The
chamber orchestra
Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in a palace chamber or a large room. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small numb ...
Kammerorchester Basel (also: Kammerorchesterbasel) was founded in
Basel
, french: link=no, Bâlois(e), it, Basilese
, neighboring_municipalities= Allschwil (BL), Hégenheim (FR-68), Binningen (BL), Birsfelden (BL), Bottmingen (BL), Huningue (FR-68), Münchenstein (BL), Muttenz (BL), Reinach (BL), Riehen (B ...
, Switzerland, in 1984. In the tradition of
Paul Sacher's ''Basler Kammerorchester'', its focus is on both
early music
Early music generally comprises Medieval music (500–1400) and Renaissance music (1400–1600), but can also include Baroque music (1600–1750). Originating in Europe, early music is a broad musical era for the beginning of Western classi ...
and
contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music is classical music composed close to the present day. At the beginning of the 21st century, it commonly referred to the post-1945 Modernism (music), modern forms of Post-tonal music theory, post-tonal music after th ...
. The orchestra plays regularly without a conductor with their leading concertmasters Julia Schröder, Daniel Bard and Baptiste Lopez.
The Basel Chamber Orchestra is recognised as one of the leading chamber orchestras in the classical music scene. Invitations to the most important worldwide concert houses and festivals shape their agenda, as well as their own subscription concerts in Basel.
Principal Guest Conductor
Giovanni Antonini
Giovanni Antonini (born 1965) is an Italian conductor and soloist on the recorder and baroque transverse flute. He studied in his native Milan, and attended the Civica Scuola di Musica in that city and the Centre de Musique Ancienne in Geneva. In ...
has been the Principal Guest Conductor of the Basel Chamber Orchestra since the 2015/16 season. The conductor and flute player from Milan is known for his innovative interpretations of the baroque and classical repertoire.
History
Kammerorchester Basel, then called Serenata Basel, was formed by graduates of Swiss music academies. It was conducted by Johannes Schläfli until 1999.
The ensemble assumed its present name in 1999 and has had no principal conductor since.
Since then the chamber orchestra has developed its programme under the leadership of its own concertmasters and guests, as well as in cooperation with selected soloists like
Maria João Pires
Maria João Alexandre Barbosa Pires (; born 23 July 1944) is a Portuguese classical pianist, widely regarded as one of the leading interpreters of Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin.
Early life and education
Pires was born in Lisbon, Portugal, a posthu ...
,
Sol Gabetta,
Nuria Rial
Núria Rial (born 1975 in Manresa, Catalonia, Spain) is a Spanish soprano. In recent years, Rial has specialized in the music of the renaissance and baroque eras, such as the works of Handel and Monteverdi. Her repertoire also includes Johann S ...
,
Christoph Prégardien
Christoph Prégardien (born 18 January 1956) is a German lyric tenor whose career is closely associated with the roles in Mozart operas, as well as performances of Lieder, oratorio roles, and Baroque music. He is well known for his performances ...
,
Erwin Schrott,
Khatia Buniatishvili and
Patricia Kopatchinskaja, as well as conductors like
Trevor Pinnock,
Mario Venzago
Mario Venzago (born 1948) is a Swiss conductor.
Biography
Venzago began piano studies at age five. He studied at the conservatory and the university in Zurich. He later studied conducting with Hans Swarowsky in Vienna.
His other positions ...
,
Heinz Holliger,
René Jacobs and
Christophe Rousset.
The orchestra performs both early and modern music and continues the tradition of
Paul Sacher's Basler Kammerorchester (1926–1987).
Music up to the
classical period is performed on
period instruments. Every year the orchestra also commissions new works.
Performances are often led by the concertmaster. Guest conductors have included
Paul Goodwin,
Christopher Hogwood
Christopher Jarvis Haley Hogwood (10 September 194124 September 2014) was an English conductor, harpsichordist, writer, and musicologist. Founder of the early music ensemble the Academy of Ancient Music, he was an authority on historically i ...
,
Kristjan Järvi,
Paul McCreesh and
David Stern.
Guest performances at the most popular concert halls in the world and regular invitations to renowned festivals around Europe are proof of the high level of recognition of the most internationally successful Chamber Orchestra in Switzerland.
Since 2015/16,
Giovanni Antonini
Giovanni Antonini (born 1965) is an Italian conductor and soloist on the recorder and baroque transverse flute. He studied in his native Milan, and attended the Civica Scuola di Musica in that city and the Centre de Musique Ancienne in Geneva. In ...
, with whom the Basel Chamber Orchestra has had a close artistic relationship for years, has been the Principal Guest Conductor.
Music
In 2004, Kammerorchester Basel played Handel's opera ''
Lotario'' both in Basel and at the
Handel Festival Halle.
They recorded all of
Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classic ...
