Heartbreaking tales of these fleeting stars
With a baroque and classical repertoire, the OAE is a self-governing orchestra since 1986. They are currently the resident orchestra of the Southbank Centre in London, UK.
The LA Phil not only is known for their classical repertoire, but also for championing new music as well as their openness to play other music genres.
Founded in 1842, the New York Phil is the oldest orchestra in the US. The orchestra was famously led by conductor Leonard Bernstein for decades. The NY Phil has made more than 2,000 recordings, and has performed in 63 countries across the world.
A whopping 62 Grammy Awards attest to the quality of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Founded in 1891, it was famously under the musical direction of Georg Solti from 1969 to 1991, and then from Daniel Barenboim from 1991 to 2006.
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has been calling Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw home since 1888. They are famously known for their repertoire and for their recordings of Strauss, Bruckner, Shostakovich, and Mahler, among others.
The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra was established in 1949 in Munich, Germany. Their chief conductor, Mariss Jansons, call it "the Rolls Royce of orchestras." The BRSO also has its own label, called BR-Klassik.
Founded in 1882, the BPO has had numerous famous conductors over the years, including Wilhelm Furtwängler, Herbert Von Karajan, Claudio Abbado, and Simon Rattle (pictured).
The Vienna Phil has a long tradition, going back to 1842. They are one of the world's most prestigious orchestras, and their Johann Strauss-themed New Year's Concert is watched by millions of people around the world.
The LSO is one of the world's greatest orchestras. They're are famously known for film score recordings, such as that of composer John Williams for the 'Star Wars' franchise.
Founded in 1858 in Manchester, UK, the Hallé orchestra remains a force to be reckoned with. It is currently under the leadership of British conductor Mark Elder.
One of Europe's most important orchestras, the Budapest Festival Orchestra became a household name under Iván Fischer. It was formed in 1983 by with musicians "drawn from the cream of Hungary's younger players," wrote the Times.
Founded in 1978, the SSO is one of the youngest orchestras on this list. They are well known for their performances as well as their recording on BIS Records.
Though best known for their golden era between 1970 and 1996, under Kurt Masur, the German orchestra can trace his roots back to 1781. The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra has many acclaimed recordings with Philips, EMI, and Decca.
Founded in 1548 in Dresden, Germany, the Dresden Staatskapelle is one of the world's oldest orchestras. The orchestra received the Herbert von Karajan Prize in 2022 and donated the prize money to a music social project called Musaik – Grenzenlos musizieren.
Founded in 1881, the Boston Symphony is one of the oldest American 'Big Five' orchestras (the others being New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Cleveland). They are currently under the direction of Andris Nelsons.
Founded in 1908 in Rome, Italy, they mainly perform in the city's Sala Santa Cecilia, but the orchestra's current conductor, Antonio Pappano, has taken them across the world. They are know for their recordings of Verdi, Respighi, Britten, and Rossini, to name a few.
The PSO was founded by the Pittsburgh Arts Society in 1895. In 2004, they became the first American orchestra to perform at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. The orchestra is currently under the direction of Austrian conductor Manfred Honeck.
Formed in 1967, the Orchestre de Paris is young, but it has established itself as Paris's major orchestra. Their recording of Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7 is definitely worth listening to.
The orchestra was famously under the direction of conductor George Szell from 1946 to 1970. Now, Franz Welser-Möst makes sure the high-standards of Cleveland Orchestra are kept.
Formed by former members of the European Community Youth Orchestra in 1981, the COE became a reputable orchestra based in London, UK. "The Chamber Orchestra of Europe's woodwind perform like the stars they are," read a BBC review.
The Czech Phil was founded in 1896 and is currently under the direction of Semyon Bychkov. Their repertoire, sound, and recordings, make it one of the best in the world.
Based in New York, the Met is the largest classical music organization in North America. It includes not only a symphony orchestra, but also a chorus, a children's choir, and many solo singers. Their repertoire ranges from 18th-century Baroque to modern works.
The Nihon Hōsō Kyōkai (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Symphony Orchestra, was originally founded as the New Symphony Orchestra in 1926. The NHK is the country's first professional symphony orchestra.
Founded in 1882, the Finish orchestra was the first permanent orchestra in the Nordic countries and remains a reference to this day. Its current chief conductor is Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
Founded in 1911, the orchestra led by Esa-Pekka Salonen has become a reference in the US and worldwide. The San Francisco Symphony accolades include an Emmy Award and 15 Grammy Awards.
Based in Copenhagen since 1925, the DNSO, currently under the direction of Fabio Luisi, is Denmark's national symphony orchestra.
Sources: (BBC) (UDiscover Music)
Philadelphia Orchestra is best know for being conducted by Eugene Ormandy from 1936 to 1980. The orchestra's recording of their Tchaikovsky symphony cycle is highly praised.
There are a number of elements that make an orchestra stand out as one of the greatest. These include the quality of the musicians and their technical abilities, but also the musicality and sound qualities of the orchestra as a whole. And of course, the orchestra's performance live and in recordings. It doesn't hurt if they are led by brilliant conductors and have noteworthy repertoires.
In this gallery, we list some of the orchestras that continue to be at the top of their game (some, for centuries). Click on to get to know them.
The world's greatest orchestras
How many do you know?
MUSIC Classical
There are a number of elements that make an orchestra stand out as one of the greatest. These include the quality of the musicians and their technical abilities, but also the musicality and sound qualities of the orchestra as a whole. And of course, the orchestra's performance live and in recordings. It doesn't hurt if they are led by brilliant conductors and have noteworthy repertoires.
In this gallery, we list some of the orchestras that continue to be at the top of their game (some, for centuries). Click on to get to know them.