The Munich Chamber Orchestra (german: Münchener Kammerorchester, links=no, italic=no, or MKO) is a German

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 numbe ...

based in Munich. Its primary concert venue is the Prinzregententheater, Munich. The MKO also gives concerts in Munich at such venues as the

Pinakothek der Moderne The Pinakothek der Moderne (, '' Pinakothek of the Modern'') is a modern art museum, situated in central Munich's ''Kunstareal''. Locals sometimes refer to it as the ''Dritte'' ("third") ''Pinakothek'' after the Old and New. It is one of the world' ...

and the ', and at the ' during the Munich Biennale.

History

Christoph Stepp founded the MKO in 1950.

Hans Stadlmair Hans Stadlmair (3 May 1929 – 13 February 2019) was an Austrian conductor and composer. He conducted the Münchener Kammerorchester for almost four decades. He conducted more than 6000 concerts, many in collaboration with the Bayerischer Rundfu ...

was the artistic director from 1956 to 1995, and conducted the orchestra in over 4000 concerts, including international tours and collaborations with the Bayerischer Rundfunk. From 1995 to 2006,

Christoph Poppen Christoph Poppen (born 9 March 1956) is a German conductor, violinist and academic teacher. Career Poppen was born in Münster. As a violinist, he was awarded first prize in the Kocian Violin Competition age 14. He studied the violin with Kur ...

was principal conductor of the MKO. Alexander Liebreich has been the principal conductor and artistic director from 2006 until 2016. Clemens Schuldt has been principal conductor since the 2016/17 season. The MKO has regularly commissioned music from such contemporary composers as Erkki-Sven Tüür,

Georg Friedrich Haas Georg Friedrich Haas (born 16 August 1953 in Graz, Austria) is an Austrian composer. In a 2017 ''Classic Voice'' poll of the greatest works of art music since 2000, pieces by Haas received the most votes (49), and his composition ''in vain'' (20 ...

, Thomas Larcher, Iannis Xenakis and Wolfgang Rihm, among others. In 1971 the orchestra premiered

Wilhelm Killmayer Wilhelm Killmayer (21 August 1927 – 20 August 2017) was a German composer of classical music, a conductor and an academic teacher of composition at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München from 1973 to 1992. He composed symphonies and son ...

's ''fin al punto'', composed for its 20th anniversary. The MKO and the Philharmonie

Essen Essen (; Latin: ''Assindia'') is the central and, after Dortmund, second-largest city of the Ruhr, the largest urban area in Germany. Its population of makes it the fourth-largest city of North Rhine-Westphalia after Cologne, Düsseldorf and D ...

commissioned Jörg Widmann's ''ad absurdum'', Concerto for trumpet in B and small orchestra, which premiered on 18 January 2006 with soloist

Sergei Nakariakov Sergei Mikhailovich Nakariakov (russian: Серге́й Михайлович Накаряков; ; born May 10, 1977, in Gorky) is a Russian-Israeli virtuoso trumpeter residing in Paris, France, who came to prominence in the late 1990s. He rel ...

. In 2010 the orchestra premiered

Peter Ruzicka Peter Ruzicka (born 3 July 1948) is a German composer and conductor of classical music. He was director of the Hamburg State Opera, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Hamburg and the Salzburg Festival. Ruzicka was managing director and Intendant of ...

's ''TRANS''.

Awards

The MKO was awarded the

Musikpreis der Landeshauptstadt München The Musikpreis der Landeshauptstadt München (Music Prize of the City of Munich) is an award, awarded since 1992, initially every two years but since 2000, every three years, alternating with the Theaterpreis and the Tanzpreis. The music prize re ...

in 2000, the prize for the best concert programming from the Deutscher Musikverleger-Verband (German association of music publishers) for the seasons 2001/02 and 2005/06, the

Cannes Classical Award The International Classical Music Awards (ICMA) are music awards first awarded 6 April 2011. ICMA replace the Cannes Classical Awards (later called MIDEM Classical Awards) formerly awarded at MIDEM. The jury consists of music critics of magazines ' ...

in 2002, the

Prize of the Christoph and Stephan Kaske Foundation The Prize of the Christoph and Stephan Kaske Foundation () is an annual award for promotion of new music. It was founded in 1988 by Karlheinz and Christiane Kaske in memory of their sons Christoph and Stephan. has its legal seat in Munich. The ai ...

in 2002 with

, the Ernst von Siemens Förderpreis in 2001 to 2003. In 2008, the

Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste in München (Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts) is an association of renowned personalities in Munich, Bavaria. It was founded by the Free State of Bavaria in 1948, continuing a tradition established in 1808 by ...

awarded the prize ''Neues Hören'' (New Listening) of the foundation ''Neue Musik im Dialog'' (New Music Dialogue) for the successful delivery of contemporary music to the chamber orchestra.

