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:

1815 – Cherubini – Overture in G

Regarded by Beethoven as the greatest living composer (second only to himself), the Italian-born Luigi Cherubini was invited by the Royal Philharmonic Society to England in 1815 to conduct a series of concerts. To coincide with this, the RPS commissioned a concert overture – now a relatively unknown work but certainly worth a listen. It has the character of an operatic overture; the melancholy of the opening Larghetto is nicely paired with the frenetic flurry of the G major Presto finale. A neat and engaging concert piece that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Riccardo Chailly and the Orchestra Filarmonica Della Scala recorded the premiere versions of several Cherubini orchestral works in 2020.

1823 – Beethoven – Symphony No 9

On 21 March 1825, Beethoven’s choral symphony received its London premiere in the Argyll Rooms on Regent Street. In an effort to further promote Beethoven’s music in the UK, the RPS commissioned the composer for a large-scale symphony, offering a fee of £50 (just over £6,000 today). Two centuries later, ‘Ode to Joy’, which crowns the climax of this 70-minute symphonic epic, is arguably more famous than Beethoven himself.

1833 – Mendelssohn – Symphony No 4 ‘Italian’

Despite its ‘Italian’ subtitle, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No 4 was commissioned by the RPS and premiered in London in May 1833 under the baton of the composer. Much like his Scottish Symphony No 3, the work was inspired by the sights and sounds he encountered on his travels. He spent ten months in Italy between 1830 and 1831, visiting Rome, Bologna, and Venice – all of which influenced what Mendelssohn described as ‘the jolliest piece I have ever done.’

1886 – Saint-Saëns – Symphony No 3 ‘Organ’

Initially invited to perform a piano concerto of his choice at St James’s Hall in London (he chose Beethoven’s Fourth Concerto), Camille Saint-Saëns was also commissioned to write a new symphonic work. At this stage, the French composer had largely moved away from symphonic writing – it had been 27 years since his Second Symphony, composed when he was 24. This opportunity not only allowed him to expand the form by incorporating an organ and a four-hand piano part but also served as a statement against the ‘formless’ Wagnerian trends dominating late 19th-century composition. While Saint-Saëns did not dislike Wagner, he considered such an approach un-French!

1909 – Elgar – Violin Concerto

This staple of the violin repertoire was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society in 1907. Elgar completed the concerto in 1910, and it premiered on 10 November of that year at Queen’s Hall, London, with Fritz Kreisler as soloist. The concerto is one of the longest in the violin repertoire and notable for its Spanish dedication: ‘Aquí está encerrada el alma de..…’ (‘Herein is enshrined the soul of..…’), a cryptic inscription that remains a subject of speculation – Elgar was no stranger to an enigma.

1969 – Thea Musgrave – Clarinet Concerto

Commissioned by the RPS, Musgrave’s Clarinet Concerto is structured as a continuous movement, exploring the full expressive range of the instrument. The work is renowned for its spatial effects, with the soloist instructed to move around the stage and among the orchestra at key moments creating smaller ensembles with various instruments, altering the sound’s projection and timbre. In Mugrave’s Contemporary Composers feature from 2018, Gramophone’s Kate Molleson describes the concerto: ‘she uses the soloist as a troublemaker, roaming through the orchestra, reading off rank-and-file music stands, rallying groups of musicians then wandering off to form rival allegiances elsewhere’.

1970 – Lutosławski – Cello Concerto

Witold Lutosławski’s Cello Concerto was commissioned by the RPS and premiered by cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. The work takes an unconventional approach, opening with a lengthy, unaccompanied cello monologue before the orchestra gradually enters. The interplay between soloist and ensemble becomes increasingly turbulent, building towards a finale of relentless rhythmic drive. Technically demanding, the piece requires both a commanding soloist and an unflinching conductor to maintain its intensity.

2013 – Mark-Anthony Turnage – Frieze

Commissioned for the RPS bicentenary, Turnage’s Frieze was premiered at the BBC Proms alongside Beethoven’s Symphony No 9. Inspired by Gustav Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze, the work pays homage to Beethoven while incorporating Turnage’s distinctive harmonic and rhythmic language. The piece features a striking range of timbres, achieved through its use of Wagner tubas and an array of percussion instruments, including Japanese temple bells, bell plates, bongos, and tuned gongs.

2022 – Ayanna Witter-Johnson – Equinox

Commissioned as part of the RPS’s initiative to support emerging composers, Equinox is a string ensemble work inspired by the balance of light and dark at the equinox. It blends classical and contemporary influences, incorporating jazz-inflected syncopation, call-and-response phrasing, and intricate harmonic textures. Premiered by the Chineke! Orchestra at the Southbank Centre in 2022, the piece has since been performed internationally.

2023 – Grace-Evangeline Mason – A Memory of the Ocean

Commissioned for the Bristol Choral Society and awarded the RPS Inspiration Award, A Memory of the Ocean is a choral and orchestral work evoking the sea’s vastness and movement. Featuring impressionistic harmonies, layered textures, and flowing orchestration, the piece mirrors the ebb and flow of water. Premiered by the Bristol Choral Society in 2023, it was later recorded by Delphian Records and praised for its atmospheric depth.

To learn more and support the appeal and or the full list of RPS comissions since 1813, visit royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk