The best orchestra you've seen live...

[Jacey1973]

I was wondering - out of all the orchestras you've seen live which really stand out - that you would recommend to others?

I go to see live classical music nearly every week so i've seen many orchestras...but the one that stood out by a mile was the London Symphony Orchestra. They really must be one of the best orchestras in the world.

I noticed in the programme/brochure that many of the members of the LSO (notably the leaders of each section) are Professors of music at the top British conservatoires, so i guess this explains the high standard of playing, plus i'm guessing they all play on really high quality instruments.

The second best orchestra i ever saw live was the Russian State Symphony Orchestra, they were neeearly as good as the LSO - but not quite!

Anyone heard these orchestras and/or can recommend other top orchestras?

I'm off to see the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), Philharmonia Orchestra, Moscow Philharmonic, Oslo Philharmonic, St Petersburg Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic,  Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Bavarian Philharmonic, Russian State Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Budapest Symphony Orchestra and perhaps some others this season so it will be interesting to make some comparisons....

[xvimbi]

Those are all very good orchestras. If you have the chance, go see as many as you can. Try to identify yourself what the difference is between the orchestras. Listen for how they do crescendos, diminuendos, how synchronized they are. It'll be a great experience.

[brahmsian]

I've only seen one ... The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. They're excellent

[pianistimo]

the philadelphia orchestra.

one of my prof's said that the cleveland orchestra under george szell used to be 'the best' he'd heard live.  but, he said that some of the people actually went berzerk or left because szell was very particular about the sections being so precisely together.  for instance, you can see in really good orchestras, the violin section bowing exactly the same lengths together.  like clones.  of course, that kind of preciseness makes mistakes HUGE.  that must be the pressure each performer is under (don't make a mistake, don't make a mistake- you'll ruin everything and make everyone look bad, and the conductor will give you the evil eye, and people will try to kill you after the performance - just kidding) 

[arensky]

                               The Czech Philharmonic 

[Alde]

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra with conductor Neemi Jarvi is a world class ensemble.

[Dazzer]

Sydney SO.

Admiteddly, i haven't watched that many orchestras live.

[Waldszenen]

I'd also say Sydney SO if the Opera House didn't have such bad acoustics. 


Otherwise, the New York Philharmonic and London Symphony are both incredible to watch.