The Philharmoniker Hamburg, in full the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg or Hamburg State Philharmonic Orchestra, is a major orchestra of northern Germany and, if its direct ancestors are taken into account, one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the whole of Europe. It is an important contributor to Hamburg's musical life, giving some 35 concerts a year in the city's venerable Laeiszhalle, at the new Elbphilharmonie hall, and elsewhere. The Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg as such came into existence in 1934 with the merger of the Philharmonische Gesellschaf...