Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra has risen to prominence among the world's leading symphonic ensembles through its dedication to modern repertoire, a string of non-Norwegian music directors, and an expanding discography, all of which grew naturally from deep local traditions.

Its origins reach back to 1765 with the establishment of Det Musicalske Selskab (The Musical Society). The ensemble later adopted the name Musikselskabet Harmonien (Harmony Music Society), a designation still encountered in Bergen, before taking the title Bergen Philharmonic in 1986.

An early interest in fresh works appeared already in Beethoven's era, when the players presented his Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36 ahead of its Berlin premiere. Throughout the nineteenth century the group expanded, with Edvard Grieg serving as chief conductor from 1880 to 1882. Another composer-director, Johan Halvorsen, held the post from 1893 to 1898 and broadened the orchestra's focus beyond its longstanding Scandinavian emphasis.

Following World War I the Bergen Philharmonic was placed on a fully professional footing. Its roster of 40 musicians grew to 101 by the early twenty-first century. During the twentieth century the ensemble introduced numerous new Scandinavian compositions. Its international profile advanced further through early-1980s guest appearances by Witold Lutoslawski and Krzysztof Penderecki, followed by Aldo Ceccato's appointment as chief conductor in 1985. Every subsequent music director—Dmitri Kitayenko, Simone Young, Andrew Litton, and Edward Gardner—has likewise come from outside Norway.

In recent decades the orchestra has recorded for BIS, Aurora, Hyperion, Simax, and Virgin Classics, yet its most extensive and widely circulated projects have appeared on Chandos under Gardner. Three such releases emerged in 2017 alone: a pair devoted to Vaughan Williams, one centered on Bartók, and a collection of Tchaikovsky ballet music led by Neeme Järvi.