Selected recordings

* Karl Amadeus Hartmann: ''Funèbre'', with

Isabelle Faust Isabelle Faust (born 19 March 1972) is a German violinist who has worked internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. She received multiple awards. Life and career Faust was born in Esslingen on 12 March 1972. She received her first vio ...

(violin), Paul Meyer, Petersen String Quartet, conducted by

, ECM New Series (2000) *

Sofia Gubaidulina Sofia Asgatovna Gubaidulina (russian: Софи́я Асгáтовна Губaйду́лина, link=no , tt-Cyrl, София Әсгать кызы Гобәйдуллина; born 24 October 1931) is a Soviet-Russian composer and an established ...

: ''Sieben Worte'' / ''Zehn Präludien'' / ''De Profundis'', with Elsbeth Moser (

bayan Bayan may refer to: Eduational Institutions * Bayan Islamic Graduate School, Chicago, IL Places *Bayan-Aul, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan *Bayan Mountain, an ancient mountain name for part of Tarbagatai Mountains at Kazakhstan in Qing Dynasty period *B ...

), Boris Pergamentschikow (cello), conducted by Christoph Poppen ECM New Series (2002) * Bach / Webern: ''Ricercar'', including Bach cantata '' Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4'', with the

Hilliard Ensemble The Hilliard Ensemble was a British male vocal quartet originally devoted to the performance of early music. The group was named after the Elizabethan miniaturist painter Nicholas Hilliard. Founded in 1974, the group disbanded in 2014. Although ...

, conducted by Christoph Poppen, ECM New Series (2003) *

Tigran Mansurian Tigran Yeghiayi Mansurian ( hy, Տիգրան Եղիայի Մանսուրյան; born 27 January 1939) is a leading Armenian composer of classical music and film scores, People's Artist of the Armenian SSR (1990), and Honored Art Worker of the Arm ...

: ''Monodia'', with Kim Kashkashian,

Leonidas Kavakos Leonidas Kavakos ( el, Λεωνίδας Καβάκος; born 30 October 1967) is a Greek violinist and conductor. As a violinist, he has won prizes at several international violin competitions, including the Sibelius, Paganini, Naumburg, and In ...

, Jan Garbarek,

, conducted by Christoph Poppen, ECM New Series (2004) * Barry Guy: ''Folio'', with Maya Homburger (baroque violin), Muriel Cantoreggi (violin), Barry Guy (double bass), conducted by Christoph Poppen, ECM New Series (2005) *

Giacinto Scelsi Giacinto Francesco Maria Scelsi (; 8 January 1905 – 9 August 1988, sometimes cited as 8 August 1988) was an Italian composer who also wrote surrealist poetry in French. He is best known for having composed music based around only one pitch, ...

: ''Natura Renovatur'', with Frances-Marie Uitti, conducted by Christoph Poppen, ECM New Series (2006) *

Valentyn Sylvestrov Valentyn Vasylyovych Sylvestrov ( uk, Валенти́н Васи́льович Сильве́стров; born 30 September 1937) is a Ukrainian composer and pianist, who plays and writes contemporary classical music. Biography Valentyn Vasylyov ...

: ''Bagatellen und Serenaden'', with Valentyn Sylvestrov and

Alexei Lubimov Alexei Lubimov (born 1944 as Алексе́й Бори́сович Люби́мов, Alexey Borisovich Lyubimov) is a Russian pianist, fortepianist and harpsichordist. Lubimov studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Heinrich Neuhaus and Lev Nau ...

(piano), conducted by Christoph Poppen, ECM New Series (2007) * Haydn / Yun: ''Farewell'' conducted by Alexander Liebreich ECM New Series (2008) * ''Neharót'', works of

Betty Olivero Betty Olivero ( he, בטי אוליברו; b. 16 May 1954) is an Israeli music educator and composer. Biography Olivero was born in Tel Aviv, Israel to parents Dora Kapon and Eli Olivero. She graduated with a Bachelor in Music from the Rubin Acad ...

, Komitas and Eitan Steinberg, with Kim Kashkashian, conducted by Alexander Liebreich ECM New Series (2009) * ''Madhares'', works of Thomas Larcher for piano and orchestra with Till Fellner, for viola and chamber orchestra with Kim Kashkashian, conducted by Dennis Russell Davies ECM New Series (2010) * Toshio Hosokawa: ''Landscape'', with

Mayumi Miyata is a Japanese player of the '' shō'', a traditional Japanese mouth organ. Miyata was born on April 1, 1954, in Tokyo and graduated from the Kunitachi College of Music, where she majored in piano. While in school, she began studying '' gagaku ...

( shō), conducted by Alexander Liebreich ECM New Series (2011) * Fauré: ''Requiem'', with Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, conducted by

Peter Dijkstra Peter Dijkstra (born 11 June 1978) is a Dutch conductor, especially of choirs and vocal ensembles. Born in Roden, Drenthe, Dijkstra sang in his youth in Jongenskoor Roder, a boys' choir, which his father, Bouwe Dijkstra, founded in 1985. He sang t ...

