The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, reputed as one of the greatest orchestras in the world, will perform three symphonic masterpieces in a remarkable evening at Royce Hall at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The renowned Daniele Gatti is music director and conductor. For tickets, call (310) 825-2101 or visit www.uclalive.org.

Founded in 1946 by the flamboyant Sir Thomas Beecham, who set about creating a world-class ensemble from the finest musicians in the United Kingdom, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra continues to receive critical acclaim and worldwide public admiration. Beecham once said, "Good music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and quits the memory with difficulty." Today, as then, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra proves his words true.

For their UCLA Live performance, the orchestra performs Prokofiev's "Classical Symphony," Mozart's Symphony No. 40 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra continues to expand its international reputation through a diverse repertoire, ranging from the stalwarts of Western European concert literature to works by contemporary and living composers and collaborations with numerous film composers, including Elmer Bernstein on the score for Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York."

A series of distinguished maestros have played an integral role in influencing the direction and development of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra including Rudolph Kempe, Antal Dorati, Andre Previn and Vladimir Ashkenazy. Since 1996, Music Director Gatti has expanded the orchestra's international reputation while maintaining a deep commitment to its significant role as Britain's national orchestra.

Gatti "has trained the Orchestra to its peak: its string section is now among the finest to be heard in London in terms of rich sonority and unanimous articulation, and the ensemble in general is distinguished by the quality of its solo playing and by the way in which timbres blend one with another," The Daily Telegraph (London) wrote.

 The UCLA Live program begins with Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1, "Classical," modeled after the works of Joseph Haydn. Among the seven symphonies that Prokofiev wrote, it is this best-known composition from 1916–17 that revealed another side of the composer. In a much quoted remark, Prokofiev said, "I thought that if Haydn were alive today he would compose just as he did before, but at the same time would include something new in his manner of composition. I wanted to compose such a symphony: a symphony in the classical style."

The orchestra continues the evening with Mozart's Symphony No. 40. Written during the summer of 1788, when Mozart wrote his final three symphonies, this composition is recognized for its powerful and ominous opening.

Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, written in 1888, concludes the evening. Tchaikovsky initially had doubts about the piece and was convinced that it represented the start of a creative decline. It is now revered as his most popular symphony and is proof of his rightful place among the most gifted of all 19th-century composers.

As a world orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has played for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican and the president of China in Tiananmen Square; the orchestra was invited to play at the 10th anniversary celebration of Kazakhstan's independence. In addition to touring regularly in Germany, Spain, Italy and Switzerland, the orchestra's plans for the 2003–04 season include a month-long tour of the United States under Gatti's direction, performances in Bucharest and Amsterdam with Maxim Vengerov and a long-awaited return to Mexico.

Although the orchestra is London-based — its 2003–4 Royal Festival Hall season includes a stunning lineup of concerts with such internationally acclaimed artists as Vengerov, Charles Dutoit, Joanna MacGregor, John Lill, Matthias Bamert, Christine Schäfer and Mischa Maisky — it uses its schedule in London as the springboard for a comprehensive regional touring program including a residency at the Derngate, Northampton, and a flourishing series of concerts at the Fairfield Hall in Croydon. The orchestra also plays to tens of thousands of people across the country in open-air concerts throughout the summer months.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has long enjoyed its partnerships with great film composers: from Brian Easdale's score for "The Red Shoes" (1948) to Maurice Jarre's music for "A Passage To India" (1984) — both Oscar winners — and most recently collaborated with Elmer Bernstein for the score of "Gangs of New York" (2002).

Italian Daniele Gatti, considered by some the "foremost conductor of his generation," has galvanized the music world with his dramatic and instinctive style. With fire and flair, he has established his mastery of the orchestra and the opera stage alike, imbuing his interpretations with acute understanding and refined sensitivity. Music director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra since 1996, Gatti has inspired audiences and critics alike with his enraptured performances. He was music director of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome from 1992 to 1997, and principal guest conductor of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, from 1995 to 1997.

Since 1998 Gatti is also music director of Bologna's opera house, the Teatro Comunale, and has conducted opera to worldwide acclaim. At 27, he made his debut at La Scala, Milan, with Rossini's "L'occasione fa il ladro." He has since conducted at Venice's Teatro La Fenice, the Chicago Lyric Opera, Berlin Staatsoper and New York's Metropolitan Opera.

He made his Carnegie Hall debut in the 1989–90 season with the American Symphony Orchestra, and has since conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Cincinnati Symphony, National Symphony, Dresden Staatskapelle, Munich Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bayerischer Rundfunk, San Francisco Symphony, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, among others.

Tickets to The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are available for $65, $55 and $40 at the UCLA Central Ticket Office at the southwest corner of the James West Alumni Center, online at www.UCLALive.org and at all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information or to charge by phone, call (310) 825-2101. UCLA students may purchase tickets in advance for $20. Student rush tickets at the same price are available to all students with a valid ID one hour prior to show time.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's performance is part of UCLA Live's Royce Choice Series. The closing event of the series includes gifted pianist Murray Perahia on April 15.

An internationally acclaimed producer and presenter of music, dance, theater and spoken word, UCLA Live brings hundreds of outstanding and provocative artists to Los Angeles each year. Committed to supporting the development of new work, UCLA Live has presented both major and emerging artists including Pina Bausch, Kronos Quartet, Philip Glass, Bill T. Jones and Robert Wilson. Lectures, residencies and extensive outreach programs expand the impact of its unparalleled performances, which include a lively mix of distinguished masters and innovators from around the world.

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