The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra has vaulted into the top rank of international symphonic ensembles with a strong commitment to contemporary music and a growing catalog of recordings. The Philarmonic's history dates back to 1765; the Bergen Philharmonic name was adopted in 1986. The group's orientation toward new music was already evident in Beethoven's day. Edvard Grieg served as its chief conductor between 1880 and 1882. It has naturally favored Scandinavian repertory, but became more international in orientation under composer Johan Halvorsen (from 1893 to 1898). Since 1985, all the orchestra's chief conductors have been non-Norwegians. The Philharmonic has recorded for BIS, Aurora, Hyperion, Simax, and Virgin Classics, but its most extensive and widely distributed recordings have been made for Chandos. ~ James Manheim