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Founded: 1934 (as the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Northern Orchestra)

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic creates programmes and concerts for Radio 3 in its own recording studio at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Manchester. It also performs at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms and gives around 20 concerts a year at The Bridgewater Hall.

In addition to its broadcast and concert work, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic has an exclusive recording contract with the Chandos label. Its discography numbers over 200 titles, including acclaimed albums of works by Prokofiev, KarÅ‚owicz, Dallapiccola, Rachmaninov, Liszt, Mahler and Shostakovich.

Its policy of introducing new and adventurous repertoire has attracted many of the world's greatest composers to work with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic, including Berio, Copland, Penderecki,Tippett andWalton.

Renowned Austrian composer HK Gruber became the Orchestra's third Composer/Conductor in 2009, succeeding Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and James MacMillan.

In recent years the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic, in partnership with the Royal Northern College of Music, has collaborated with many composers, from Birtwistle,Henze andTurnage to MalcolmArnold and Unsuk Chin.

In September 2007 the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic launched a major new partnership with Salford City Council, enabling the orchestra to develop strong links with Salford and its communities. From 2011 the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic will be based in a dedicated state-of-the-art studio at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's new northern home – MediaCityUK, Salford Quays.

Juanjo Mena
Chief Conductor Designate

Juanjo Mena (b. 1965, Spain) takes over as the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic's chief conductor in September 2011. He makes his Bridgewater Hall debut with the orchestra on 15 October 2010, conducting works by Beethoven and Bruckner. He first came to international attention conducting the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra in 1993 and later became its Music Director. He is currently Principal Guest Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic and Chief Guest Conductor of the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa.

Gianandrea Noseda
Chief Conductor

Gianandrea Noseda (b. 1964, Italy) became the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic's chief conductor in September 2002. His successes with the orchestra include the compelling Beethoven symphony cycle in 2005, which was broadcast on Radio 3 and received over one million downloads from the Radio 3 website. His role in last season's Mahler Festival at The Bridgewater Hall was greeted with the highest acclaim by audiences and critics alike. His 20 discs for Chandos, with their daring interpretations, have led to critical reappraisals of music by Liszt, Rachmaninov and Smetana. From September 2011, he takes on the role of conductor laureate.

Vassily Sinaisky
Chief Guest Conductor

Vassily Sinaisky (b. 1947, Russia) has been chief guest gonductor of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic since 1996 and is a regular and popular visitor to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms each summer. He is versatile and acclaimed in a wide repertoire and has held a number of key posts including currently Conductor in Resident of the Bolshoi Theatre and Principal Conductor of the Malmö Symphony Orchestra.