quartet No.2

Levon Chilingirian violin

Mark Butter violin

Simon Rowland-Jones viola

Stephen Orton cello

Supported by

‘The Chilingirian String Quartet, the sensational British ensemble, has been known to provoke whoops and cheers out of ordinarily staid audiences.’ The Toronto Star

‘One of the great string quartets of our day.’ The Boston Globe

Four wonderful musicians; one extraordinary sound: there’s a reason why the Chilingirian String Quartet is a legend and this great British string quartet has been astonishing audiences for over fifty years. Today they play three solid gold classics (including Borodin’s ravishing Second Quartet) as well as a magical tribute to their Armenian-born founder and leader, Levon Chilingirian himself.

Tickets

£29

Chilingirian Quartet © Susan Pattie

Musical Postcards: Kathryn Stott’s Final Recital

Wednesday 11 December 7.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Bach Prelude and Fugue No.1

Lili Boulanger Thème et Variations

Fauré Barcarolle No.4

Ravel Jeux d’eau

Grieg Wedding Day at Troldhaugen

Piazzolla (arr. Kyoko Yamamoto)

Milonga del Angel

Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue No.24

Graham Fitkin Scent

Rodgers and Hammerstein/Hough

My Favourite Things

Caroline Shaw Gustave Le Gray

Chopin Mazurka Op.17 No.4

Grainger Molly on the Shore

Carl Vine The Anne Landa Preludes: No.1 –Short Story

Graham Fitkin Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly

Kathryn Stott piano/presenter

Ever since the 1970s, the artistry of pianist

Kathryn Stott has won the hearts of audiences and colleagues alike. Now she’s decided to retire, and for this, her very last public concert, she comes home to the place where it all began: Liverpool. “I have enjoyed the most wonderful and fulfilling career,” she says. Tonight, Kathy plays the pieces she loves best of all, as she bids farewell to the concert stage and looks forward to a new chapter in a remarkable career.

Tickets

£29

Kathryn Stott © Jacqui Ferry

Paul Lewis, piano

Sunday 16 February 2.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Schubert Piano Sonatas in C Major, D840; in A Major, D664; and in A minor, D845

Paul Lewis CBE piano

"With someone like Schubert, there are many layers, many things being said at the same time, shedding different light. The tricky thing, the point, is to get the delicate balance that conveys the message." Paul Lewis

Dreamer, poet, radical, and visionary, Franz Schubert was a composer who stood between worlds – and Paul Lewis’ astounding performances are coming to define the way our generation understands his music. Today Lewis brings all his energy and insight to Schubert’s late piano sonatas: a trilogy of masterpieces charged with beauty, power and something more – something that goes far beyond words. But if anyone can make it speak, it’s Paul Lewis.

Tickets

£29

Benjamin Appl, baritone celebrates Dietrich FischerDieskau

Wednesday 18 June 7.30pm

The Tung Auditorium

Programme to include songs by Schubert, Brahms, Strauss, Britten, Barber, Mahler, Schumann, Wolf, Verdi, Bach, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and more.

Benjamin Appl baritone

James Baillieu piano

"His singing reached so many people and he touched their hearts with the art of song. For me he was more than just a teacher. Thank you, Dieter." Benjamin Appl

For millions, the German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (1925-2012) was one of the greatest singers of modern times. But for Artist in Residence Benjamin Appl he was a hero, a mentor, and – above all – a friend. Crafted from Appl’s personal memories, and incorporating letters, readings and anecdotes from Fischer-Dieskau’s incredible career, this is a song recital with an extraordinary difference: an intensely personal tribute from a brilliant young singer to the artist who changed his life.

Tickets

£29

Paul Lewis

© Kaupo Kikkas

Benjamin Appl

© David Ruano

Join the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra ensembles and guest artists in the intimate and informal surrounds of our Music Room.

For 2024/25, we are introducing reserved seating at all our Music Room concerts. To view available seating and book your ticket, please refer to the individual event pages on the website, or call the box office to discuss your seating options.

