Public interest in orchestral music hits six-year peak

From traditional classical repertoire to orchestral rock, from movie soundtracks to hits from the musicals, the percentage of UK adults interested in experiencing a concert that features orchestral music has reached a six-year peak,  with interest rising strongly among young people - according to new annual tracking research from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO).

As the world’s biggest classical music festival, the BBC Proms, finishes for another year, the UK public has a serious appetite to explore the orchestral world further, as autumn starts and new concert seasons get underway across the UK. The nationally representative poll of 2,000 adults revealed that 89% of adults would be interested in experiencing a concert or performance that featured classical or orchestral music – up from 79% in 2018. For the under 25 age group, the figure has risen significantly from 78% to 92% since 2018.

The RPO research suggests that the growing popularity of live orchestral music is based on the broad variety of orchestral concerts that can be enjoyed. Over the last two years, the popularity of orchestral concerts that feature soundtracks from blockbuster films has risen from 25% to 29%, whilst a film screening with live orchestra rose from 19% to 25%. The popularity of orchestral concerts featuring hits from the musicals is up from 25% to 28% over the last two years, whilst orchestral rock is up from 18% to 22%.

For 28% of parents with children under the age of 18, the appeal of family-friendly concerts continues to hold appeal across the UK. 

The RPO research also suggested that the orchestral audience has a healthy sense of adventure. Those people that say they particularly like core classical repertoire are also interested in experiencing orchestral concerts that feature soundtracks from blockbuster films (33%) and hits from the musicals (31%). Conversely, people that like film, musical theatre or gaming music also said they wanted to experience traditional classical repertoire in the concert hall (18%), as well as concerts orientated for the whole family (21%).

The findings come at a time when the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra counts down to the launch of its milestone 80th anniversary concert season, which will celebrate 80-years of music-making, presenting diverse programming and new concert formats that recognise and celebrate the changing face of today’s concert audience. The RPO season will comprise of 57 concerts spanning 12 UK venues, plus international festivals and tours. In addition to four new music premieres and eight performances celebrating the Beethoven Bicentenary, the music will celebrate video games, Motown, soul, Broadway, tango and film music.

Sarah Bardwell, Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra comments: “The new seasons of the UK’s major orchestras will pick up from where the Proms left off – giving people across the country the opportunity to enjoy and explore the joy of orchestral music played live. As our research over the last decade has clearly shown, the orchestral audience is changing and diversifying and we reflect this in our programming for the new season. From Mahler to The Moonwalkers live in concert, our new season is all about giving concert-goers a great night out.”

The RPO’s anniversary season opens on Wednesday 23 September, under the baton of Vasily Petrenko at the Royal Albert Hall. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at 80 season launch will feature performances of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, Ein Heldenleben by Strauss – plus the world premiere of Errollyn Wallen’s FLARE.

Looking ahead to the new season, Vasily Petrenko, Music Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra comments: “For the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, turning 80 is both a celebration and a milestone as we look ahead to the next chapter. After eight decades, it’s safe to say that the Orchestra feels younger and fresher than ever. But it also has many stories to tell, and this 80th Anniversary Season places a waymarker on our journey of discovery, giving us the opportunity to share those stories anew, together. It’s a season full of reflections, remembrances and evocations: music that celebrates music, and the musicians who make it. And above all, music that celebrates our audience – the people who make the music complete.”