The combined principles of artistic curiosity and the broadest possible spectrum of repertoire, both at the highest possible musical level, was mentioned by the ensemble as reasons for its founding and its work today.
Maintaining high standard collaborations with high-profile partners has been of particular importance, from the very beginning, in the selection of soloists and conductors as well as concert promoters and venues.
Rather than having a single fixed home base, the orchestra has residencies in various European cities, which provide rehearsal opportunities and often a launching point for worldwide tours.
The ensuing world tour of this production not only brought the ensemble international acclaim, but also led to a residency contract with the Aix-en-Provence festival.
In addition to opera projects with Claudio Abbado, concert series with MCO music director Daniel Harding and renowned guest conductors such as Christopher Hogwood, Philippe Herreweghe, Paavo Järvi, Murray Perahia and Vladimir Ashkenazy also take place here.
Discs recorded under the direction of Daniel Harding include: Don Giovanni, The Turn of the Screw (recipient of several awards, including the Choc de l’année 2002), Haydn Cello Concertos with Gautier Capuçon (Choc du monde de la musique 2003, among others), Gustav Mahler’s Fourth Symphony in a recording was received enthusiastically by the international press (all released by Virgin Classics) and Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto.
The Deutsche Grammophon release of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique as conducted by Marc Minkowski received the Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik 2003.
Recordings with founder Claudio Abbado have also been released by Deutsche Grammophon: Italian opera arias with Anna Netrebko and works for oboe by Mozart and Lebrun with Albrecht Mayer.
In 2013, the first album of the Beethoven Cycle with Leif Ove Andsnes as soloist and conductor was released, featuring Piano Concertos nos.