Acknowledged as the UK's foremost musical pioneer with an extraordinary recording legacy, the Philharmonia Orchestra leads the field for its quality of playing and innovative approach to audience development, residencies, music education and the use of new technologies in reaching a global audience. Having formed relationships with the world's most sought-after artists, including Otto Klemperer, Herbert von Karajan, Lorin Maazel, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Arturo Toscanini, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Kurt Sanderling, Riccardo Muti, Mstislav Rostropovich, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Yevgeny Svetlanov, Sir Charles Mackerras, Honorary Conductor for Life Christoph von Dohnányi and current Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Philharmonia Orchestra is at the heart of British musical life.

Widely recognised to be one of the world's greatest orchestras, the Philharmonia's unparalleled international reputation continues to attract the cream of Europe's talented players to its ranks. It is dedicated to taking the same high quality music to venues across the UK as it performs in London and the great concert halls of the world. The orchestra performs more than 200 concerts annually, as well as presenting chamber performances by the Soloists of the Philharmonia Orchestra and recording scores for films, CD's and computer games. 2005 marked not only the Orchestra's 60th anniversary but also the 10th anniversary of its much admired UK and International Residency Programme. This began in 1995 with the launch of its residencies at the Bedford Corn Exchange and London's South Bank Centre and also incorporates partnerships in Leicester and Basingstoke.