The Philharmonia Orchestra and Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor Esa-Pekka Salonen today announce the next stage of their project to develop virtual reality as a medium for orchestral music with the release of The Virtual Orchestra for PlayStation VR.

The Virtual Orchestra was created through a partnership between the Philharmonia Orchestra, Southbank Centre, London-based VR specialists Inition and music publishers Music Sales, and marks the first time a symphony orchestra has debuted on PS VR.

The Orchestra worked closely with Inition and Sony’s R&D teams to create this first VR film, one of the highest-quality full-360 3D stereoscopic video and spatial audio live-action VR films yet to be released.

There are two versions of the presentation available on PlayStation Store – Preview and Premium. The premium version is a 14-minute experience, and features a backstage documentary film followed by a full performance – conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen – of the third movement of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, on-stage at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.

“This special release cements the Philharmonia Orchestra’s status as a sector leader in the emerging market for Virtual Reality,” said Helen Sprott, Managing Director of the Philharmonia Orchestra. “We firmly believe in VR as a tool for both reaching new audiences and diversifying new revenue streams for the Orchestra.”

Peter Collis, Head of 360/3D Film Production at Inition, continued: “Philharmonia Orchestra and Inition were keen to explore the potential of VR as an insight into what it is like to be a conductor at the heart of the performance. We felt it vital to strive for stunning 360° imagery and crisp, clear positional sound so that the viewer has the full freedom to explore the detailed craft and workings of some of the world’s most talented musicians.”

Buy The Virtual Orchestra from PlayStation Store here.