Munich Philharmonic

Founded in 1893, the Munich Philharmonic was already writing music history just a few years into its existence when Gustav Mahler conducted the orchestra in the premieres of his Fourth and Eighth Symphonies and Bruno Walter, shortly after Mahler’s death, performed Das Lied von der Erde there for the first time. The Bruckner pupil Ferdinand Löwe established the Philharmonic’s great Bruckner tradition; Eugen Jochum, Hans Rosbaud, Fritz Rieger, and Rudolf Kempe shaped its profile in the ensuing decades. In 1979, Sergiu Celibidache took over as General Music Director for 17 years, strengthening the Munich Philharmonic’s international reputation through numerous tours abroad. Following Celibidache’s death, James Levine (1999-2004), Christian Thielemann (2004-11), Lorin Maazel (2012-14), and Valery Gergiev (2015-22) helmed the orchestra. In January 2023, Lahav Shani was appointed as the new Chief Conductor: He will take up the post in the 2026-27 season. Zubin Mehta has been Honorary Conductor since 2004. The Munich Philharmonic releases its CDs on its in-house label, “MPHIL.” Through “Spielfeld Klassik,” the orchestra has developed a comprehensive educational program for all generations; it offers more than 150 events that are attended by 35,000 people each year. The motto “MPhil on location” refers to concerts that are additionally held at such unusual venues as the Munich Hofbräuhaus and in clubs and industrial halls. The 2024-25 season, which will be held in the Isarphilharmonie due to the ongoing renovation of the Gasteig, will explore the theme of “Dreams.”

Lucerne Festival debut on 23 March 2002, with Christian Thielemann conducting works by Debussy, Chausson, and Ravel.

For further information on this ensemble, visit their homepage at http://www.mphil.de/en.

August 2024