History
"The Leeds Philharmonic Society is the senior choir in the city by date of foundation and by virtue of its continued and very distinguished programme sustained annually since 1870". Simon Lindley
The Chorus of the Society has over 160 singing members. The concerts which the Society sings in Leeds are promotions of the Society. Often these are promoted jointly with other organisations such as the BBC, Leeds Leisure Services and commercial sponsors. Joint promotions with the BBC are usually broadcast.
In recent years we have recorded Stanford's Stabat Mater and Te Deum for Chandos, Walton's Gloria and Belshazzar's Feast for Naxos and The Messiah for CMI Records.
Our repertoire is extensive, combining both tradition and innovation.
Early in its history the Chorus gave performances of new works conducted by their composers such as Elgar, Parry and Sullivan.More recently, the Society gave the first broadcast performance of Geoffrey Burgon's Requiem in 1977 and has commissioned works from James Brown, Donald Hunt and Philip Wilby.
Unfamiliar and demanding works have been a frequent feature of the Chorus's programmes and recent performances have been given of Franz Schmidt's The Book with Seven Seals, Rachmaninov's The Bells (with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra), Adams' Harmonium and Wilby's Bronte Mass (World Premiere).
Having said that, the Society is no stranger to “cross-over” music: it has been a mainstay of the Leeds Opera in the Park and, in 2006/7, took part in a highly successful national tour of The Queen Symphony conducted by the composer, Tolga Kashif.
As well as promoting and co-promoting major performances, the Society also holds open rehearsals and singing days for interested singers to attend.
The Society's President is Dr Ingrid Roscoe the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.
We are a self-governed registered charity, No. 506467.
Leeds Philharmonic Chorus is a UK Registered Trade Mark No. 2474150.
