Tonkünstler Orchestra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Tonkünstler Orchestra is an Austrian orchestra based in Vienna and St. Pölten, Lower Austria. Estonian Kristjan Järvi is principal conductor of the orchestra since 2003.
Contents |
[edit] Residencies
Tonkünstler Orchestra has its residencies in Vienna and Lower Austria. In Vienna, they perform concerts in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. The Musikvereins "Glass Hall" serves as the orchestra's rehearsal room. As the state orchestra of Lower Austria, Tonkünstler have a second residency in state capital Sankt Pölten's "Festspielhaus". Starting in summer 2007, the orchestra will be "orchestra in residence" at the new international Grafenegg Music Festival.
[edit] History
The orchestra's name has its origins in the "Tonkünstler-Sozietät" of Vienna, which was organizing concerts in the era of Haydn and Mozart. This name lived on in the Viennese "Tonkünstler Orchestra Association", which was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. The first concert was performed in 1907 at the Musikverein presenting works of Karl Goldmark, Edvard Grieg, Franz Liszt and Ludwig van Beethoven. In 1913 the Viennes Tonkünstler Orchestra were the first to perform Arnold Schönberg's "Gurrelieder". The Sunday afternoon performances of the orchestra were very popular with the Viennese audience. During World War I, the orchestra had to merge with the so called "Vienna Concertverein" due to financial hardships. The association continued to organise concerts until 1933.
When Lower Austria founded its State Symphony Orchestra in 1946, they tied up to this tradition and called it "Lower Austrian Tonkünstler-Orchestra". The tradition of Sunday afternoon concerts was also revived. In 2002 the orchestra underwent a re-structuring process and is now called "Tonkünstler Orchestra Lower Austria".
[edit] Principal conductors
- Kristjan Järvi (2003–)
- Carlos Kalmar (2000–2003)
- Fabio Luisi (1994–2000)
- Isaac Karabtchevsky (1988–1994)
- Miltiades Caridis (1978–1988)
- Walter Weller (1975–1978)
- Heinz Wallberg (1964–1975)
- Gustav Koslik (1951–1964)
- Kurt Wöss (1946–1951)
In its history, the orchestra was conducted by famous guest conductors, among them Clemens Krauss, Paul Hindemith, Arvid and Mariss Jansons, Zubin Mehta, Christoph von Dohnányi, HK Gruber and Jeffrey Tate. Also, many famous soloists have performed with the orchestra like Arthur Grumiaux, Leonid Kogan, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Mstislaw Rostropowitsch, Isabelle van Keulen, Heinrich Schiff, Alfred Brendel, Rudolf Buchbinder, Grigorij Sokolow, Edita Gruberova, Agnes Baltsa and Christa Ludwig.
[edit] Repertoire and Profile
The classical composers Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven as well as the romantic epoch ranging from Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms to Anton Bruckner and Gustav Mahler are an important basis of the orchestra's repertoire. Today, the orchestra is also known for its performances of 20th performance and contemporary composers.
Tonkünstler was the first Austrian orchestra with a division focussing solely on a music education programme.
[edit] Tours
The orchestra has recently toured Great Britain and the Baltic States. Another tour of Great Britain and performances in Germany, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Asia are scheduled for 2007 and 2008.
