The Royal Philharmonic Society celebrates its 200th birthday today (January 24, 2013), and in addition to a year of commemorative performances, talks, exhibitions and 16 premieres, the Society is announcing a major new commission. English composer Mark-Anthony Turnage is to write an orchestral work inspired by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the RPS’s most famous commission.

The new work, entitled Frieze, is a joint venture by the RPS, BBC Radio 3 and the New York Philharmonic, and will receive its premiere this summer at the BBC Proms alongside Beethoven’s famous Choral Symphony. Performed by the National Youth Orchestra and National Youth Choir of Great Britain under Vasily Petrenko, the concert will be this year’s free Prom. The US premiere (and four further performances) by the New York Philharmonic under Alan Gilbert feature in the orchestra’s 2013-14 season at the Lincoln Center (October 3-5, 8-9).

‘I’ve been obsessed with Beethoven from the age of eight,’ said Turnage. ‘What a joy, therefore, to be asked by the RPS to write a piece inspired by Beethoven’s great symphony. Beethoven is a towering figure, but I find him more inspiring than intimidating.’

For more information on the RPS bicentenary and its year of celebratory events visit Gramophone’s Royal Philharmonic Society news story.