The Philharmonia Orchestra has launched its own label, called Philharmonia Records. The London-based ensemble’s first release will be conducted by its Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, and feature works by Richard Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, the Alpine Symphony, Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche. The double-album will be available on March 24.

The first two of those works were taken from Rouvali’s debut in the role, on September 30, 2021. ‘I have such strong memories of this concert, not least because it was the beginning of my tenure, but because of the music-making moments we had lost with the orchestra over the months before,’ Rouvali said.

‘To be back on stage with every one of them, and more, was so special! Conducting Strauss is always for me a very deep experience and the Philharmonia players gave their all that night as well as in the studio – you can hear the power they feel being together. I’m looking forward to recording more wonderful music with this great orchestra in the years to come.'

Philharmonia Chief Executive Thorben Dittes added: ‘It is especially apt to start this new phase of our long recording history with this special selection of music by Richard Strauss, some of whose late works we premiered, and we look forward to sharing this music with listeners all over the world.’

The recording will be accompanied by a 60-page booklet of essays, and produced in association with Signum Records. It will be priced at £18.

​