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The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

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Thu 16 Jul 2020

Alexander Shelley, Principal Associate Conductor of the RPO, narrates and conducts a very special version of Benjamin Britten's celebrated introduction to the orchestra. Featuring a brand new narration and with the full Royal Philharmonic Orchestra coming together digitally from their own homes (Produced and Edited by Matthew Knight), we are excited to present to you our new take on this lively fugue and variations based on a memorable theme by Henry Purcell.

The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra appears courtesy of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited.

Download a PDF of the official programme

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<div class="video__embed"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dwPI895LUzc?autoplay=0&rel=0" frameborder="0" title="The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra 2021 version for schools"></iframe> </div>

Meet the Orchestra

Watch a selection of our musicians introducing their instruments and sections and find out about the role they play within this fascinating piece.

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<div class="video__embed"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k-iDCHKR_ZA?autoplay=0&rel=0" frameborder="0" title="Emer McDonough Introduces the Flutes &amp; Piccolo Variation"></iframe> </div>

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<div class="video__embed"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D5SIgEXL9fA?autoplay=0&rel=0" frameborder="0" title="Sonia Sielaff Introduces the Clarinets Variation"></iframe> </div>

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<div class="video__embed"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tysow9gOinc?autoplay=0&rel=0" frameborder="0" title="Andrew Storey Introduces the Violins Variation"></iframe> </div>

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<div class="video__embed"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IY6packM9u4?autoplay=0&rel=0" frameborder="0" title="Rachel van der Tang Introduces the Cellos Variation"></iframe> </div>

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<div class="video__embed"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EI4pKNPE5ko?autoplay=0&rel=0" frameborder="0" title="Adam Wright Introduces the Trumpets Variation"></iframe> </div>

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<div class="video__embed"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9xkLBLetgMY?autoplay=0&rel=0" frameborder="0" title="Matt Gee Introduces the Trombones and Tuba Variation"></iframe> </div>

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<div class="video__embed"> <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vivtmHEmpg8?autoplay=0&rel=0" frameborder="0" title="Matt Perry Introduces the Percussion Variation"></iframe> </div>

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