The RIAM Philharmonia returns this season with a programme that celebrates ambition, artistry and collaboration at the highest level. Led by guest conductor Daniel Perpiñán Sanchis and joined by internationally acclaimed trombonist Peter Moore, the ensemble brings new energy to the Whyte Recital Hall and continues its mission to make Ireland’s musical imagination visible to the world.
The concert opens with Dani Howard’s Trombone Concerto, a work that has quickly become one of the most talked-about additions to contemporary orchestral repertoire. Written for Moore and praised as “an instant classic”, the concerto moves from quiet inner searching to full orchestral brilliance. Its three movements, Realisation, Rumination and Illumination, chart a path of discovery that mirrors the composer’s own artistic growth. Hearing this piece performed by the musician who inspired it offers audiences a rare insight into the evolving voice of today’s classical music.
Howard’s vibrant sound world sets the stage for a contrasting second half, where the Philharmonia turns to the lyrical breadth of Brahms’s Symphony No. 2. Written during a sunlit summer on the shores of Lake Wörth, the symphony carries a warmth and ease that belies the composer’s reputation for intensity. Its glowing orchestral writing gives the Philharmonia space to demonstrate the depth, cohesion and expressive range that have become hallmarks of the ensemble.
Founded in 2016, the RIAM Philharmonia has grown into a dynamic community of Irish and international musicians who choose RIAM as their artistic home. Their performances, from historic Dublin venues to major collaborative projects, reflect a shared commitment to excellence and a belief in the power of music to shape culture.
This concert brings that purpose into sharp focus, uniting world-class artistry with the curiosity and drive of the next generation. It is a moment that showcases the strength of RIAM’s orchestral training and the creative possibilities that emerge when students work alongside leading figures in today’s musical landscape.