Which major orchestras were founded during the 19th and early 20th centuries?
The 19th and early 20th centuries were a transformative era for the symphony orchestra, characterized by the expansion of instrumental sections and the rise of large-scale ensembles.
A notable example of an institution founded during this period is the New York Philharmonic. Established in 1842 as the Philharmonic Society of New York, it holds the distinction of being the oldest major symphony orchestra in the United States in continual existence and remains one of the oldest in the world.1
During the 19th century, the standard composition of the orchestra grew significantly. Composers such as Hector Berlioz, Richard Wagner, and later Gustav Mahler and Igor Stravinsky utilized and created orchestras of unprecedented size, often incorporating approximately 100 performers to achieve greater tonal resources. By the 1920s, however, economic factors and changing aesthetic preferences led many composers to favor smaller, chamber-size ensembles, marking a shift away from the gargantuan orchestrations of the late Romantic period.234