Since it was founded in 1946, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin has become recognised far beyond Germany—namely around the world. Famous music directors shaped the first seven decades of its history: Ferenc Fricsay, Lorin Maazel, Riccardo Chailly, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Kent Nagano, Ingo Metzmacher and Tugan Sokhiev. The association of many years with top-class guest conductors such as James Conlon, Manfred Honeck, Ton Koopman, Sir Roger Norrington, Sakari Oramo, Leonard Slatkin and David Zinman contributes to the orchestra's renown, as does regular collaboration with Kent Nagano, now honorary conductor, and the other former music directors.