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With our Resident Orchestras comes their associated Principal Conductors, including Esa-Pekka Salonen and Vladimir Jurowski – both world-class musicians with an exciting vision and flair.
Since 2008, esteemed Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen has been Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Philharmonia Orchestra. ‘The Philharmonia is an absolutely extraordinary group of musicians,’ he says. ‘On one level, the orchestra keeps tradition alive, develops it and takes it further. On the other side, they are very forward-looking, open-minded and adventurous in terms of what projects they are doing which I find very, very stimulating.’
This sense of adventure, guided by Salonen, permeates the Orchestra’s new season, starting with an extraordinary version of Wagner’s great love story, Tristan und Isolde, which is accompanied by Bill Viola’s video projections. ‘I think it’s one of the greatest music videos ever made,’ the conductor admits. ‘Apart from the absolutely breathtaking images, it also has a very interesting and intelligent position in terms of how it relates to the story and to the music.’
Another Philharmonia project this season that benefits from Salonen’s 21st century thinking is Infernal Dance: Inside the World of Béla Bartók, a major exploration of the composer’s life, influences and work. The series was inspired by the success of the orchestra’s City of the Dreams:
Vienna 1900 – 1935 concerts, including the latter’s online dimension. ‘I was very pleased about the way the integration of the Vienna project websites worked and also the sheer number of hits we had. I feel that the way ahead has to be something similar.’
‘I think that the way we are using the internet and the possibilities of new technology are really inspiring.’
Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Philharmonia Orchestra, Salonen, leads the Orchestra on a thrilling year-long exploration of Bartók’s music – one of the great composers of the 20th century.
Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra celebrate the inspiring musical legacy of Gustav Mahler in a series of concerts throughout the season.
Tristan und Isolde is performed with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonia Orchestra set against the stunning backdrop of Bill Viola’s film projections on Sunday 26 September 2010
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