In September 1919, the Orchestra of the Philharmonic Company – later to be known as the Oslo Philharmonic − took to the stage for its first public concert in the Norwegian capital. The launch of an independent symphony orchestra was a major event attended by the Royal Family and its fame soon started attracting international stars such as Jean Sibelius and Arthur Nikisch, who both conducted the orchestra in 1921. In the century to follow, the Oslo Philharmonic successfully established itself as one of the major international orchestras, through tours and recordings under the leadership of eminent Chief Conductors, including Herbert Blomstedt, Mariss Jansons, Jukka-Pekka Saraste and Vasily Petrenko.

With Klaus Mäkelä, who has been Chief Conductor since 2020, the Oslo Philharmonic has performed and recorded the complete Sibelius symphony cycle, Shostakovich symphonies nos. 4 – 6 and partnered with Janine Jansen in Sibelius Violin Concerto & Prokofiev’s First Violin Concerto, all on Decca Classics. Together they have regularly toured throughout Europe and in Asia, and have performed at the major summer festivals including Salzburg, Lucerne, Edinburgh, the BBC Proms and Berlin Musikfest.

Highlights of Mäkelä’s final season include performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 7, Anders Hillborg’s Hell Mountain – an Oslo Philharmonic co-commission – and Magnus Lindberg’s 1985 tour de force, Kraft. Additional highlights include a tour and residencies in Hamburg, Vienna, Paris and Essen with performances of Shostakovich Symphony No. 8, Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen Suite and both the Tchaikovsky and Sibelius Violin Concertos, with soloist Lisa Batiashvili. The season closes at the prestigious Prague Spring Festival with Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with soloist Truls Mørk.

Amongst the many new works being presented this season, two feature concertos written for Norwegian soloists, co-commissioned by the Oslo Philharmonic. Nico Muhly’s Trumpet Concerto Doom Painting receives its Norwegian premiere with Tine Thing Helseth and Pekka Kuuisisto, whilst Leif Ove Andsnes give the world premiere of Ørjan Matre’s Piano Concerto under the baton of Thomas Søndergård.

The 25/26 season also features several new projects with the Oslo Philharmonic Choir, celebrating the start of Simon Halsey’s appointment as Artistic Director of Choral Activities. Highlights include performances of the Duruflé’s Requiem, a newly written piece for choir and orchestra by Herman Vogt, Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, Brahms’ Schicksalslied and a Mozart Requiem sing-a-long, in which choirs from across Europe are invited to participate.