Close Up Concerts Liverpool Wind Collective

Monday 14 October 8pm

Richard Rodney Bennett Travel

Notes 2

Bozza Trois Pièces Pour Une Musique de Nuit

Françaix Quatuor

Schulhoff Bassnachtigall Tansman Suite for Wind Trio Villa-Lobos Wind Quartet

Helen Wilson flute

Ruth Davies oboe

Ausiàs Garrigós Morant clarinet

Gareth Twigg bassoon

There’s nothing to match the colours of a woodwind ensemble – put four terrific wind players together and it’s like opening a musical paintbox! Four of the Orchestra’s own woodwind superstars travel from swinging London to the jungles of Brazil in this joyous recital.

Tickets

£21, £18

Gareth Twigg

©

Gareth Jones

Equilibrium Advent

Monday 2 December 8pm

Emilie Mayer String Quartet No.1

Grażyna Bacewicz String Quartet No.3

Florence Price Folk songs in Counterpoint

Jessie Montgomery Voodoo Dolls

William Grant Still Danzas de Panama

Rebecca Clarke Combined Carols

Kate Richardson violin

Kate Marsden violin

Rachel Jones viola

Hilary Browning cello

There’s no limit to the stories that can be told by a string quartet. The Equilibrium Quartet, four members of the Orchestra who aim to rebalance inequality in music, present a chamber concert with a fascinating difference. They'll perform works from the first lady of Polish music, Grażyna Bacewicz, Panamanian folk, and the beautiful yet largely undiscovered music of Emilie Mayer, before easing gently into the Christmas season with Rebecca Clarke’s Combined Carols.

Tickets

£21, £18

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Brass Band

Wednesday 11 December 7.30pm

Simon Cowen conductor

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Brass Band continues to excite and inspire the next generation of the North West’s young brass players. Under the baton of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s section leader trombone, Simon Cowen, join Youth Brass Band for a thrilling performance of Brass Band classics.

Tickets £10 (£5 under-25s)

Myth and Legend

Monday 13 January 8pm

Thea Musgrave Narcissus

Valerie Coleman Legends

Jolivet Chant de Linos

Debussy Syrinx

Liszt Legend No.1, Francis of Assisi

Preaching to the Birds

Brian Ferneyhough Cassandra's Dream

Song

Carl Reinecke Sonata Undine

Helen Wilson flute

Benjamin Powell piano

The Ancient Greeks believed that the flute was the oldest of all musical instruments, created by the god Pan himself. Debussy’s retelling of that myth is at the heart of this ravishing recital from the Orchestra’s flautist Helen Wilson: an evening of magical melody and wondrous new sounds.

Tickets

£21, £18

Pixels Ensemble: Portrait of composer

Rebecca Clarke

Monday 10 February 8pm

Midsummer Moon, for violin and piano

Songs with piano (selection)

Cortège, for piano

Binnorie, a ballad, for voice and piano

Lullaby, for violin and piano

Old English Songs and Irish Country Songs, for voice and violin

Three movements, for two violins and piano

Anna Crookes voice

Thelma Handy violin

Sophie Rosa violin

Ian Buckle piano

Rebecca Clarke’s output ranges from playful folk song arrangements to dark, paganinspired instrumental pieces. In this programme, Pixels Ensemble showcases the variety and sophistication of this passionate and independent English composer.

Tickets

£21, £18

Helen Wilson

© Gareth Jones

Thelma Handy

© Gareth Jones

Masters of Song

Monday 10 March 8pm

Schumann Adagio and Allegro

Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole

Britten Cello Sonata

Janáček Pohádka

Poulenc Cello Sonata

Jonathan Aasgaard cello

Ian Buckle piano

Songs, dances and secrets… Tonight, Jonathan Aasgaard, leader of the Orchestra’s cello section, joins pianist Ian Buckle in a recital that embraces both the smoky Spanish flavours of Manuel de Falla, and Benjamin Britten’s intensely personal tribute to a Russian great. And the cello’s magical, melodic tones allow these songs to simply soar.

Tickets

£21, £18

Liverpool String Quartet

Monday 24 March 8pm

Mendelssohn Capriccio in E minor Op.81 No.3

Finzi By Footpath and Stile for Baritone and String Quartet

Barber Dover Beach Op.3 for Baritone and String Quartet

Elgar String Quartet in E minor Op.83

Róisín Verity violin

Sarah Hill violin

Dani Sanxis viola

Nick Byrne cello

Armand Rabot baritone

Something magical happens when a human voice joins the four wordless singers of a string quartet. Baritone Armand Rabot joins the Liverpool String Quartet in ravishing, heartfelt mini-masterpieces by Gerald Finzi and Samuel Barber.

