Dresden Philharmonic

Music for everyone – the Dresden Philharmonic is renowned for concerts of the highest quality, music education for all ages, and a broad view beyond conventional musical boundaries. Performances on almost every continent and collaborations with guest artists from around the world have firmly established the orchestra’s international reputation. Most recently, Marek Janowski served as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Dresden Philharmonic (2019–2023). In 2025, Sir Donald Runnicles took over this position. Since the 2023/24 season, Kahchun Wong has been the Principal Guest Conductor of the orchestra.

Since 2017, the Dresden Philharmonic has been based in the world-class concert hall of the Dresden Kulturpalast. Here, it benefits from acoustically ideal conditions to refine its distinctive sound and curate its programs. In the romantic repertoire, the orchestra maintains a warm, rounded tone. Additionally, it is characterized by stylistic flexibility, adeptly handling music from the Baroque and Viennese Classical eras as well as modern compositions.

Founded over 150 years ago by the citizens of Dresden, early decades saw composers such as Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, and Strauss conducting their own works with the orchestra. After being shaped by Paul van Kempen, notable figures including Kurt Masur (Honorary Conductor since 1994), Marek Janowski, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, and Michael Sanderling have further defined the ensemble. The orchestra nurtures emerging musical talent through the Kurt Masur Academy.

The discography of the Dresden Philharmonic includes nearly 330 works. Recent recordings feature a CD cycle under Michael Sanderling’s direction encompassing all symphonies by Shostakovich and Beethoven (Sony Classical). Marek Janowski led recordings of Robert Schumann’s complete symphonies, Haydn’s »Die Schöpfung«, Schubert symphonies, Mascagni’s »Cavalleria rusticana«, Puccini’s »Il tabarro«, and Beethoven’s »Fidelio«. Additionally, recordings of Verdi’s »La traviata« under Daniel Oren and bel canto arias with Lisette Oropesa have been released (all on Pentatone).