Philharmonia Orchestra violinist Adrián Varela and Tar Shehnai player Kirpal Singh Panesar come together to learn about each other's instrument, techniques, and ensemble playing. The project is a collaboration with Shruti Arts and Orchestras Live. Discover the Philharmonia Orchestra: De Montfort Hall, Leicester, Sunday 24 March 2013, 7:30pm. http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/24mar13/

Commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society, Witold Lutosławski's Cello Concerto was written for and premièred by the great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 1970. Tom Hutchinson of the Royal Philharmonic Society tells us more. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end". Explore the series’ digital resources at http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/lutoslawski

Series Advisor Steven Stucky talks with Philharmonia Orchestra members Samuel Coles (Joint Principal Flute) and Mark van de Wiel (Joint Principal Clarinet) about Witold Lutosławski's use of chance in his compositions, an approach called "controlled aleatorism." They work through a short passage of Lutosławski's Jeux venitiens (Venetian Games), illustrating how each performance is unique. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end". Explore the series’ digital resources at http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/lutoslawski, or visit www.woven-words.co.uk/game to explore Lutosławski's compositional techniques in a game!

Fourth in a series of four biographical films on the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen visit the Filharmonia Narodowa (National Concert Hall) in Warsaw and talk about the composer's later life. In his later years, Lutosławski flourished and finally found his distinctive musical voice. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".

Third in a series of four biographical films on the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen visited Polska Radio in Warsaw to talk about Lutosławski's work during Soviet rule. They view manuscripts of his compositions for radio and also pop music, which he composed under the pseudonym, Derwid. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".

Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen both knew the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski well. In this film, the two composers reminisce about their friend and mentor and discuss his work. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".

Second in a series of four biographical films on the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski. This film focuses on the composer's struggle for survival in Warsaw during World War II. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen traveled to Poland to find out more. Lutosławski expert Charles Bodman Rae also helps bring this terrifying moment in history to life. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".

First in a series of four biographical films on the Polish composer, Witold Lutosławski. This film focuses on the composer's early life and beginnings in music. Series Advisor, Steven Stucky and Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Esa-Pekka Salonen traveled to Poland to discover how tragic and traumatic events in Lutosławski's early life shaped his compositions and personality. Part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".

Pianist Peter Jablonski talks us through Witold Lutosławski's Piano Concerto (1987-88), which will be performed by Krystian Zimerman on 30 January at the Royal Festival Hall in London. This concert marks the opening of the Philharmonia Orchestra's series Woven Words: "Music begins where words end".

In this extended feature, Principal Timpanist Andy "Thumper" Smith, described here by a fellow player as a "defining feature of the Philharmonia sound", looks back fondly on his 40 year journey with the Philharmonia Orchestra.