Philharmonia Zurich is a world-renowned classical music ensemble based in Zurich, Switzerland. The orchestra was founded in 1985 by the Swiss conductor and pianist, Carlo Maria Giulini, who served as its first music director until 1991. Since then, the orchestra has been led by a number of distinguished conductors, including Franz Welser-Möst, Fabio Luisi, and now, Paavo Järvi. The ensemble is made up of approximately 100 musicians, many of whom are Swiss, but also includes musicians from around the world. The orchestra's repertoire spans from the Baroque era to contemporary music, and it has a particular focus on the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Mahler. Over the years, Philharmonia Zurich has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Musikverein in Vienna, and the Carnegie Hall in New York. The orchestra has also collaborated with some of the world's most renowned soloists, including Martha Argerich, Lang Lang, and Yo-Yo Ma. One of the highlights of Philharmonia Zurich's history was its performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 in 2006, which was conducted by Franz Welser-Möst and featured a choir of over 500 singers. The performance was widely praised by critics and was later released as a recording. In addition to its performances, Philharmonia Zurich has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2014, the orchestra was awarded the Swiss Grand Prix for Music, which is the country's highest cultural award. The orchestra has also been recognized for its recordings, including a Grammy Award for its recording of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. Today, Philharmonia Zurich continues to be one of the world's leading classical music ensembles, with a reputation for excellence and innovation. Under the leadership of Paavo Järvi, the orchestra is committed to exploring new repertoire and pushing the boundaries of classical music performance.

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