Het Noord Nederlands Orkest (NNO; English, North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra) is a Dutch symphony orchestra based in Groningen. The NNO performs at De Oosterpoort in Groningen and also on a regular basis at these venues in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe:
The historical roots of the NNO date back to 1862, when the Orkest der Vereeniging De Harmonie (Orchestra of the Society De Harmonie) was established in Groningen. This orchestra attained independent status in 1926 under the name Groninger Orkest Vereeniging, which was further renamed the Noordelijk Filharmonisch Orkest (NFO) in 1962. In 1989, the NFO was merged with a second orchestra, the Frysk Orkest (originally from Leeuwarden), to establish the NNO in its present form.
The first chief conductor of the NNO was Jacek Kaspszyk, from 1991 to 1995. Subsequent chief conductors included Hans Drewanz (1995–1997) and Viktor Liberman (1997–1999). Alexander Vedernikov held the title of principal guest conductor (vaste gastdirigent) from 2001 to 2003. Since September 2005, the NNO's chief conductor has been Michel Tabachnik.[1] He is scheduled to step down from the NNO after the 2010-2011 season. In March 2011, the NNO announced the appointment of Stefan Asbury as its next chief conductor, as of the 2011-2012 season, with an initial contract of 3 years.[2][3]
The orchestra's current interim managing director is Maurits Haenen, following the departure of the prior managing director Jan Geert Vierkant.[4] In March 2011, the NNO announced the appointment of Ingeborg Walinga as its next managing director, as of 1 June 2011.[5] The NNO has made commercial recordings for such labels as Donemus and MuziekGroep Nederland, including music of Dutch composers such as Jacob van Domselaer and Jacob ter Veldhuis.