大象传媒

One of the most celebrated broadcast ensembles in the world, the 大象传媒 Philharmonic Orchestra’s distinctive energy, lightning speed, and iconic musical character has moved and inspired audiences for over 100 years. Founded in 1922 as the 2ZY Orchestra, the Philharmonic has played an essential part in shaping the Greater Manchester region into an unmissable cultural destination and a hub for world-class talent in orchestral music.

Outside of the Philharmonic Studio, their broadcast home at MediaCityUK, the orchestra presents a flagship series at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall as well as live concerts recorded in venues across the country, at the 大象传媒 Proms, and on tour. Whether encountered in the concert hall, heard on the air, seen on television, or streamed on 大象传媒 Sounds and iPlayer, the work of the orchestra is enjoyed by millions of listeners every year.

The orchestra’s Chief Conductor is John Storgårds, an inspiring musical leader who has built a close relationship with the 大象传媒 Philharmonic Orchestra over many years. The celebrated English composer Anna Clyne is the orchestra’s Composer in Association.

Artistic innovation and the development of a new audience for classical music has been a keen focus of the orchestra for many years. In June 2024, the Philharmonic gave the world premiere of Huang Ruo’s City of Floating Sounds, an immersive symphonic experience, at the cutting-edge Aviva Studios in Manchester. Other recent UK and world premieres include music by Anna Appleby, Gerald Barry, Erland Cooper, Tom Coult, Sebastian Fagerlund, Emily Howard, Robert Laidlow, James Lee III, Grace-Evangeline Mason, David Matthews, Outi Tarkiainen and Anna Thorvaldsdottir.

Engagement work for children and young people continues to be a vital part of the orchestra’s work. At the end of 2023 the Philharmonic released Musical Storyland, a 10-part television series featuring the musicians of the orchestra, which brings famous stories from around the world to life using the power of music. This was the first time an orchestra has been commissioned to make a series of films for UK network television. To date, Musical Storyland has been streamed over eight million times.