| The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the world's leading orchestras. Its current principal conductor is Simon Rattle.
It was founded in 1882 by a group of 54 musicians who had broken away from an orchestra
directed by Benjamin Bilse. In
1887, Hermann Wolff became its
manager, and he managed to engage Hans von Bülow, one of the most
esteemed conductors in the world. From then, the orchestra's star rose rapidly, with Hans Richter, Felix von Weingartner, Richard Strauss,
Gustav Mahler, Johannes Brahms and Edvard Grieg all conducting the
orchestra over the next few years.
In 1895, Arthur Nikisch became chief conductor. He was succeeded in 1923 by
Wilhelm Furtwängler. The orchestra continued to perform
throughout World War II, and after it continued with barely a break under
the baton of Leo Borchard. When he
died, Sergiu Celibidache took over. Furtwängler returned in
1952 until his death in 1954.
His successor was the legendary Herbert von Karajan, who
remained with the orchestra until 1989. Under him the orchestra made a vast number of
recordings and toured widely. Claudio Abbado became principal conductor
after him, expanding the orchestra's repertoire beyond the core classical and romantic works into more modern
20th century works.
In 2002 Simon Rattle, a British conductor noted for his championing of modern music,
took over. Under Rattle, the orchestra has broken away from governmental
control, and is now fully independent. Its official title is now the Berlin Philharmonic, or Berliner
Philharmoniker.
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