The group played Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ in its record-breaking performance, surpassing the previous record by over 300 players
A string orchestra comprising 1353 string players has set a new world record as the largest string orchestra in the world.
On Sunday 6 July 2025, the record-breaking ensemble, along with the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen, performed Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ — considered the ‘European anthem’ — at Recklinghausen’s town hall square under the direction of the orchestra’s general music director, Rasmus Baumann.
Described as ‘a sonic event,’ the ensemble played in front of thousands of spectators, in a performance lasting at least five minutes, as required by the record criteria. The previous record was set in Hong Kong in 2018 with 1021 musicians.
Baumann said: ’This orchestra stands not only for musical greatness, but also for community and enthusiasm that one rarely experiences.’
Watch footage of the performance in the video below:
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