Tickets

£21, £18

Jonathan Aasgaard © Gareth Jones Liverpool String Quartet © Emily Mowbray

Youth Company New Works

Concert with the Equilibrium String Quartet

Wednesday 9 April 7.30pm

Ormonde Ensemble

Monday 12 May 8pm

Join us for an evening of new music, composed by Youth Company members taking part in the Rushworth Young Composers and Songwriters programme this year. The Equilibrium String Quartet performs works from the newest generation of contemporary composers.

Tickets

£10 (£5 under-25s)

10% discount for groups of 6+

Ligeti Six Bagatelles

Germaine Tailleferre (arr. Prince)

Quatuor à cordes

Valerie Coleman Afro-Cuban Concerto

Isa Gibbs Dreamery

Nielsen Wind Quintet Op.43

Florence Price (arr. Prince) Adoration

Cara Houghton flute

Helena Mackie oboe

Isaac Prince clarinet

Bruce Parris bassoon

Alec Ross horn

Alongside Ligeti’s musical puzzles and Nielsen’s captivating Wind Quintet, the Ormonde Ensemble shine a spotlight on incredible works by female composers and those from underrepresented backgrounds. They’ll perform some exciting new arrangements and Isa Gibbs’ Dreamery – a musical journey through a factory where dreams are made…

Tickets

£21, £18

© Helena Mackie

© Gareth Jones

Lunchtime Concerts

The Lunchtime Concerts series is sponsored by

Join the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra ensembles and guest artists in the intimate and informal surroundings of the Music Room.

For 2024/25, we are introducing reserved seating at all our Music Room concerts. To view available seating and book your ticket, please refer to the individual event pages on the website, or call the box office to discuss your seating options.

Leeds International Piano Competition Recital I

Monday 23 September 1pm

A showcase piano recital from the third prize winner of the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition. Details to be announced after the Competition final in September 2024.

Tickets

£13, £9

Leeds International Piano Competition Recital II

Tuesday 24 September 1pm

A showcase piano recital from the second prize winner of the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition. Details to be announced after the Competition final in September 2024.

Tickets

£13, £9

Marcel Becker, double bass and David Dear, piano

Monday 21 October 1pm

Handel Concerto No.3 for Double Bass

Bruch Kol Nidrei Op.47

Schubert Arpeggione Sonata in A minor

Marcel Becker double bass

David Dear piano

The double bass might be the largest of string instruments, but it has the soul of a great singer. In the hands of the Orchestra’s principal bass Marcel Becker it’ll stretch its wings in music by Handel, Bruch – the passionate Kol Nidrei – and Schubert.

Tickets

£13, £9

Organ Sleigh Ride

Monday 23 December 1pm

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Bach Chorale Prelude 'In Dulci Jubilo'

Louis-Claude Daquin Noël X in G major

'Grand Jeu et Duo'

Bach Fuga sopra il Magnificat

Brahms Chorale Prelude: Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen

Henri Mulet Noël (Esquisses Byzantines)

Richard Elliott Variations on 'I Saw Three

Ships Come Sailing In'

Hérold (arr. Tracey) Clog Dance

Leroy Anderson Sleigh Ride

Garth Edmundson Toccata Prelude ‘Von

Himmel hoch da komm ich her'

Ian Tracey organ

Liverpool’s City Organist Ian Tracey needs no introduction. Today he puts the Hall’s magnificent organ through its paces in a recital that celebrates four centuries of festive cheer –from Bach to Sleigh Ride!

Tickets

£13

Ian Tracey

© Ben Anguige

Marcel Becker

© Gareth Jones

Grosvenor String Quartet

Monday 27 January 1pm

Purcell Fantasias in Four Parts

Webern Langsamer Satz Mendelssohn String Quartet in F minor, Op.80

James Pattinson violin

Emily Mowbray violin

Rachel Jones viola Simon Denton cello

Mendelssohn was a poet in sound, and when his beloved sister died, he poured all his anguish into a string quartet like no other. The Grosvenor Quartet steps into his imagination today.

Tickets £13, £9

Ensemble of St. Luke’s

Monday 24 February 1pm

St Patrick’s Day Concert

Monday 17 March 1pm

Shostakovich String Quartet No.8

Ravel String Quartet in F

Alexander Marks violin Elizabeth Lamberton violin

Robert Shepley viola Gethyn Jones cello

Ravel’s String Quartet is a vision of beauty from turnof-the-century Paris.

