Biography
Among Hungary's orchestral institutions, the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra holds the distinction of being the most historic and celebrated. Hungarian composer Ferenc Erkel established the ensemble in 1853 and remained its conductor until 1871. Subsequent directors were Hans Richter from 1871 to 1875, Sándor Erkel from 1875 to 1900, István Kerner from 1900 to 1918, and Ernst von Dohnányi from 1919 to 1944. After World War II the roster of music directors has encompassed Otto Klemperer, János Ferencsik, András Kórody, and Rico Saccani. Works were composed for the orchestra by Liszt, Brahms, Goldmark, Mahler, Bartók, Kodály, and Dohnányi. Players are selected from the foremost musicians of the Budapest Opera House, the venue that continues to host the ensemble's subscription series—one of the longest-running in Europe, dating to 1853. The group has toured extensively throughout Europe, the United States, and Japan while building a substantial catalog of recordings.
Albums

Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites / Sibelius: Finlandia / The Swan of Tuonela / Karelia Suite
2014

Dvorak: Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"
2014

Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
2010

D'Indy: Symphony on a French Mountain Air - Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 26
2009

Bizet: Carmen
2009

Beethoven "Eroica" Symphony & Prokofiev "Classical" Symphony
2007

BPO Live: Brahms
2007

Tchaikovsky Symphony No 4, Capriccio Italien, 1812 Overture
2007

BPO Live: Rimsky-Korsakov, Bartók, Vaughan Williams, Erkel & Mendelssohn
2007

Dvořák - Cello Concerto & Tchaikovsky - Rococo Variations
2007

Schumann Symphony No 2 & Brahms Violin Concerto
2007

Beethoven Symphonies 4 & 6
2007

Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique & Saint-Saëns - Piano Concert No 2
2007

Tchaikovsky - Serenade for Strings & Symphony No. 3
2007

Tchaikovsky "Winter Daydreams" & Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No 3
2007

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 "Pathetique" & Francesca da Rimini
2007

Classic Masterpieces - Liszt: A Faust Symphony
2007

Dvořák - Symphony No 8 & Khachaturian - Violin Concerto
2007

Dvořák - Symphony No 7 & Violin Concerto
2007

Bizet-Schedrin - Carmen Suite & Stravinsky - Firebird Suite
2007

Orff: Carmina Burana & Glinka: Overture from Ruslan and Ludmilla
2007

Elgar - Enigma Variations & Cello Concerto
2007

Dvořák - New World Symphony, Scherzo Capriccioso
2007

Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition & Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade
2007

BPO Live: American Classics
2007

Smetana - Má vlast
2007

Shostakovich - Symphony No 5 & Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No 1
2007

Stravinsky - Rite of Spring & Rachmaninov - Symphonic Dances
2007

Classic Masterpieces - Wagner, Beethoven, Berlioz & Sibelius
2007

BPO Live: French Classics
2007

Ravel - Piano Concertos, Bolero, Pavane
2007

Kodály - Hary Janos Suite & Bartók - Concerto for Orchestra
2007

Tchaikovsky - Manfred Symphony & Rachmaninov - Vocalise
2007

Respighi - Pines of Rome & Fountains of Rome
2007

Beethoven Symphonies 1 & 5
2007

Mendelsshohn "Italian" and "Scottish" Symphonies
2007
