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SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS | |
| Orquestra Gulbenkian Lisboa | ||
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| The
Gulbenkian Orchestra was founded in 1962 by the Calouste Gulbenkian
Foundation. Its current symphonic formation enables the Gulbenkian
Orchestra to perform a large repertoire covering the Baroque and
Classical periods, the 19th Century music and also compositions by 20th
Century composers. The Gulbenkian Orchestra's programs include
compositions rarely played, or even unknown to the general public and
also a great number of first performances of works by both foreign and
Portuguese contemporary composers, many of which expressly commissioned
by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, which therefore plays an
informative and cultural role of the greatest importance to the public.
The Gulbenkian Orchestra performs numerous concerts in Lisbon, as part
of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation's music season, and also plays in
cities throughout Portugal. During its existence the Gulbenkian
Orchestra visited over 35 countries in 4 continents. The international
activities of the Gulbenkian Orchestra have expanded over the years. It
made with great success numerous tours in Europe, Brazil, China, Hong
Kong, Macao, India, Japan and Africa. More recently the Gulbenkian
Orchestra visited Germany, Japan, South America, the United States and
People's Republic of China. In September 1998 the Gulbenkian Orchestra
was invited to perform a series of concerts in Chong-Qing (People's
Republic of China), and in November of the same year made a tour to
several cities in Germany and Switzerland, in both occasions under the
direction of Muhai Tang. In October 1999 the Gulbenkian Orchestra made
another extensive tour in China with conductor Muhai Tang, with concerts
in Suzhou, Shanghai, Wuxi, Nanjing, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen
(October 6-17), performances that included the world premiere of
"Three Landscapes for Orchestra" by the Chinese composer
Xiaoyong Chen (commissioned by the Gulbenkian Foundation), and the
Chinese premiere of "Three Sketches for Orchestra" by the
Portuguese composer Joly Braga Santos. Following its appearance in
China, the Gulbenkian Orchestra and Choir visited Macau (October 17-23),
as part of the program of Macao's last International Music Festival
organized by the Portuguese Government in that territory before its
handover to the Chinese authorities, playing under conductors Muhai Tang
and Michel Corboz.
The Gulbenkian Orchestra has played with some of the greatest names in the music world, including the conductors Charles Dutoit, Frans Brüggen, John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Neville Marriner, Alain Lombard, Karl Richter, Claus Peter Flor and Kent Nagano, and the soloists Maria João Pires, Katia and Marielle Labèque, Ivo Pogorelich, Salvatore Accardo, Igor Oistrakh, Isaac Stern, Misha Maisky and Mstislav Rostropovitch, to mention just a few. In the 2000/2001 season collaborated with conductors such as Emmanuel Krivine, Philip Auguin, Günther Herbig, Michel Corboz, Rudolf Barshai, e Junichi Hirokami; and the soloists Jian Wang, Vladimir Spivakov, Lars Vogt, Maria João Pires, Süher and Güher Pekinel, Boris Belkin, Radu Lupu, Augustin Dumay, Matthias Goerne, Grigory Sokolov, Mikhail Pletnev, Anatol Ugorski, and Thomas Hampson. The Gulbenkian Orchestra has already made numerous recordings for Philips, Deutsche Grammophon, Erato, Adès, Nimbus, Lyrinx, FNAC Musique, Hyperion and Teldec, six of which dedicated to the Portuguese music. This activity was recognized by several important international prizes. In July 1998 the Gulbenkian Orchestra made a new recording for Deutsche Grammophon with Muhai Tang and the cellist Jian Wang (Haydn Cello Concertos), which was released in October 1999 to much critical acclaim. In May 2000, Orchestra Gulbenkian made another recording with the famous American guitarist Sharon Isbin for Teldec, wich was released in March 2001, presenting first world recordings of Tan Dun and Christopher Rouse Guitar Concerts. In March 2002 this recording was distinguished with a Grammy Award in the category of Best Contemporary Composition for Christopher Rouse's Concert de Gaudi. A new recording of Gulbenkian Orchestra conducted by Muhai Tang will be released in the near future featuring Fazil Say's Piano Concerto (who also performs as soloist) and Zhau Jiping's First Symphony. Muhai Tang was Principal Conductor of the Gulbenkian Orchestra from 1988 to 2001. Claudio Scimone, who held that position from 1979 to 1986, is Gulbenkian Orchestra's Honorary Conductor. Lawrence Foster is currently the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Gulbenkian Orchestra. October 2002 |
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| Representation:
Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Turkey
*) not exclusive |
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