Shostakovich’s Eighth could be from another world: an explosive Cold War thriller, with nothing off limits. The Ensemble of St Luke’s brings the same fire to both.

Tickets £13, £9

Programme to include:

Hamilton Harty In Ireland

John Field Nocturnes

Turlough O’Carolan Carolan’s Concerto

Cormac Henry flute Elizabeth McNulty harp

What better way to mark St Patrick’s Day than a concert packed with Irish traditional music through the ages? The Orchestra’s Section Leader

flute Cormac Henry and Section Leader harp

Elizabeth McNulty celebrate their Celtic roots, performing songs, jigs, reels and slow airs from various collectors of traditional Irish music.

Tickets

£13, £9

Summer Organ Recital

Monday 19 May 1pm

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Bromborough Quartet

Monday 9 June 1pm

Purcell (arr. Tracey) Rondeau from 'Abdelazer'

Michael Christian Festing Largo, Allegro, Aria and Two Variations

Bach Fantasia in G

Haydn Three Pieces for a Mechanical Clock

Marco Enrico Bossi Scherzo in G

Joseph Jongen Chant de Mai

Noel Rawsthorne Prelude on 'A Londonderry Air'

Gordon Balch Nevin Scherzo-Toccatina

'Will o' the Wisp'

Walton (arr. Tracey) Coronation March: Crown Imperial

Ian Tracey organ

From the most delicate of musical miniatures, to the full splendour of Walton’s Crown Imperial, there’s nothing that can’t be played on a great organ. And there’s no organist alive who knows the Philharmonic Hall organ better than Liverpool’s City Organist Ian Tracey.

Tickets

£13

Haydn String Quartet Op.64 No.5 ‘Lark’ Beethoven String Quartet Op.18 No.3

Emily Mowbray violin

Rebecca Steventon violin

Ian Fair viola

Mark Lindley cello

Haydn never had a pupil quite as unruly as the young Beethoven – but then, he didn’t mind breaking the odd rule himself! The Bromborough Quartet plays favourite quartets by each composer – music packed with warmth, melody and quite irresistible wit.

Tickets

£13, £9

Rebecca Steventon

© Gareth Jones

© Ben Anguige

Family Concerts

The whole family is invited to experience the power of a full symphony orchestra at these lively, interactive concerts. Fidgeting is allowed and fancy dress is positively encouraged!

Concerts last approximately one hour. Tickets for children under 18 months are free, but must be booked in advance. Family concerts are most suitable for children aged 5-10 years. Children’s snack packs are available to pre-order at each event.

Family Concert: Santa Comes to Town!

Saturday 21 December 11.30am & 2.30pm Sunday 22 December 11.30am & 2.30pm*

Programme to include music from Jonathan Dove's Gaspard’s Christmas and other seasonal favourites

Michael Seal conductor

Alasdair Malloy presenter

Zeb Soanes narrator

Liverpool Philharmonic Children’s Choirs

Kate Labno BSL Interpreter

Join the merry musicians of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in the fabulously festive Philharmonic Hall for a stocking-full of sensational seasonal songs and surprises. Taking centre stage is the story of how Gaspard the Fox saved Christmas and we’ll also be meeting other animals who are part of the Christmas celebrations – including a certain red-nosed reindeer and a partridge in a pear tree… Even Santa himself takes time out to come along, so don’t miss it!

Tickets

Adult: £30, £19, £16

Child: £19, £15, £11

BSL interpretation provided at the 2.30pm performance on Sunday 22 December –call 0151 709 3789 or email ticketing@ liverpoolphil.com to book suitable seats.

Family Concert: The Fantastic Philharmonic Time Machine

Sunday 9 March 2.30pm

Matthew Lynch conductor

Alasdair Malloy presenter

Join the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as they program the Fantastic Philharmonic Time Machine and take us Back to the Future to some fascinating periods in world history, including Ancient Egypt and the Era of the Dinosaurs. You’ll even discover how one famous composer needed some inspiration from the future for one of their most wellknown pieces! A thrilling trip through time with amazing music to match.

