The Philharmonie Merck hasn’t only deserved the praise of the music critics because of the continuity of its work. It is also due to the individual musicians of the ensemble, says Orchestral Manager Stefan Reinhardt: Most players come from the region around Darmstadt. But some of the members, who have been playing with the orchestra for many years, travel to the rehearsals and concerts from their current homes in the Ruhr regions or Alsace. This feeling of continuity is symbolised by Merck’s ongoing support of the orchestra. The promotion of culture has a long tradition in the company: Goethe himself profited from the friendship and patronage of Johann Heinrich Merck. 
  
The fact that leading international ensembles travel to Darmstadt for the “Musical Autumn” is only one example of their contact to the worldwide music scene. The musicians travel throughout Europe and other continents acting as ambassadors of both Merck and Darmstadt. The orchestra has played concerts in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Lisbon, Paris, Trondheim, Vilnius and Vienna. In past years the Philharmonie’s diary has also included tours to Asia and South America. The Goethe Institute even invited the orchestra to India. 
  
The continual development of what started as a circle of enthusiastic musicians and grew into a professional orchestra, has not only left its mark on the Darmstadt music scene. The Philharmonie have also left their musical tracks on several CD’s. The latest crossover album of jazz and classical music (“Teatime at the Savoy”) was compiled using recordings made of the January 2008 concerts. With around 30 concerts a year, the Philharmonie Merck has a strong presence in Darmstadt and the surrounding region. Due to lack of space, the orchestra can’t rehearse or perform large projects in the plant itself. This means the orchestra is a welcome guest at the theatre in Darmstadt and the local churches and cultural centres.  

This is why, for instance, Darmstadt invited the European Union Youth Orchestra to take part in a complete project as part of the “Musical Autumn” in 2002. The European Union Baroque Orchestra is another regular guest at the festival. “This is a very special way of promoting young music”, says Reinhardt, who is also the artistic director of the “Musical Autumn” festival.   

The Philharmonie Merck creates an enthusiasm for music among all generations. This includes music fans in the greater region around Darmstadt, as well as the many audiences in cities across the world.