Classical music from Mozart to Messiaen is the passion of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich. When it plays with Paavo Järvi, there is a special energy because no two concerts are ever the same. The orchestra loves the diverse impulses from its guest conductors as well as the challenges given by internationally acclaimed soloists.

Together with the audience, the orchestra remains curious about unknown masterpieces and commissioned compositions. Founded by Zurich residents, it carries its musical home in its name and its excellent reputation on tours and CD recordings into the world.

In the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, around 100 musicians perform about 50 different programmes in over 100 concerts each season. Guest performances have taken the orchestra to hundreds of cities in over 30 countries. In addition to the orchestral projects, the members also create their own chamber music series and perform as soloists in their own series. Music Director Paavo Järvi is the 11th Principal Conductor of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich; David Zinman is Honorary Conductor.

More than 40 CD productions have been released. The first recording with Paavo Järvi was devoted to orchestral works by Olivier Messiaen; it was awarded the Diapason d'Or in 2019. This was followed by recordings of all of Tchaikovsky's symphonies and other orchestral works; the first release of the Fifth Symphony received the German Record Critics' Prize in 2020 and the Diapason d'Or in 2021.

The latest CD release with works by John Adams is also highly praised by the critics and has already been awarded a Diapason d'Or.

Recently, the orchestra received the European Culture Prize 2022 together with Paavo Järvi.