Tickets

Adult: £23, £16, £14

Child: £15, £13, £9

Film with Live Orchestra: How to Train Your Dragon –In Concert (PG)

Saturday 3 May 1pm & 5pm

Anthony Gabriele conductor

A winner with audiences and critics alike, DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon is a captivating and original story that combines humour, fire-breathing action, and epic adventure!

When a young Viking defies tradition and befriends a ferocious dragon, together they must fight against all odds to save both their worlds. Experience this enchanting film in HD, with John Powell’s Oscar®-nominated musical score performed live by the Orchestra.

This performance will last 2 hours including an interval

How To Train Your Dragon © 2010 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Tickets

Adult: £25, £18, £16

Child: £18, £15, £10

Alasdair Malloy

© Mark McNulty

Family Concert: The Bear Hunt

Adventure

Sunday 22 June 2.30pm

Ian Stephens We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Grieg In The Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt

Mussorgsky Great Gate of Kiev

Debbie Wiseman Polar Bear from Carnival of the Endangered Animals

Jessie Montgomery Starburst

Ellie Slorach conductor

Lucy Drever presenter

James Mayhew live illustration

Kate Labno BSL Interpreter

Inspired by the beloved children's story We're Going on a Bear Hunt, there's fun for all the family as we head off on an epic adventure. From the exciting, to the scary, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra serve as your guide on this musical journey, as we discover iconic pieces by Grieg and Mussorgsky, an enchanting original work by Ian Stephens, and Debbie Wiseman's musical portrait of a polar bear from her Carnival of the Endangered Animals.

Tickets

Adult: £23, £16, £14

Child: £15, £13, £9

BSL interpretation provided at this performance – call 0151 709 3789 or email ticketing@liverpoolphil.com to book suitable seats.

Under-5s Concerts

Musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra bring you a series of specially-designed musical extravaganzas, perfect for introducing your little ones to the magic of a live orchestra. With our fabulous presenter Claire Henry as our guide, these relaxed concerts allow our youngest audiences to explore familiar and new classical pieces through movement, songs and interactive fun.

All taking place in our Music Room – an easy to access space, with a baby-changing area and plenty of room for prams – our audiences will enjoy wriggling and jiggling along to the music from comfy floor mats (limited seating is also available). Our Under 5s concerts are incredibly popular – so book early to avoid disappointment! Tickets for under-9 months are free but must be booked in advance with an adult ticket.

Under-5s Concert: Seeing Sounds

Wednesday 2 October 1pm & 2.45pm

Bring your musical paint to create a masterpiece alongside presenter/producer Claire Henry and musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Watch as an artwork inspired by the music is brought to life before your eyes, exploring all the wondrous colours and shapes that music can produce.

Tickets £12.50

Under-5s Concert: The Musical Professor

Wednesday 29 January 1pm & 2.45pm

We’re inviting you to come along and join the Musical Professors in their musical laboratory! Claire Henry will work with their musicmaking machines to create musical experiments with players from our Orchestra.

Tickets £12.50

Under-5s

Concert: The Quest

Wednesday 7 May 1pm & 2.45pm

Join musicians of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on an exciting and high energy adventure to search for some lost music. This magical, melodic journey is led by presenter Claire Henry.

Tickets £12.50

© Gareth Jones

© Mark McNulty

© Gareth Jones

Don't miss...

For You Blue: Celebrating The Beatles Greatest Hits 1967-1970

Friday 5 July 2024 7.30pm

M&S Bank Arena

Richard Balcombe conductor

The Bootleg Beatles

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Following on from two hugely successful collaborations (And In The End and It Was 50 Years Ago Today), The Bootleg Beatles and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra are coming together again. Their latest venture is a 50th anniversary celebration of The Beatles 1967-1970, affectionately known as The Blue Album.

Encompassing the period from Sgt Pepper through to Let It Be, this is an extraordinary one-off chance to witness ‘the concert that never was’, featuring all the classic late period Beatles hits including ‘All You Need Is Love’, ‘Strawberry Fields’ and ‘Penny Lane’, complete with full-throttle symphonic sound. A mustsee multi-media show for Beatles fans of all ages.

‘A joy to behold’ The Telegraph

Tickets

£57.75, £47.75, £37.75, £32.75

Please note, subscription discounts do not apply to this concert.

Post Concert Talks

If you have ever left a concert with questions, this is your chance to ask the artists! Grab a drink from the bar and join conductors and soloists for an informal 30-minute question and answer session in the Music Room, starting about 15 minutes after the concert ends in Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. These talks are led by Sandra Parr, Artistic Planning Director (Orchestra & Ensembles).

