10 pieces comissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society

To mark the 200th anniversary of the UK premiere of Beethoven’s Symphony No 9, we chart some of the greatest works commissioned by the RPS from its inception in 1813 to today

We rarely consider the financial circumstances in which great works have arisen. But in the early 19th century, as the role of a court composer was quickly being eclipsed by freelancing, composers became increasingly reliant on wealthy patrons and funding bodies such as the Philharmonic Society (which was bestowed the ‘Royal’ prefix for its centenary in 1912) to sustain their work and livelihood.

The Society was founded in London in 1813 to promote the performance of instrumental music at a time when there were no permanent orchestras based in the British capital. A key part of this mission was commissioning new works from established composers – a tradition that continues today. But the RPS also takes pride in supporting promising younger composers as well.

To mark 200 years since the UK premiere of Beethoven’s Symphony No 9, the Royal Philharmonic Society is honouring his legacy through the Beethoven 200 Appeal. This initiative supports the creation of new works, commissions, and opportunities for emerging composers, ensuring that Beethoven’s spirit of innovation continues to inspire future generations. By funding young talent and investing in the future of classical music, the RPS remains committed to fostering creativity and excellence. 

From established works of the canon to brand new works, we take a trip through ten top works commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society...

[for the full article, visit: www.gramophone.co.uk]