The orchestra loves the diverse stimuli it receives from its guest conductors and enjoys being challenged by internationally acclaimed soloists.

Along with its audience, the orchestra maintains a lively curiosity for unknown masterpieces and newly commissioned works. Founded by musicians from Zurich, it proclaims its musical home in its name and carries its excellent reputation around the world by means of tours and recordings.

In the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, some 100 musicians play around fifty different programmes In over 100 concerts per season. The orchestra brings together musicians from some twenty nations. Guest appearances have taken it to 100 cities In more than thirty countries. In addition to the orchestral projects, the musicians also create their own chamber music series and may be heard as soloists in a series specifically devoted to them.

The music director Paavo Järvi is the eleventh Principal Conductor of the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich; David Zinman is its Conductor Emeritus.

The orchestra has released more than forty recordings on CD, including complete cycles of the symphonies of Beethoven, Mahler, Brahms and Schubert. Its first recording with Paavo Järvi was devoted to orchestral works by Olivier Messiaen and was awarded the Diapason d’Or In 2019.