The Institute Orchestra

The Philharmonic Orchestra "Mihail Jora" of Bacau will return for an 10th year as the host orchestra. This partnership began in 2003 when the Philharmonic first served as the core orchestra for the International Institute for Conductors, and the bond has grown stronger with each passing year.

Founded in 1956, this highly regarded, professional orchestra maintains a cadre of approximately 75 first-class instrumentalists. The Philharmonic can boast a successful American concert tour and extensive tours in Europe and Asia including concerts in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Russia and China, consistently rewarded with critical and public acclaim. A true working orchestra, the Philharmonic presented more than 100 concerts in 2011.

Bacau Philharmonic Website


Maestro Gutter and soloists taking a bow with the Bacau Philharmonic
2010 tour in Gorizia, Italy

The orchestra's repertoire includes a broad palette of symphonic and chamber music from a large variety of periods and musical styles. For many years the orchestra has been invited to accompany semifinalists and finalists in important national and international competitions for piano and violin.

Recognized for its remarkable artistic quality, the Bacau Philharmonic has made recordings with various companies in Europe including Electrecord (Romania), Edi Pan, Musica Insieme (Italy), Cadence Music Production (Germany), Nuova Era and Metier (EU). The orchestra most recently completed a new cycle of Music Minus One recordings featuring over 140 opera arias in 2010.

"The orchestra was amazing to work with! They were truly responsive to our conducting and were tremendously positive and supportive as we worked on the repertoire with the faculty."
- 2011 Institute critique

"I was blown away with how much the orchestra worked at the end of the week to help give us a wonderful concert."
- 2010 Institute critique

"It is very hard to find words to describe my experience with the orchestra. They were very welcoming and nurturing."
- 2010 Institute critique


Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 rehearsal
Maestro Balan with the Bacau Philharmonic, Nicole Brancale pianist