Münchner Philharmoniker © Judith Buss
Münchner Philharmoniker
The Munich Philharmonic was founded in 1893 and within just a few years made musical history when Gustav Mahler conducted the ensemble in world premieres of his Fourth and Eighth Symphonies and, shortly after Mahler’s death, Bruno Walter unveiled “Das Lied von der Erde”. The Philharmonic’s great Bruckner tradition was established by his pupil Ferdinand Löwe; and Eugen Jochum, Hans Rosbaud, Fritz Rieger and Rudolf Kempe would go on to shape its profile in the decades that followed. In 1979, Sergiu Celibidache took over as Music Director for 17 years, enhancing the Munich Philharmonic’s international reputation through numerous international tours. Following Celibidache’s death, James Levine (1999–2004), Christian Thielemann (2004–11), Lorin Maazel (2012–14) and Valery Gergiev (2015–22) helmed the orchestra. Zubin Mehta has been an Honorary Conductor since 2004.
Lahav Shani was named the new Chief Conductor in January 2023 and will begin his tenure with the 2026-27 season. Until he officially takes up his post, he will conduct the orchestra at numerous concerts in Germany and abroad. In autumn 2025, they will appear on a European tour (including Lucerne, Frankfurt, Paris, Luxembourg and Vienna) and in spring 2026, they will begin a three-year residency at the Festival de Pâques in Aix-en-Provence. Spring 2026 will see the orchestra’s first Asian tour under his baton.
The Munich Philharmonic records on its in-house “MPHIL label”; most recently, it released a set of the complete Brahms symphonies under Mehta. “Spielfeld Klassik”, the Munich Philharmonic’s extensive educational outreach programme, is aimed at all generations and offers more than 150 events that are attended by 35,000 people annually. New concert formats such as “MPHIL Late” as well as promenade concerts appeal to an inquisitive audience. The theme of the 2025–26 season, held at the Isarphilharmonie while the Gasteig undergoes renovation, is “Discoveries”: a programme for everyone with open ears.
As of: September 2025