Berlin Philharmonic's Proms Concerts Spark Debate on 'Best Orchestra' Status

The Berlin Philharmonic, under chief conductor Kirill Petrenko, performed at the Edinburgh International Festival and is currently at the BBC Proms in London. The orchestra's visit to Edinburgh marked its first in over 20 years, closing the festival on 26 August 2026 at Usher Hall. At the Proms, they are performing Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony paired with Elgar's Enigma Variations, and Beethoven's Violin Concerto with Scriabin's Third Symphony. The orchestra's reputation as 'the best in the world' is examined, considering its controversial history, including its role as the Nazi-sponsored Reichsorchester in 1933, which led to the exile of Jewish members like Szymon Goldberg. Post-war, Herbert von Karajan transformed the orchestra into a symbol of de-Nazified modernity, pioneering recordings and films, and the construction of Hans Scharoun's Philharmonie in the early 1960s. The orchestra continues to innovate with its Digital Concert Hall. However, critics note its conservative repertoire and lack of diversity, with only one female conductor, Elim Chan, scheduled next season. Despite this, the orchestra's alchemy of individual virtuosos into a cohesive collective is highlighted, with Petrenko's meticulous conducting praised. A recent Schoenberg recording was named best of 2025 by Andrew Clements. The article also mentions Tom Service's listening to Disney's Frozen songs.