The world-renowned New York Philharmonic is America's oldest symphony orchestra, continuing to maintain high standards in the performance of new and old music into its second century.
Beginning in the 1820s, there were several attempts to found an orchestra in the city, the more successful of which were the Philharmonic Symphony Society (established in 1842) and the New York Symphony (established in 1878). The Philharmonic had a reputation for conservatism and high standards, hiring primarily European conductors, such as Gustav Mahler. The Symphony seemed more ambitious and i...