Classic FM Partner Orchestras Week: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Tonight Jane Jones shines the spotlight on another Classic FM partner orchestra: the RLPO, our Orchestra in the North-West of England.

In the third concert in a short series exploring the music made by Classic FM's partner orchestras around the United Kingdom, Jane Jones focusses on the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, our Orchestra in the North-West of England. 

We’ll hear them in some gloriously British music, and they’ll be joined by pianist Simon Trpceski for Rachmaninov’s magnificent Piano Concerto No.1.

Discover more about the RLPO in our 15 facts gallery >

The RLPO is the oldest surviving professional symphony orchestra in the UK, with origins dating back to 1840. It has been at the heart of Liverpool's cultural life for generations and gives approximately 70 concerts from September to June in its home, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, as well as giving concerts in venues across the City, including its two Cathedrals.

In November 2001, it became the first UK orchestra to enter into a ground-breaking partnership with Classic FM. With a shared desire to build new audiences for classical music, Classic FM and the Liverpool Phil have since worked together on a wide range of initiatives, including the introduction of the Classic FM Concert Series which have successfully encouraged people to go out and enjoy live classical music, many for the first time, at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, and at the orchestra’s performances in venues across the UK.

In 2006 the charismatic young Russian, Vasily Petrenko, pictured, took up his baton as Principal Conductor, becoming Chief Conductor in 2009. We hear him tonight conducting the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto.

William Walton: Crown Imperial
Charles Groves conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.1 in F# minor Opus 1
Piano: Simon Trpceski
Vasily Petrenko conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Ralph Vaughan Williams: 5 Variants of 'Dives & Lazarus'
David Lloyd-Jones conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 

Jon Lord: Durham Concerto
Soloists: Matthew Barley, Ruth Palmer, Kathryn Tickell, Jon Lord
Mischa Damev conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra