The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1936 by Bronislaw Huberman and the inaugural concert, in 1936, was conducted by Arturo Toscanini.

The IPO plays in subscription series, special annotated Youth Concert Series, concerts as part of the “Arts for the People” project throughout Israel, and special concerts for IDF soldiers. The IPO annually tours the world’s cultural centres and its prestigious festivals. Israel’s creative artists are promoted by many IPO premieres of their works. The IPO also contributes to the absorption of new immigrants and includes in its ranks many new immigrant musicians.

The Orchestra has hosted most of the world’s greatest conductors and soloists, and it also does much to develop Israeli artists and young talents from Israel and abroad. In 1968 Maestro Zubin Mehta was appointed Music Advisor to the IPO and in 1977 he became its Music Director. Leonard Bernstein was named IPO Laureate Conductor in 1988, in 1992 Kurt Masur was appointed Honorary Guest Conductor and since the 2012-13 season Gianandrea Noseda has been Principal Guest Conductor.