Renowned around the globe, the Philharmonic has appeared in more than 430 cities in over 60 countries. The Orchestra has commissioned and/or premiered works by leading composers from every era since its founding in 1842. The oldest American symphony orchestra and one of the oldest in the world, the New York Philharmonic has made almost 2,000 recordings since 1917. Music Director Alan Gilbert began his tenure in 2009, succeeding a distinguished line of 20th-century musical giants including Bernstein, Toscanini, and Mahler.