Royal Philharmonic Society

The Royal Philharmonic Society is a British music society founded in 1813 to promote instrumental music in London. It began when thirty music professionals gathered to form the Philharmonic Society of London, including the Polish composer Feliks Janiewicz. The society held its first concert in March 1813 at the Argyll Rooms, led by Johann Peter Salomon with performers like Muzio Clementi and Nicolas Mori. Its early concerts featured works by Haydn and Beethoven, and the society played a key role in popularising Beethoven’s music in Britain. The society commissioned new works from major composers, including Beethoven’s Choral Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony. Over the years, it supported figures such as Wagner, Tchaikovsky, and Sullivan, who conducted or performed their own works for the society. In 1912, during its 100th concert season, it became the Royal Philharmonic Society and continued its work through both world wars. Today, it remains a membership organisation focused on composers and young musicians, running programmes and awarding the annual Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards. The society is based at 48 Great Marlborough Street in London, where visitors can find its offices and learn about its history. Its Gold Medal, first awarded in 1871, recognises outstanding musicianship and has been given only a hundred times by 2015. The society also grants rare honorary membership to those who have made significant contributions to music. The building reflects its long tradition of supporting and celebrating musical excellence.