Tonhalle Orchester Zurich

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Tonhalle Orchester Zurich (Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich or Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, as it is widely known in English and on its many recordings), is named after one of the major concert halls of the world, the Zurich Tonhalle. The orchestra was founded in 1868 and took up residence in the "new" Tonhalle in 1895.

The Tonhalle Orchestra is conducted by David Zinman, in whose period as music director (since 1995) it has developed into one of the world's leading orchestras with a large and growing repertoire of impressive recordings to its name. Zinman's contract was recently extended to 2010. The orchestra of just over 100 musicians now plays all over the world; it has twice performed to rapturous applause in widely-broadcast BBC Promenade Concerts at the Albert Hall. With David Zinman, the orchestra has produced a wide collection of much-prized recordings, including the recent Beethoven cycle.

Under Friedrich Hegar, its first conductor, it began to have a great influence on music in and around Zurich. His successor, Volkmar Andreae, noted for promoting works of Bruckner, directed the orchestra for forty three years and gave 1300 concerts. Rudolf Kempe focused especially on German romantic music. Gerd Albrecht thought of new ways to introduce music to wider audiences, including concerts for children and families and had a considerable role in enhancing the orchestra's role in the musical life of Zurich. The pianist Christoph Eschenbach held his first post as conductor here and, under David Zinman, the orchestra is again experimenting with new ways, including a Friday disco night, known as "Tonhalle Late", after concerts designed to attract younger people.

From its very beginning, the orchestra has been conducted by noted composers of the day, including Brahms, Wagner, Richard Strauss and Hindemith. Under David Zinman, the orchestra is now playing and recording seminal works of Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Mahler, Wagner and Schoenberg while also pursuing the "Swiss Connection", featuring works by composers who were connected with Switzerland in one way or another. As well as some of those listed, these include Stravinsky, Rachmaninov, Frank Martin and less internationally-known composers such as Huber, Ringger, Lehmann, Zinsstag and Kelterborn. Regular guest conductors have included Ansermet, Furtwängler, Klemperer, Georg Solti and, more recently, these have included Bernard Haitink, Mariss Jansons, Frans Bruggen, Mstislav Rostropovitch and Herbert Blomstedt.

Unsurprisingly such an orchestra attracts an array of international star soloists. Recently in Zurich under David Zinman's baton, "regulars" have included Yo-Yo Ma, Lynn Harrell, Gustav Rivinius, Heinrich Schiff, Truls Mørk, Alfred Brendel, Krystian Zimerman, Yefim Bronfman, Emanuel Ax, Leif Ove Andsnes, Pinchas Zukerman, Gil Shaham and Christian Tetzlaff as well as some of the orchestra's own principals, several of whom are internationally recognized players in their own right, such as Simon Fuchs (oboe), Florenz Jenny (bassoon), Sabine Morel (flute), Gilad Karni (viola), Michel Rouilly (viola), and Thomas Grossenbacher (cello). The orchestra itself is now truly international in composition, though it includes many talented Swiss musicians. It is led by Primož Novšak from Slovenia and German Julia Becker.