's symphonies, led by conductor
Giovanni Antonini
Giovanni Antonini (born 1965) is an Italian conductor and soloist on the recorder and baroque transverse flute. He studied in his native Milan, and attended the Civica Scuola di Musica in that city and the Centre de Musique Ancienne in Geneva. In ...
. A review of
Symphony No. 5 noted the "period practice lightness, despite the use of modern instrument", "refinement and delicacy", "fleet-footedness in the scherzo – particular from the running basses and cellos at the start of the trio", and the finale "thrillingly and refreshingly done, remarkable, once again, for the care and attention to details".
In 2011, the orchestra accompanied
Andreas Scholl
Andreas Scholl (born 10 November 1967) is a German countertenor, a male classical singer in the alto vocal range, specialising in Baroque music.
Born into a family of singers, Scholl was enrolled at the age of seven into the Kiedricher Chorbube ...
in a recording of
Bach cantata
The cantatas composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, known as Bach cantatas (German: ), are a body of work consisting of over 200 surviving independent works, and at least several dozen that are considered lost. As far as known, Bach's earliest cant ...
s including
''Ich habe genug'', BWV 82 and
''Gott soll allein mein Herze haben'', BWV 169.
A review described the orchestra, led by concert master Julia Schröder, as "lively and definitive" and noted that it provided "a clear and articulated accompaniment throughout".
They performed the works at the
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is a performing arts centre in the Barbican Estate of the City of London and the largest of its kind in Europe. The centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhib ...
in 2012.
In 2013, they combined them with the sinfonia from cantata
''Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe'', BWV 156, and Bach's
Harpsichord concerto No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1056. Members of the orchestra sang and played the closing chorale of BWV 169.
In 2013 they played, conducted by
Mario Venzago
Mario Venzago (born 1948) is a Swiss conductor.
Biography
Venzago began piano studies at age five. He studied at the conservatory and the university in Zurich. He later studied conducting with Hans Swarowsky in Vienna.
His other positions ...
, ''Sommernacht'' for string orchestra by
Othmar Schoeck
Othmar Schoeck (1 September 1886 – 8 March 1957) was a Swiss Romantic classical composer, opera composer, musician, and conductor.
He was known mainly for his considerable output of art songs and song cycles, though he also wrote a number ...
, the
first cello concerto by Dmitri Shostakovich with
Sol Gabetta as soloist, and Schubert's
Symphony No. 7.
Awards
In 2008, Kammerorchester Basel won the
ECHO Klassik award as "Ensemble of the Year".
In 2012, the orchestra, led by Julia Schröder, won the award for the "Opera Recording of the Year", arias by
Georg Philipp Telemann sung by
Nuria Rial
Núria Rial (born 1975 in Manresa, Catalonia, Spain) is a Spanish soprano. In recent years, Rial has specialized in the music of the renaissance and baroque eras, such as the works of Handel and Monteverdi. Her repertoire also includes Johann S ...
.
The first Swiss orchestra to receive a Swiss Music Prize in 2019 - the Kammerorchester Basel now receives this recognition. The Federal Office of Culture thus appreciates the "special vision of creating a classical orchestra beyond the longstanding institutions". In addition, the "excellent programmes at the highest musical level" and "new forms of communication aimed not only at connoisseurs but also at children and amateurs" will be highlighted.
The award ceremony took place on 20 September 2019 at the
Kunstmuseum Basel in the presence of Federal Councillor
Alain Berset
Alain Berset (; born 9 April 1972) is a Swiss politician who has served as a Member of the Swiss Federal Council since 2012. A member of the Social Democratic Party (SP/PS), he has headed the Federal Department of Home Affairs since he took off ...
and the Director of the Federal Office of Culture
Isabelle Chassot.
Projects
The Schubert Cycle
Between 2017 and 2019,
Heinz Holliger's 80th birthday, the Basel Chamber Orchestra will make a cyclical complete recording of all of
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert (; 31 January 179719 November 1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. Despite his short lifetime, Schubert left behind a vast ''oeuvre'', including more than 600 secular vocal wo ...
's
symphonies
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning co ...
in conjunction with selected opera overtures, together with the Swiss conductor and composer, and present them in concerts – some of which are also played in contrast to selected compositions of Holliger.
Haydn 2032
By 2032, Haydn's 300th birthday, the Chamber Orchestra will perform all of
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn ( , ; 31 March 173231 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions to musical form have le ...
's
symphonies
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning co ...
, under the leadership of Principal Guest Conductor Giovanni Antonini, alternately with his own Ensemble
Il Giardino Armonico, in thematic cycles across Europe, using authentic instruments, with the original composition and in the historic pitch of
430 Hz.
References
External links
Kammerorchester BaselOfficial website
*
Kammerorchester Basel/Schröder/Hewitt ''
The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers '' The Observer'' and '' The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the ...
'', 25 May 2010
{{Authority control
Swiss orchestras
Chamber orchestras
Early music orchestras
Culture in Basel
1984 establishments in Switzerland
Musical groups established in 1984