The Romanian Philharmonic Society was established in 1868 and had its first concert in a moment of great cultural commotion, following the union of the Danube principalities.

The institution was established in order to cultivate the public’s taste for symphonic music, and ever since the beginning, it structured its programs based on masterpieces of classical and romantic composers.For 125 years, this tradition has never failed, keeping up with modern composers, such as Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky, Richard Strauss, Bela Bartok, and George Enescu whose genius inspired the entirety of romanian musical life.A major cultural event for the romanian nation took place on March 5th 1889 – the first symphonic concert of the Bucharest Philharmonic, in the beautiful concert hall of the Romanian Athenaeum. Inaugurated in February 1888, this hall is a musical temple and a symbol of romanian culture. To this day, it is the home of the most important symphonic orchestra of Romania, which since 1955 has been named the George Enescu Philharmonic, after the great romanian composer.The monumental building, designed by the french architect Albert Galleron, impresses the viewer with its slender columns and its neo-classical harmonious style. Sumptuous curved stairs, which open onto a golden marble foyer, lead to an extraordinary circular concert hall, with approximately 800 seats. During the inter-war period, an organ and one superb circular fresco were added to the hall.Under its majestic vaulted ceiling, audiences have acclaimed some of the greatest conductors and soloists of the century: Erich Kieiber, Sergiu Celibidache, Ionel Perlea and Herbert von Karajan, Dinu Lipatti, Arthur Rubinstein, Pablo Casals and Yehudi Menuhin.In the concert hall of the Romanian Athenaeum, exceptional musicians such as George Georgescu and Constantin Silvestri have conducted the George Enescu Philharmonic, which now has approximately 300 concerts a year, including those held by the Academic Choir, the Chamber Orchestra, and its other chamber groups and soloists.Ever since 1920, when the orchestra of the then Bucharest Philharmonic held its first concerts in America, it has gained international fame, confirmed by recent tours in most European countries, as well as first performances in concert halls from Korea, Singapore and Japan. Many Romanian musicians and former members of the orchestra are presently performing with famous orchestras around the world.In recent years, the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Romanian Athenaeum have coalesced in the minds of the people and musicians. As a sole entity, they were able to prove to be an active element in Romania’s European reintegration.The Philharmonic discography contains historic recordings, some of them belonging to George Enescu, such as “The Beethoven Symphonies” conducted by George Georgescu and “The Complete Symphonic Works of George Enescu”, conducted by Cristian Mandeal.