The history of the Gothenburg Symphony

The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra – The National Orchestra of Sweden, has toured the USA, Europe, Japan and the Far East and performed at major music centres and festivals throughout the world. The home arena for the orchestra is the Gothenburg Concert Hall.

In the autumn of 2013, the distinguished American conductor Kent Nagano started his tenure as the orchestra´s Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Advisor. Founded in 1905, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (Göteborgs Symfoniker) now numbers 109 players. The great Swedish composer Wilhelm Stenhammar was appointed Principal Conductor in 1907, contributing strongly to the Nordic profile of the orchestra by inviting his colleagues Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius to conduct their own works. Subsequent holders of the post include Sergiu Comissiona, Sixten Ehrling, and Charles Dutoit. During Neeme Järvi’s tenure (1982-2004), the orchestra became a major international force. It has toured in the USA, Japan, and Far East, and in 1997 was appointed The National Orchestra of Sweden.