The BRSO is one of two full-size symphony orchestras operated under the auspices of Bayerischer Rundfunk, or Bavarian Broadcasting (BR).

Its primary concert venues are the Philharmonie of the Gasteig Cultural Centre and the Herkulessaal in the Munich Residenz.

Subsequent chief conductors have included Rafael Kubelík, Sir Colin Davis and Lorin Maazel.

In January 2021, the BRSO announced the appointment of Rattle as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2023–2024 season, with an initial contract of 5 years.

[4] The orchestra participates in the musica viva concerts, founded by the composer Karl Amadeus Hartmann, to this day.