Long tenures and overall excellence are two hallmarks of this Dutch orchestra, but the Royal Concertgebouw have plenty of surprises up their sleeves. Longtime music director Riccardo Chailly was as adept with the jazz-inspired works of Shostakovich and Hindemith as he was skilled in the symphonic catalogue of Mahler. Subsequent conductor Mariss Jansons continued in that same spirit, leading balanced performances of Brahms as well as startling contemporary fare. If you were a sovereign, you'd confer royal rank upon any ensemble this grand and vibrant.