Orchestras of the World

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. This orchestra is certainly one of the world's great ensembles, and has a reasonable claim to be the finest of them all. Founded in 1882, its famous principal conductors and music directors include Wilhelm Furtwangler (1923-45 and 1952-54), and Herbert von Karajan (1954-89). Can you name it? Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra London Philharmonic Orchestra Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra

2. This is Britain's longest-established orchestra. It was founded in 1858 in Manchester, where it is still based today. It was famously associated with the conductor Sir John Barbirolli, whose name was indelibly linked with it from 1943 until his death in 1970. What is its name? Nash Ensemble BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Hallé Orchestra Northern Sinfonia

3. This orchestra has claims to be Europe's oldest, having been founded in 1781. Felix Mendelssohn was its conductor between 1835 and his death in 1847, and it gave the premiere of a number of his works, including the Third Symphony in 1842. Mozart appeared with it as soloist-director in 1789, playing his own works. Can you give its name? Bavarian State Orchestra Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Strasburg Philharmonic Orchestra Dresden Staatskapelle

4. Founded in 1842, this is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States of America. Music Directors include Gustav Mahler (1909-11) and, more recently, Leonard Bernstein (1958-71). What is its name? Boston Symphony Orchestra New York Philharmonic Orchestra Philadelphia Orchestra Cleveland Orchestra

5. This orchestra gave its first concert in 1842, conducted by Otto Nicolai, although it was not until 1860 that it began a regular concert series. Principal conductors in its early years included Hans Richter and Gustav Mahler, although from 1933 onwards it has - uniquely among the world's great orchestras - not elected a single principal conductor, choosing instead to engage a series of guest conductors. Since 1870 its home has been the acoustically superb Musikverein hall in the city from which it takes its name. Can you name it? Munich Philharmonic Orchestra Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

6. This orchestra was founded in 1888, created especially to play in the newly-built concert hall in its home city, and which continues to be its base today. Willem Mengelberg was Chief Conductor for 50 years (1895-1945), and the role was filled more recently by Bernard Haitink (1963-1988). The orchestra is currently led by Riccardo Chailly, the first chief conductor who is not a national of the country from which the orchestra originates. Can you name it? Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra Cleveland Orchestra Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam

7. Founded in 1904, this orchestra's inaugural concert was given by Hans Richter, and it was the first independent, self-governing orchestra in the UK. More recent chief conductors have included André Previn, Claudio Abbado and Sir Colin Davis. What is its name? Royal Scottish Orchestra London Philharmonic Orchestra London Symphony Orchestra English Chamber Orchestra

8. Founded in 1920 by a group of citizens led by Neville Chamberlain, this became the first UK symphony orchestra to be funded by a local authority. It achieved international fame and status during the 1980s and 1990s under Simon Rattle, who was appointed Principal Conductor in 1980 at the age of 25. Can you give its name? City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

9. The history of this orchestra is complicated to say the least. It dates its official foundation from 1882, when Tsar Alexander III established a group of musicians to play for official functions. Following the Russian Revolution, it was in 1921 expanded and renamed the Leningrad Philharmonic. In 1938, Yevgeny Mravinsky was appointed Principal Conductor, and remained with the Orchestra until his death 50 years later in 1988. What is the name by which it is once again known? Moscow Symphony Orchestra St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra Philharmonica of Russia Symphony Orchestra of Nizhny-Novgorod

10. The newest of the orchestras featured in this quiz, it was founded in 1959 by a group of musicians led by Neville Marriner, all of whom were connected with the London church from which it took its name.  What is it called? Orchestra of St John's Smith Square St Clement Danes Sinfonia St Paul's Chamber Orchestra Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields