1933,Founded by violinist Henri Pensis as a radio orchestra
1996,The Luxembourg Philharmonic becomes independent from Radio-Télé-Luxembourg (RTL)
2012,The Luxembourg Philharmonic becomes part of the Philharmonie
Now 90 years and counting, the Luxembourg Philharmonic finds the verve to shape its future in its roots.
The Luxembourg Philharmonic was founded in 1933 as part of the broadcasting activities of Radio Luxembourg (RTL) and has been publicly administered since 1996. In 2005 it took up residence at the Philharmonie Luxembourg with which it forms one legal body since 2012. Its 99 musicians from 25 nations are led by Gustavo Gimeno, for whom this season will be his tenth and last. His predecessors were Henri Pensis, Carl Melles, Louis de Froment, Leopold Hager (appointed honorary conductor in 2021), David Shallon, Bramwell Tovey and Emmanuel Krivine.
The Luxembourg Philharmonic is subsidized by the Grand Duchy’s Ministry of Culture and supported financially by the City of Luxembourg. The orchestra is sponsored by the Banque de Luxembourg, BGL BNP Paribas and Mercedes-Benz. Since 2010 the cello «Le Luxembourgeois», built by Matteo Goffriller is at the orchestra’s disposal, thanks to generous support from BGL BNP Paribas. Since the 2022/23 season, one violin by Giuseppe Guarneri filius Andreae and one by Gennaro Gagliano are being played in the orchestra, generously on loan from the Rosemarie and Hartmut Schwiering Stiftung.
Meet the Music Director
Nine seasons and counting!
With passion and precision, Gustavo Gimeno masterminds countless concert and recording projects for the orchestra, in Luxembourg and abroad.
Wonder how an orchestra works? What's the difference between a piccolo and a banjo? Who are the Luxembourg Philharmonic's 99 musicians? Explore their biographies and instruments here.
The orchestra’s ample discography includes nine albums for the Pentatone and four for harmonia mundi France, the most recent of which features Métaboles, Tout un monde lointain… and Symphony N° 1 by French composer Henri Dutilleux.
Did you know?
We've recorded many albums over the decades and even won a Grammy!
With its signature Academy, the Luxembourg Philharmonic works to train and support the next generation of orchestra musicians. Find out how by visiting this dedicated page!
Fancy meeting musicians of the orchestra around a relaxed chamber recital and chat over a drink! Discover the Concert-apéritifs in our Sundays at the Phil programme.
