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SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS | |
| Royal Philharmonic Orchestra London | ||
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| The
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was the inspired brainchild of Sir Thomas
Beecham. Following the Second World War, Beecham was keen to create a
new first-rate ensemble that would attract the very finest players from
around the country. On 15 September 1946, Beecham first raised his baton
at the head of what was to become the most celebrated of British
orchestras: the Royal Philharmonic. Since then the Orchestra has gone
from strength to strength, fully maintaining its founder's vision of
making the greatest music ever composed accessible to the widest
possible audience.
Between 1948 and 1963, the Royal Philharmonic was Glyndebourne Opera's resident orchestra and in 1950 became the first British orchestra to tour the United States in nearly forty years. Following Beecham's death in 1961, Rudolf Kempe took over the mantle of Principal Conductor until 1975. Since then the Orchestra has been led by such renowned artists as Antal Dorati, André Previn and Vladimir Ashkenazy. The brilliant young Italian maestro, Daniele Gatti, has been the Orchestra's Music Director since September 1996 in addition to his position as Music Director of the Teatro Comunale in Bologna. Gatti's inspired leadership continues to take the Royal Philharmonic to great heights. Tours of Italy, Spain, North America, Poland, France and Germany during the last two seasons have been rapturously received by the critics. The Orchestra's sensational appearance at the 2000 Proms inspired only superlatives. The Guardian reported that the Orchestra was on 'blistering form' in Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, producing a 'rich, sensual sound that Gatti infused with thrilling terror'. At the same time, the Orchestra, under Daniele Gatti, has produced a string of highly acclaimed recordings, including one of Mahler's Fourth Symphony that Gramophone magazine described as 'a triumph for all concerned' (Conifer/BMG 75605 51318-2). The Royal Philharmonic's London schedule includes an enterprising concert series at both the Barbican Centre and Royal Albert Hall. Its vibrant Community and Education Programme runs projects in London and throughout the UK and aims to bring music to as wide an audience as possible. The Orchestra's commitment to expanding opportunities for making music in new and innovative ways led, in 1996, to the creation of the new-music group Sharp Edge, whose members devise music in collaboration with composers within a strong community context. Furthermore, the RPO's contemporary music concerts and recordings continue to bring rich rewards, most recently during the 1999/2000 season when they premiered two trailblazing new works by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Summer 2001 marks the start of the RPO's exciting new residency at Opera Holland Park. |
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| Representation:
Liechtenstein *) not exclusive |
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