Münchner Symphoniker Musicians
Proximity and communication with the audience are important to the Munich Symphony Orchestra (Münchner Symphoniker), as is addressing and expressing issues affecting society as a whole through new and innovative concert formats. The Munich Symphony Orchestra uses this dialogue to sensitize its audience to the topic of sustainability. With the recent performances of Gregor A. Mayrhofer's "Recycling Concerto" and "Insect Concerto", the orchestra musically addressed the urgency of waste reduction and species protection. The members of the Munich Symphony Orchestra also rely on resource-saving measures in their day-to-day work: Printed materials are minimized, work processes are digitalized and, according to a recent mobility survey, no less than 95% of musicians and administrative staff travel to rehearsals or the office by public transport, bike or on foot!
As one of Munich's major symphony orchestras, the Munich Symphony Orchestra has been an integral part of the German musical landscape for over 75 years. They perform around 100 concerts a year with concert series in Munich (Prinzregententheater, Isarphilharmonie, Allerheiligen-Hofkirche, Technikum im Werksviertel-Mitte), Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Kempten, with guest performances and tours at home and abroad.
With musicians representing 17 different nations, this renowed and diverse orchestra presents varied programs on large concert and open-air stages, in clubs, at unusual venues and in its own time-honored rehearsal hall at the famous Bavaria Music Studios. The repertoire ranges from baroque music, classical and romantic works, to film music, modern classics and 21st century hip-hop and crossover.
Following Heiko Mathias Förster, Kevin John Edusei took over as chief conductor from 2014 until the 2021/2022 season, after which the orchestra welcomed Nodoka Okisawa as Artist in Residence. Joseph Bastian has been Artistic Director/Chief Conductor of the Munich Symphony Orchestra since the 2023/2024 season.
The orchestra is characterized by its unconventional approach to tradition as well as its collaboration with up-and-coming young stars from the classical music scene. Renowned musicians such as Juan Diego Flórez, Joyce DiDonato, Gregor A. Mayrhofer, Vivi Vassileva, Lucas & Arthur Jussen, Pepe Romero and Arabella Steinbacher have appeared with the Munich Symphony Orchestra, as well as Maximilian Hornung, Pablo Ferrández and Daniel Ottensamer. In addition, actors such as Max Müller, Stefan Hunstein and Herbert Knaup as well as artists from other musical genres such as soul singer Joy Denalane, film composer Hans Zimmer, formations such as Milk & Sugar and Quadro Nuevo and bands such as EINSHOCH6 and Dreiviertelblut give the diverse programs their very own touch.
The orchestra has already recorded over 650 film scores, including Howard Shore's Oscar-nominated composition for the soundtrack to "The Silence of the Lambs" and the music for classic films such as "The Neverending Story 3" and "Das Boot". The Munich Symphony Orchestra designs concerts as a place for shared experience and spontaneous exchange with its audience and also offers further formats in the digital sphere, e.g. with online concerts.
The orchestra also supports young talent in a variety of ways: In cooperation with the Munich Conservatory of Music, conducting students have the special opportunity to conduct professional orchestral musicians and perform on stage at concerts. The Education department introduces children and young people to classical music through school sponsorships, children's concerts and rehearsal visits.