An independent symphony chorus based in London, the Philharmonia Chorus was founded in 1957 by Walter Legge, and quickly established itself as one of Europe’s leading symphony choruses. Over the course of its distinguished history, the Chorus has performed with many leading conductors, and has appeared in the USA and throughout Europe.

The Chorus performs the central symphonic choral repertoire, as well as opera and film music. Highlights over the past few years have been Verdi’s Messa da Requiem with Daniele Gatti and the Philharmonia Orchestra, Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem with Andris Nelsons and the Philharmonia Orchestra, and with Jeffrey Tate and the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra in the Laeiszhalle, Hamburg; James MacMillan’s St John Passion and Frank Martin’s Golgotha with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Stephen Cleobury; Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Gianandrea Noseda; Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Charles Dutoit; and Mahler’s Symphony No 2 ‘Resurrection’ with the Swedish Radio Choir and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding at the BBC Proms.

The Chorus has made many recordings, and its recording of Mahler’s 'Resurrection' Symphony was nominated in the 2015 Grammy awards. The Chorus’ performances are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3.