Munich Philharmonic

Founded in 1893, the Münchner Philharmoniker’s early association with composer conductor Gustav Mahler placed it firmly on the map. The orchestra gave the premiere of his Fourth (1901) and Eighth (1910) symphonies under his baton, and after his death the song-symphony Das Lied von der Erde (1911) under Bruno Walter. Bruckner’s symphonies were another early area of expertise, especially during Ferdinand Löwe’s second period as music director (1908-14). The orchestra suspended activities during World War II, following the destruction of the Tonhalle where it had been based since 1895. However, it rebounded strongly in the postwar period, particularly under music directors Rudolf Kempe (1967-76) and Sergiu Celibidache (1979-96), who between them nurtured the orchestra’s trademark warmth of tone and interpretive insight, both live in concert and in numerous recordings. Since 2004, and for the first time in the orchestra’s history, Zubin Mehta has held the title of conductor laureate. The orchestra has also made notable recordings under Christian Thielemann, who was music director from 2004 until 2011, and Lorin Maazel who was its chief conductor from 2012 until forced to retire in 2014 due to ill health. The charismatic Russian Valery Gergiev, who was music director from 2015 until 2022, recorded Bruckner’s complete symphonies with the orchestra. The Philharmonic regularly broadcasts concerts via live stream and on radio and TV, and releases live performances on the orchestra’s own label MPHIL.