devoted to or appreciative of music; "the most philharmonic ear is at times deeply affected by a simple air" composing or characteristic of an orchestral group; "philharmonic players
A philharmonic orchestra is a large orchestra which plays classical music. The Lithuanian Philharmonic Orchestra played Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Philharmonic is also a noun. He will conduct the Vienna Philharmonic in the final concert of the season. used in the names of orchestras (Italian filarmonico, from fil- (from phil-; PHILANDERER) + armonia )
A large group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including some from strings, woodwind, brass and/or percussion; the instruments played by such a group. The prefix "philharmonic" does not indicate any difference from a normal orchestra, but can be useful to distinguish different ensembles based in the same city (for instance, the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra)