Best orchestras in the world

Classical and romantic work of the highest quality

is a symphony orchestra of the Netherlands, based at the Concertgebouw (concert hall) in Amsterdam. In 2008, a group of top critics ranked the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as the top symphony orchestra in the world

This has got to be the most prestigious and the most famous of the world's orchestras

was rated 4th in the world

Leipzig

One of America's best!

founded in 1783 during the reign of Catherine the Great, this orchestra was know before the Russian Revolution as Russian Imperial Opera Orchestra. Being one of the oldest institutions in Russia, the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra became worldwide famous under the direction of its conductor Valery Gergiev.

resident orchestra of the finest hall in Europe and one of the finest in the world (Symphony Hall, ICC) and has the most talented and energetic young conductor. The music making that goes on in Birmingham with this orchestra is never anything less than utterly amazing and so fresh and new. They have built an international reputation, with thanks for that to Simon Rattle for the time he was conductor here. And their name is getting even bigger thanks to Andris Nelsons!

With Chief Conductor Mark Elder, they rank as one of the finest orchestras in the world. There recordings (particularly of English and Choral music) constantly receive acclaim and are awarded internationally. The recent recording of Elgar's Apostles won both the Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine recording of the year award.

Conducted by Paavo Järvi

Music Director : Zubin Metha (since 1969 Musik Advisor and 1977 Music Director)

The concert orchestra of the City of Vienna. Philippe Jordan will succeed outgoing Fabio Luisi as the orchetra's new Music Director in 2014. The appointment of this sought-after young conductor will certainly boost the orchestra considerably.

Orchestra of the Berlin State Opera (Staatsoper)

The NRPhO is a 68 year young orchestra, developped during the last 7 years by its former chief conductor Jaap van Zweden in a real great orchestra. Bernard Haitink, who started his impressive career almost 60 year ago with the NRPhO, accepted recently its patronage and will celebrate his 60th jubilee wit this orchestra in sept 2014. Recent cd releases (Bruckner and Wagner) prove the qualities of this band. markus Stenz is the present chief.

founded as early as 1854, it is the orchestra of the legendary Teatro alla Scala opera house in Milano. It has played in the premieres of masterworks such as Verdi's Othello and Falstaff. Its prestige has been reinforced by great conductors like Toscanini (musical director and principal conductor from 1898 to 1908), Claudio Abbado (1968-1986) or more recently Daniel Barenboim (first guest conductor since 2006) that have influenced its musicality through the decades.

the best orchestra in Korea (south) led by maestro Myung-Whun Chung

The DSO has long improved since this page was created

Dir. Runnicles, earlier Music directors: Maazel, Thielemann, ...

They have an amazing sound, and is the best Norwegian Orchestra. They play so different type of music, all with high quality, but they also set up the big symphonies and get world famous soloist to play with them. It is a Orchestra in huge progress and my opinion is this the best version of Oslo Philharmonic orchestra ever been. Even when Mariss Jansson conducted them. Vasiley Petrenko have reached new heights with this orchestra and still impress and surprise in every concert.

The best orchestra of Brazil and Latin American.

a British orchestra considered as one of the top five London orchestras.

Most dramatic improvement in last few years

A relatively young orchestra by comparison (1959), it deserves inclusion on the list. In addition to having the United States' longest consecutive-running radio broadcast concert series which continues to this day (MSO On Stage), it was a pioneer as the first American orchestra to distribute live concert recordings online. Its concert tours historically receive critical acclaim. And the group has only gotten tighter under the direction of Maestro Edo de Waart. It is an undervalued musical gem in the midwest United States.

Conducted by Daniele Gatti

Wonderful orchestral sound, outstanding in late romantic music, check discography of Sibelius, Nielsen and others. Spectacular development under maestros Neeme Järvi and Gustavo Dudamel. Exceptional acoustics in Gothenburg Symphony Hall.

Check it out on Youtube for yourself. Brittish commentators rank it number four ahead of London Philharmonic Orchestra

St Petersburg Phil Leipzig Gewandhaus Met Opera Orchestra

conducted by promising maestro Tugan Sokhiev since 2012

UK's oldest professional orchestra. Forged under Libor Pesek and now on fire under Vasily Petrenko. Check out their discography and you can prove it for yourself!

Under Edo de Waart, this orchestra has seriously improved a lot. It is now definitely one of the best in Asia.

of Washington, D.C.

Fantastic orchestra.. Just under-funded, so they have less influence.

founded in 1908 by the academy with which it shares its name, this prestigious orchestra based in Rome has worked with conductors such as Toscanini, Furtwängler and Karajan.

Great strings. Great brass. Many fine recordings with Andrew Litton, Neeme Järvi, Andrew Davis and Juanjo Mena.

The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is a Malaysian orchestra, resident at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (Petronas Philharmonic Hall) in Kuala Lumpur. The orchestra gives concerts throughout Malaysia and also in Singapore. Founded in 1997 under the direction of its first music director, Kees Bakels, the MPO gave its first concert on 17 August 1998 under the direction of Bakels. Bakels served as the MPO's music director until 2005, and currently holds the title of conductor laureate. Bakels initially had intended to step down from the post earlier, after James Judd had been named the MPO's next music director in September 2003.[1] However, in April 2004, the MPO terminated the agreement with Judd without public explanation, and Judd never took up the post of the MPO's music director.[2] Subsequently, Matthias Bamert was named the MPO's music director in November 2004[3], and served in the post from 2005 to 2008. Claus Peter Flor became the MPO's music director starting with the 2008-2009 season, with an initial contract of 3 years.[4]

A fine Australian orchestra in terms of both programming and performance quality. Sir Andrew Davis has made a strong impression as chief conductor since taking over in 2013.

“The Royal Danish Orchestra must be Europe’s best kept secret.” - Daniel Barenboim The orchestra is the resident orchestra at the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen, Denmark. Known for its refined and cool string sound.

The orchestra is getting better each year. James Gaffigan is the chief conductor. Their hall is the excellent KKL in Lucerne.

Best Czech Orchestra founded by Jiri Belohlavek in 1994. Worlwide prestigious tours, asked by top world singers (Vilazon, Cura, Florez, Kozena, Vargas, Netrebko...), more than 60 CDs by Deutsche Grammophon, EMI, Decca, Harmonia Mundi, Supraphon) have received many awards including RAC Canada Gold Record 2000, Cena Harmonie 2001 and Diapason d’Or in September 2007.

One of the best in the Asia-Pacific region

This, the national orchestra of Aoteora- New Zealand, under the nation of Inniken, has a respectably vast repertoire under its sleeve and an unique rich sound ....should definitely be in this list

I am surprised this orchestra, and an equally proficient orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonic, have no place in this ranking. I would urge music critics to hear this outstanding orchestra. It has received rave reviews during world tours.