Free to all ticket-holders

Thursday 14 November

Conductor JoAnn Falletta, percussionist Colin Currie

Thursday 5 December

Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan and pianist Simon Trpčeski

Sunday 9 February

Pianist Víkingur Ólafsson

Thursday 3 April

Conductor Erina Yashima

Thursday 5 June

Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth and soprano Sophie Bevan

JoAnn Falletta

Domingo Hindoyan

Colin Currie

Simon Trpčeski

Víkingur Ólafsson

Ryan Wigglesworth

Sophie Bevan Erina Yashima

© Gareth Jones

How to Book

Booking Information

Liverpool Philharmonic Subscribers, Members and group bookers have an exclusive booking period.

Key dates are:

Friday 3 May

Subscription Booking opens at the Season Launch event.

Subscriptions can be booked at liverpoolphil.com from 9pm on Friday 3 May.

Alternatively, you can email your ticket requests to ticketing@liverpoolphil.com.

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May

The box office will open for telephone subscription bookings only on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May, 9.30am–5.30pm.

Tuesday 7 May

The box office will be open for in person subscription bookings from Tuesday 7 May (10am–5.30pm), and after that from 12–5pm Monday – Friday.

Friday 17 May

All tickets go on general sale at 10am.

Please note, your credit card is charged when your order is received. Direct Debit payments split over several months are available. Contact box office for more information.

Your tickets will be sent out in June.

Save on booking fees by becoming a Member!

Silver+ Members don’t pay any booking fees – see p68 for details.

How to Book

Online

liverpoolphil.com

Phone

0151 709 3789

Open Monday-Friday, 9.30am–5.30pm

Post

Box Office

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Hope Street

Liverpool

L1 9BP

In person

Monday-Friday, 12-5pm, plus 2 hours prior to the start of each event in the Hall.

Booking Fees

An £8 booking fee applies to all subscription/ multibuy orders placed by phone, email or post before Friday 17 May. There is no booking fee applied to subscription/multibuy orders placed online.

From Friday 17 May, the following fees apply:

Online/Phone orders

9% booking fee (+£2.50 postage, or free e-tickets)

In person

No fees

Group tickets (15+)

50p per ticket (15-50 tickets per event)

25p per ticket (51+ tickets)

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Seat Map

Ticket prices for Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts

Please see individual event pages for prices. The seat map on p66 shows the position of each price band in the Hall. Please note, price sections are subject to change from 17 May, subject to demand.

Price bands listed high to low, with Box/Price A high

Please note, these price bands do not apply for Opera North: Simon Boccanegra, Chamber Music concerts, Family Concerts, For You Blue or concerts at The Tung Auditorium – please see individual event pages for details.

Concessions

For most Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra events, under-25s, Students and those in receipt of Universal Credit or Jobseekers’ Allowance can purchase tickets for just £9*, subject to availability. Discounts do not apply to Music Room concerts, Family Concerts, New Year’s Eve, Messiah, The Film Music of Danny Elfman, For You Blue: Celebrating The Beatles Greatest Hits 19671970 and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert, and may be limited for other events. Discounted tickets can be purchased in person or by phone (not available online).

*You will be required to provide proof of eligibility

Group discounts

Generous group discounts are available for most concerts:

Groups of 15-29 10% off Groups of 30-59 15% off Groups of 60+ 20% off

Tickets for groups may be reserved in advance and paid 30 days prior to the event date.

For more details, email groupbookings@liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 709 3789.

Standby tickets - Save 25%

On the day of a concert, Senior Citizens (aged 65+ at the time of booking) can enjoy 25% off tickets to Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts. This discount is available in person only from the Liverpool Philharmonic box office, is limited to two tickets per person, and is subject to availability. Please note, standby tickets may not be available for all events.

Membership

Join as a Member today and enjoy fantastic benefits, designed to get you closer to the music.

Your support will enable us to be even more ambitious, to continue to bring exciting and memorable music to the stage, to provide quality musical experiences and training to the next generation of musicians, and to take music into our communities.

