Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
The Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg is an internationally renowned symphony orchestra based in Hamburg. From 2015 to 2025, Kent Nagano was General Music Director and chief conductor . The Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra also serves as the orchestra of the Hamburg State Opera. The orchestra is one of three major orchestras in Hamburg, the others being the Hamburger Symphoniker and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.
History
The forerunner organization, die Philharmonische Gesellschaft, was founded on 9 November 1828, and was led by Friedrich Wilhelm Grund. In 1905, Gustav Mahler conducted the Hamburg premiere of his Symphony No. 5.In 1934 it merged with the Stadttheater-Orchester to become the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg. Under this name a celebrated Eighth Symphony of Anton Bruckner under Eugen Jochum in 1949 was recorded.
Chief conductors
; Die Philharmonische Gesellschaft- 1828–1862: Friedrich Wilhelm Grund
- 1867–1895:
- 1908–1921:
- 1904–1922: Max Fiedler
- 1922–1933: Karl Muck
- 1934–1949: Eugen Jochum
- 1951–1959: Joseph Keilberth, Artistic Director
- 1961–1973: Wolfgang Sawallisch
- 1973–1976: Horst Stein
- 1976–1982: Aldo Ceccato
- 1984–1988: Hans Zender, GMD
- 1988–1997: Gerd Albrecht, GMD
- 1997–2005: Ingo Metzmacher, GMD
- 2005–2015: Simone Young, GMD
- 2015–2025: Kent Nagano, GMD
- 2025–: Omer Meir Wellber, GMD
Honorary conductors
- 1967 Karl Böhm
- 2003 Wolfgang Sawallisch
- 2023 Kent Nagano