Internationally leading music critics have named the Berlin Philharmonic the second-best orchestra in the world. Since its founding in the late 19th century, it has provided the highest musical enjoyment under the direction of world-class conductors such as Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado, and Sir Simon Rattle. The latter is exploring new ways to attract young audiences to classical music. It is no surprise that this renowned ensemble sells nearly a quarter of a million tickets annually, even during economic crises, and the Berlin Philharmonie is sold out on average almost 90 percent of the time. This book offers an overview of the Berlin Philharmonic and its past conductors and artistic directors.