As a Member, you will receive invitations to exclusive events designed to enhance your concert-going experience, including pre-concert receptions and behind-the-scenes visits to open rehearsals. You will have access to our private Members’ Bar, the 1840 Room (pre-booking required), where you can enjoy complimentary refreshments pre-concert and during the interval. You will also receive priority booking and be exempt from booking fees for all Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts.

©

To join as a Member, call 0151 210 2921, email fundraising@liverpoolphil.com or visit liverpoolphil.com

Silver £200+

(£16 per month)

• Invitations to at least four Open Rehearsals each season

• Limited access to our Members-only bar, the 1840 Room, with complimentary drinks at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts (pre-booking required)

• Invitations to exclusive events

• No booking fees and free ticket exchange

• Invitation to Annual Season Launch and priority booking for Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performances

• Regular Members’ E-Newsletters

• Invitation to the Annual General Meeting and voting rights

Gold Plus £750+

(£62 per month)

Gold Membership benefits, plus:

• Unlimited access to our Members-only bar, the 1840 Room (pre-booking required, subject to availability)

• Invitation to our Annual Patrons’ Thank You Dinner with Chief Conductor, musicians and Liverpool Philharmonic senior management

• Opportunities to attend learning workshops and Schools’ Concerts

• Priority Booking for rock, pop, comedy, and folk shows in the auditorium of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

• Opportunity to adopt a Section Leader in the Orchestra

Gold £400+

(£33 per month)

Silver Membership benefits, plus:

• Invitations to at least eight Open Rehearsals each season

• Invitations to exclusive VIP events and launches

• Gold Members can adopt a musician in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra or dedicate a seat in the auditorium

1840 Circle £1200+

(£100 per month)

Gold Plus Membership benefits, plus:

• Priority booking and unlimited access to our Members-only bar, the 1840 Room (pre-booking required, subject to availability)

• Invitation to our exclusive Pre-Season Launch where you can find out about the new season before anyone else and receive the highest level of priority booking

• Dedicated member of Fundraising Team to manage your ticket requests

• Access to the Caledonia Street car park for Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts (pre-booking required, subject to availability)

• Opportunity to adopt a Guest Artist or Guest Conductor

Chief Conductor’s Circle £5000+

(£400 per month)

1840 Circle Membership benefits, plus:

• Invitations to London concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, including BBC Proms performances, and associated VIP receptions

• Signed copies of new recordings

• Invitations to meet with senior management of Liverpool Philharmonic

• Opportunity to adopt an Artist in Residence or the Leaders of the Orchestra

Leave a legacy

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1840 by a group of music lovers. Since then, we have gone from strength to strength thanks to the generosity of supporters who have invested in our vision to transform lives through music. A legacy is the greatest gift that anyone can make. Leaving a gift in your will to support Liverpool Philharmonic allows generations to come to share in your love of music.

If you are interested in making a charitable gift in your will, here is the essential information:

Charity name:

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society

Address:

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP

Registered Charity Number: 230538

If you would like to discuss leaving a legacy, please call 0151 210 2921 or email fundraising@liverpoolphil.com

Dedicate a seat

Commemorate that special occasion, arrange a unique gift, or remember a loved one. Our brass plaques can be engraved with the name or message of your choice and attached to your chosen seat in the Auditorium for £400. You will also receive Gold Membership or Priority Premium Membership as part of your purchase.

You can dedicate a seat online by visiting liverpoolphil.com/seat or by calling us on 0151 210 2921.

Love Music: From the First Note

Support In Harmony Liverpool, Schools’ Concerts, and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company.

Today we provide high quality music training to 2,200 young people every week, and over 18,000 schoolchildren and their teachers attend our Schools’ Concerts each year.

We know first-hand that our activities help to build confidence, pride, and skills so that children and young people can live happier, healthier lives. With your support we can expand our reach so that more children, more families, and more schools can take part.

To find out more or to make a donation, visit liverpoolphil.com/first-note or call us on 0151 210 2921.

'I’ve been an 1840 Circle Member for a number of years now and am proud to support our fantastically talented orchestra. A particular highlight was attending the Annual Dinner on stage last year with Domingo, musicians, and staff.'

1840 Circle Member

© Gareth Jones

© Mark McNulty

Plan Your Visit

For more details and frequently asked questions, please go to liverpoolphil.com/plan-your-visit

Parking

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

We offer pre-reserved parking at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral car park (L3 5TQ) for most Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts. Located on Mount Pleasant, it is a five minute walk down Hope Street from Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The car park is available from 6-11pm and is charged at £5.50. For matinee concerts, the car park is open from 1pm. To book, call Box Office on 0151 709 3789 or book online with your tickets.

