The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is a relative youngster, having been founded in 1949. It is one of three orchestras serving the city of Munich and derives its name from its association with the Bayerischer Rundfunk, the public broadcasting authority for the German freestate of Bavaria. The orchestra primarily appears in the Philharmonie am Gasteig and the Herkulessaal in Munich, but it also tours nationally and internationally.
The orchestra’s chief conductor is Mariss Jansons. The 2009/2010 season is also a celebration of the orchestra’s 60th anniversary. Guest soloists and concductors will be appearing as part of the celebrations, and these include the conductor Seji Ozawa and the violinist Veronika Eberle. The season will feature works by Beethoven, Schumann and Schubert as well as obscure and rarely played pieces such as Schönberg's Gurre Lieder. The orchestra puts out CD recordings of its work, as well as running an annual competition for young composers – entries from anyone under 40 are welcomed and the winner sees his/her work premiered by the audience.