Esa-Pekka Salonen

Philharmonia / Salonen / Tetzlaff review – Berg and Hindemith of angry beauty

The orchestra’s new season opened with tempestuous works, born of dark times, that terrifically contrasted emotion and restraint

Tim Ashley

27, Sep, 2019 @1:50 PM

Salonen's departure poses serious questions – and not just for the Philharmonia

With the Philharmonia and London Philharmonic searching for new leaders, will their London base – and the UK – still be able to lure international talent?

Martin Kettle

04, Dec, 2018 @4:08 PM

Esa-Pekka Salonen to step down as Philharmonia conductor

Award-winning orchestra will begin search for a sixth principal conductor ahead of Finn’s departure in 2021

Imogen Tilden

04, Dec, 2018 @4:00 PM

Philharmonia/Salonen: Gurrelieder review – terror, scorn and exquisite excess

Royal Festival Hall, London
Schoenberg’s landmark cantata was delivered with all its its ominous fervour on a stellar season-closing evening

Tim Ashley

29, Jun, 2018 @1:04 PM

Philharmonia/Salonen review – Chin's grand meditations glint but are hard to grasp

Composer Unsuk Chin’s biggest concert work to date reveals her imagination but the choral music here is strangely unadventurous

Andrew Clements

16, Apr, 2018 @2:07 PM

The spirit of Sibelius is summoned to celebrate Finland's centenary

Two of the UK’s major orchestras are conducted by Finns, and both men this week turned to their country’s national composer to mark the 100th anniversary of its independence

Martin Kettle

08, Dec, 2017 @3:27 PM

New York Philharmonic/Gilbert – unleavened orchestral heft

Pieces by John Adams and Esa-Pekka Salonen should have been gripping, but the relentlessly robust NY Phil left little room for subtlety

Flora Willson

03, Apr, 2017 @10:52 AM

Philharmonia/Salonen review – inventive energy animates Tansy Davies premiere

The British composer’s four-horn concerto Forest, commissioned for the orchestra’s 70th birthday, is a striking addition to a niche reportoire

Andrew Clements

22, Feb, 2017 @2:44 PM

Philharmonia/Salonen review – superb UK premiere for rediscovered Stravinsky

Funeral Song, honouring the composer’s teacher Rimsky-Korsakov, led a night that also delivered powerhouse Ligeti from pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard

Tim Ashley

21, Feb, 2017 @2:55 PM

Wolfgang Rihm and this week’s best UK classical concerts

Plus: Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts in Philharmonia premieres and David McVicar directs Pelléas Et Mélisande

Andrew Clements

17, Feb, 2017 @11:30 AM

New York Philharmonic/Kaija Saariaho review – staking out new terrain

Taking a trip to the cavernous art space and conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, the NY Phil explored Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s sumptuous, theatrical work

Seth Colter Walls

14, Oct, 2016 @9:19 PM