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Caledonia Street

There is limited parking available at this car park (L1 9BP), especially on Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concert nights. The charge is £8, or £16 overnight parking, and can be paid for at the pay and display machine in the car park, or using the smartphone app. Please note, prices for the car park are subject to change.

ParkBee, Liverpool Central Village Car Park

Situated on Heathfield Street, just off Renshaw Street (L1 4AT). Just 10 minutes' walk from Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, this car park is open 24/7.

University of Liverpool Visitor Car Park, Mount Pleasant

Situated opposite Metropolitan Cathedral, visitor parking is available at the University of Liverpool's Sports Centre.

Liverpool Cathedral Car Park

Situated on Upper Duke Street (L1 7AZ), this secure car park is open 24 hours.

Blackburne House Car Park

Situated on Hope Street (L8 7PE), and just a 2

minute walk away from Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Parking must be pre-booked via justpark.com.

Mount Pleasant Car Park

Situated on Mount Pleasant (L3 5TB), this car park is open 24 hours a day and just a 10 minute walk away from Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

The Tung Auditorium Parking at Paddington Village 24-hour pay and display parking is available at Paddington Village Multi-Storey car park located at The Spine building, Grove St, Liverpool L7 3FA. Tung Auditorium ticketholders can park here for £5, for a stay of up to 5 hours. To use this offer, park as usual then on return press the information button on the pay machine and inform the member of staff you have been to a Tung Auditorium event and they will reduce the parking fee to £5.

Blue Badge Holders

Spaces for Blue Badge holders can be reserved in our Caledonia Street car park for most Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra concerts. Please call 0151 709 3789 in box office hours at least three days prior to the concert to reserve your space. Please note, these spaces are subject to availability.

Travelling by train or bus

The nearest train stations are Liverpool Central and Liverpool Lime Street (both approximately a 10-15 minute walk away).

We are also on the 75, 80 and 86 bus routes. www.merseytravel.gov.uk has comprehensive transport information and a ‘Journey Planner’ service, or you can call Traveline on 0871 200 2233.

How to Find Us

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP

Music Room

Entrance is on Sugnall Street, to the rear of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

The Tung Auditorium

Yoko Ono Lennon Centre

60 Oxford Street, Liverpool, L7 3NY

© Mark McNulty

Access For All

We strive to be as accessible as possible to everyone, and joining our free Access Scheme is the best way to help us provide you with the appropriate support you need to enjoy your visit. We also offer a variety of benefits, including complimentary tickets for personal assistants, access to wheelchair and transfer seating, large print materials and more. You can find out more by reading our Access Guide, available at liverpoolphil.com/ access, or email us at access@liverpoolphil.com or call to speak to a member of our team on 0151 709 3789.

We also have a number of events throughout the season, specifically suited to audiences with access needs.

British Sign Language

Nine of our concerts this season will be signed by a BSL interpreter

Sir Bryn in Belshazzar’s Feast (see p.12)

Saturday 9 November 7.30pm

White Christmas (see p.16)

Saturday 14 December 7.30pm

Family Concert: Santa Comes to Town! (see p.58)

Sunday 22 December 2.30pm

Thank You For The Music: ABBA on New Year’s Eve (see p.19)

Tuesday 31 December 7.30pm

Symphonic 90s (see p.23)

Friday 14 February 7.30pm

A Night at the Musicals (see p.33)

Saturday 14 June 7.30pm

Family Concert: The Bear Hunt Adventure (see p.60)

Sunday 22 June 2.30pm

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir: 30th Birthday Concert (see p.36)

Sunday 6 July 6.30pm

Verdi’s Requiem (see p.35)

Saturday 12 July 7.30pm

To book for any of our concerts, please email Box Office at ticketing@liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 709 3789 for further details on how to book the most suitable seats.

Diary

January 2025

January 2025

May 2025

February 2025

June 2025

March 2025

July 2025

April 2025

Funded by

LiverpoolPhilharmonic

liverpoolphil

liverpool_philharmonic

liverpoolphil.com

All information is correct at the time of printing, however it may be subject to change. For the most up to date information, visit liverpoolphil.com

The price of tickets may vary, subject to demand.