The New York Philharmonic is the oldest active symphony orchestra in the United States, formed in 1842. Based in New York City, the Philharmonic performs most of its concerts at Avery Fisher Hall and has always been considered one of the top symphonies in the world. The orchestra is older than any other American symphonic institution in existence by nearly four decades and older than all but two European orchestras; its record-setting 14,000th concert was given in December of 2004.