Known as the Vienna Philharmonic to the English-speaking world, the Wiener Philharmoniker is an Austria-based orchestra formed in 1842 by Otto Nicolai. Independent and democratic, the group survived the departure of its founder to last well into the 21st century. Following Nicolai's leave, the orchestra met sporadically, but was eventually recharged and refocused by Karl Eckert in 1860. A series of conductors followed, guiding the orchestra over the next 60 years — including Hans Richter and...