Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

RPO Vice Chair and Co-Principal Trumpet Matt Knight interviews composer Jim Parker on his life, career and works ahead of the performance of his ‘A Londoner in New York’ at Cadogan Hall on Wed 30 September by the RPO brass and percussion sections. Visit www.rpo.co.uk/spotlight-series to find out more.

In our 10th podcast in this series, John Griff talks to the RPO’s Community and Education Director Ruth Currie and Natasha Zielazinski, Workshop leader, about the benefits to young participants of RPO Resound online workshops in lockdown. James Williams RPO’s Managing Director discusses the present and future role of the Orchestra in the Arts emerging post COVID-19.

In Episode 9 of RPO Extra host John Griff is joined by Principal Associate Conductor Alexander Shelley to discuss a new virtual performance of Britten’s ‘Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra’ by the RPO, and how an orchestra can use the medium to reach out, perform and educate when concert halls are empty. Vice Chair and trombonist Matt Knight goes through the technical challenges of bringing a virtual orchestra to life.

This latest edition, Episode 8, was recorded especially for Mental Health Awareness Month and explores a new roundtable discussion format, with a number of RPO musicians joining directly from their own homes. Katy Ayling (Principal Bass Clarinet), Erik Chapman (First Violin) and Sali-Wyn Ryan (Second Violin) speak to BBC Radio Northampton's John Griff about life in lockdown from the perspective of professional musicians and performers. Find out how these musicians are passing and valuing their time, at home and away from the concert hall.

In the seventh episode of the RPO Extra podcast series we turn the spotlight on the #RPOatHome campaign. We also interview the RPO’s Co-Principal cellist Jonathan Ayling and RPO viola section leader Abigail Fenna about social distancing and new video projects.

In this special feature edition of RPO Extra, Episode 6 offers an insight into the mind and future plans of the Orchestra’s Music Director Designate from August 2020, Vasily Petrenko. Host John Griff speaks to Vasily from his home about what he plans to bring to the Orchestra and what the future of music could be like after the current unprecedented situation.

In this episode we explore the backstory to a special re-orchestration of Handel's Messiah through a conversation with the American conductor who played a significant role in uncovering the story and bringing the music to life. Plus, we speak with pianist Daniel Ciobanu on his approach to performing as well as the RPO's chair and double bass player Benn Cunningham on the inner workings of a national orchestra.

In the 4th episode of RPO Extra, Valentina Peleggi talks to John Griff about how she began her career as a conductor. We shine a light on the life and times of composer o Antonin Dvořák. Plus, RPO second violinist Sali-Wyn Ryan speaks about the community and education work of RPO Resound.

“How does the Orchestra choose what to play?” In this episode of RPO Extra, Louise Badger the Orchestra’s Concert Director talks about who chooses the music and why. Plus, RPO Flautist Jo Marsh introduces the role of the flute in large scale symphonic repertoire.

Which region of the UK keeps the biggest CD collection? Plus, find out how RPO Principal Cellist Richard Harwood likens the cello to a very demanding relative. All this and more in the second episode of RPOExtra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s seasonal podcast hosted by John Griff.