Since its founding over a hundred years ago, the German State Philharmonic of Rhineland-Palatinate has been bringing music to the people. The orchestra never had its own concert hall; the musicians were and are always on the road throughout the country. There is no question that the State Philharmonic is a migratory bird. Movement towards the audience is what drives it. A perfect performance resembles an impressively synchronized flight maneuver: numerous individuals form a precisely organized swarm that reacts quickly and sensitively to one another. By intently observing more distant swarm members, migratory birds can sense when a change of direction or formation is about to occur – much like the orchestra musicians pay attention to their colleagues while playing.
In the shadow of the First World War, dedicated citizens came together in Landau in September 1919 to decide on the founding of a traveling state symphony orchestra. After the inaugural concert on February 15, 1920, the orchestra set out on its first concert tour through the Palatinate and Saarland. This marked the beginning of the history of the German State Philharmonic of Rhineland-Palatinate, which can now look back on a long tradition.
Even in its early years, the orchestra attracted nationwide attention under the baton of Richard Strauss and Hermann Abendroth. Chief conductors such as Christoph Eschenbach and Leif Segerstam, now honorary conductor, helped the orchestra to gain international recognition. Michael Francis, who has been the principal conductor of the German State Philharmonic of Rhineland-Palatinate since the 2019–20 season, is also providing numerous new impulses to further the orchestra's tradition.
As an orchestra without a permanent home, the symphonic provision of the federal state remains the most important task of the State Philharmonic to this day. With 154 events at 30 venues in Germany and abroad, it brings music to the people. Educational and family formats enrich the program for young people. With rehearsal visits and baby concerts, even the youngest are introduced to the world of classical music. Regular concert recordings by SWR and Deutschlandfunk Kultur, as well as numerous CD productions, round off the Staatsphilharmonie's diverse range of activities.
A sense of wanderlust and new beginnings characterize the orchestra not only in a geographical sense. The Staatsphilharmonie also sets out on a journey in a figurative sense again and again. For the orchestra, bringing music to the people means not only being on site, but also reaching the people directly. Thus, the orchestra is an integral part of cultural life and more than ever a cultural beacon for the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and beyond.