The concert features two undisputed masterpieces of the 20th Century - Holst’s celebrated The Planets Suite and Walton’s thrilling Belshazzar’s Feast - will make the live classical concert experience accessible to music fans across the world, whilst offering a valuable keepsake for concert goers on what stands to be an unforgettable evening.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra actively seeks means of enhancing the concert experience and making their performances available to a wider audience of classical and non-classical alike. This project forms part of ongoing joint efforts by the Royal Albert Hall and iTunes to introduce classical music fans to digital music where lower distribution costs, greater reach, depth of catalogue and wider accessibility offer significant advantages over traditional retail models.
In order to drive awareness and interest in the new initiative, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will also be offering one movement from Holst’s The Planets Suite to all customers entirely for free, and will ensure that the remainder of the content is available at prices accessible to all fans.
Chris Evans Head of Press and Marketing of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra says: “The Orchestra is keen to encompass new ideas, it is not just the case as in previous generations to offer music in a traditional venue; It’s now time to seize the opportunities available to us and to use effectively modern marketing tools. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s aim is to use our strong relationship with the Royal Albert Hall and iTunes to offer a new experience to a different sector of people who perhaps wouldn’t even entertain venturing to a concert hall. This is though by no means a deviation from our core audience but essentially an enhancement to broaden the RPO’s appeal”.
Leonard Slatkin, Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra says: "The new technologies are tools that we can all use to help disseminate more information about our world. Through iTunes we have the opportunity to reach a world-wide audience. I look forward to this new collaboration".
Jessica Silvester, Marketing & Press Manager for the Royal Albert Hall says: “We are very excited about this project which unites the Hall, a world-class entertainment venue with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who provide a wonderful series of concerts at the Hall throughout the year, and with iTunes, the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store. The project will provide the opportunity for customers around the world to experience the excitement of live performance from the Royal Albert Hall and to reach new audiences for classical music”. -- www.rpo.co.uk
