Institution

The Munich Philharmonic was founded in 1893, and since then, under the direction of renowned conductors, it has vastly enriched Munich’s musical life. As of the 2015-16 season, the position of chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic is held by Valery Gergiev. Tours have taken the Munich Philharmonic to numerous European cities as well as Japan, China, Korea and the USA. Programme highlights conceived by Valery Gergiev include performances of symphonic cycles by Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov and most recently Bruckner as well as new formats, such as the "MPHIL 360°" festival. In September 2016, the first CD recordings were released under the orchestra’s own label, MPHIL. The Munich Philharmonic and Valery Gergiev have just completed the recording of Anton Bruckner’s symphonies in the church of St. Florian abbey. By the 2020/21 season, all of Anton Bruckner’s symphonies will gradually be released. With "Spielfeld Klassik", the Munich Philharmonic has developed a comprehensive music education programme. Under the motto of "MPhil on Site", the Munich Philharmonic also leaves its home base to appear in unusual and varied locations, such as the Hofbräuhaus tavern as well as alpine meadows, clubs and industrial halls. In October 2018 the Munich Philharmonic and Valery Gergiev celebrated their 125^th anniversary.

Speaker

Paul Müller, Executive Director

Paul Müller studied music education at the State Music Academy in Detmold and later on culture management at the Academy of Music and Theatre in Hamburg. After various concert activities as solo cellist and in chamber music ensembles he carried on his career in the field of culture management as Artistic Director and later on General Manager of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Frankfurt on the Oder. During this time he also worked closely together with Ernest Fleischmann, Managing Director and Executive Vice President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1995 he took on a teaching position in culture management at the Europa University Viadrina in Frankfurt on the Oder. Between 1997 and 2002 Paul Müller was the Manager of the NDR Symphony Orchestra in Hamburg from where he carried on as General Manager of the Bamberg Symphony. As of 2008 he has been the Executive Director of the Munich Philharmonic working closely together with their honorary conductor Zubin Mehta as well as chief conductors Lorin Maazel, Christian Thielemann and Valery Gergiev who has been holding the position as chief conductor since 2015.