The Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie (North West German Philharmonic) is a German symphony orchestra based in Herford . It was founded in 1950 and, along with Philharmonie Südwestfalen and Landesjugendorchester NRW, is one of the 'official' orchestras (Landesorchester) of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia . The orchestra has been shaped by conductors such as Wilhelm Schüchter , Hermann Scherchen and Andris Nelsons , has regularly served several cities in northwest Germany, toured internationally and recorded unusual repertory. Eugene Tzigane was conductor from 2010 to 2014, to be succeeded by Yvel Abel.