Bamberger Symphoniker

The Bamberger Symphoniker – Bayerische Staatsphilharmonie is an important German symphony orchestra, based in Bamberg. The orchestra was founded in 1946 by former members of the Deutsche Philharmonie in Prague and by musicians from Karlsbad and Silesia, who were expelled from Czechoslovakia as a result of the Beneš decrees. On 16 March 2006, the Bamberger Symphoniker celebrated its 60th anniversary.

The orchestra performs approximately 40 times annually in the Sinfonie an der Regnitz concert hall in Bamberg, which was specially built for the orchestra (1993). Most concerts, however, take place in the surrounding area or during international tours. The orchestra is involved in the triennial Gustav Mahler Conducting Prize. The orchestra made a number of recordings for Vox Records with János Fürst, some of which were later reissued on cd.

In 2003, the Bamberger Symphoniker was appointed Bayerischen Staatsphilharmonie. The financing of the Stiftung Bamberger Symphoniker – Bayerische Staatsphilharmonie consists of funds from the Free State of Bavaria, the city of Bamberg, the Regierungsbezirk Upper Franconia and the Landkreis Bamberg.

Jakub Hrůša (2016-present)
Jonathan Nott (2000-2016)
Horst Stein (1985-1996)
Witold Rowicki (1983-1985)
James Loughran (1979-1983)
Eugen Jochum (1969-1973)
Joseph Keilberth (1949-1968)

In 2016, Christoph Eschenbach was appointed conductor emeritus, after Herbert Blomstedt, Eugen Jochum and Horst Stein had also received this title in the past.