Sony Classical (2011), rewarded with ECHO KLASSIK 2012 *

Rossini Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer who gained fame for his 39 operas, although he also wrote many songs, some chamber music and piano pieces, and some sacred music. He set new standards f ...

: Ouvertures, conducted by Alexander Liebreich Sony Classical (2011) * ''Der Charme der Oboe'', works of Cimarosa,

Bellini Bellini is an Italian name, Italian surname, formed as a patronymic or plural form of Bellino (surname), Bellino. People *Family of Italian painters: **Jacopo Bellini (c. 1396–c. 1470), father of Gentile and Giovanni **Gentile Bellini (c. 1429� ...

etc., with

François Leleux François Leleux (born July 1971 in Croix, Nord) is a French oboist, conductor, and professor. His professional career began at 18 when he became principal oboe at the Paris Opera. He went on to win a solo position at the Bavarian Radio Symphony Or ...

(Oboe), Daniel Giglberger (concertmaster) Sony Classical (2012) *

Nikolaus Brass Nikolaus Brass (born 25 October 1949) is a German composer. Life and career Born in Lindau (Bodensee), Brass began composing early.Helmut Rohm: Commentary on the CD ''Orchestral Works, Vol.1'' After graduating from high school in 1968, he stu ...

: ''Zeit im Grund / Von wachsender Gegenwart'', with Beate Zelinsky, David Smeyers (clarinet), conducted by Alexander Liebreich NEOS (2013) *

W. A. Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 17565 December 1791), baptised as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition r ...

: ''Große Messe in c-Moll'', with Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, conducted by

Sony Classical (2013) * W. A. Mozart: ''Requiem'', with Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, conducted by Alexander Liebreich Sony Classical (2014) * W. A. Mozart: Flötenkonzerte, with Magali Mosnier (flute), Daniel Giglberger (concertmaster) Sony Classical (2015) *

Mendelssohn Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 18094 November 1847), born and widely known as Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic music, Romantic period. Mendelssohn's compositi ...

: ''Sommernachtstraum / Symphony No. 4'', with Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, conducted by Alexander Liebreich Sony Classical (2015) * Haydn / Hummel: Prince Esterházy Concertos, with

(oboe), Daniel Giglberger (concertmaster) Sony Classical (2015) * Cello Concertos by Haydn / W. A. Mozart/Cassadó,

C.P.E. Bach Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (8 March 1714 – 14 December 1788), also formerly spelled Karl Philipp Emmanuel Bach, and commonly abbreviated C. P. E. Bach, was a German Classical period musician and composer, the fifth child and sec ...

, with Valentin Radutiu (cello), conducted by Stephan Frucht hänssler classic (2016) * '' Anton &

Paul Wranitzky Paul Wranitzky (Czech: Pavel Vranický, 30 December 1756 – 29 September 1808) was a Moravian-Austrian classical composer. His half brother, Antonín, was also a composer. Life Wranitzky was born in Neureisch ( Nová Říše) in Habsburg Mora ...

'' with Veriko Tchumburidze (violin), Chiara Enderle (cello), conducted by

Howard Griffiths Howard Griffiths may refer to: *Howard Griffiths (conductor) (born 1950), British conductor *Howard Griffiths (scientist), British plant scientist *Howard Griffiths (presenter), British television presenter *Howard Griffiths (screenwriter) (1935– ...

Sony Classical 2016 *

: Requiem, with

RIAS Kammerchor The RIAS Kammerchor (RIAS Chamber Choir) is a German choir based in Berlin, Germany. It receives support from the Rundfunk Orchester und Chöre GmbH Berlin ("Berlin Radio Orchestra and Choirs"), a limited-liability company owned by the public bro ...

, Alexander Liebreich ECM New Series (2017) *

Franz Danzi Franz Ignaz Danzi (15 June 1763 – 13 April 1826) was a German cellist, composer and conductor, the son of the Italian cellist Innocenz Danzi (1730–1798) and brother of the noted singer Franzeska Danzi. Danzi lived at a significant time in t ...

, with Nareh Arghamanyan (piano), Aurélien Pascal (cello), conducted by

Sony Classical / BR-Klassik 2017 * Milica Djordjević: ''rocks – stars – metals – light'', i.a. conducted by Clemens Schuldt, col legno / BR-Klassik (2017) * ''Concertante!'' Les Vents Français, Daniel Giglberger (concertmaster) Warner Classics / BR-Klassik (2018)

Principal conductors

(1956–1995) *

(1995–2006) * Alexander Liebreich (2006–2016) * Clemens Schuldt (2016–present)

References

External links

*
Clemens Schuldt
official website *

bach-cantatas.com
Münchener Kammerorchester unter Christoph Poppen mit dem Preis für das Beste Konzertprogramm der Saison ausgezeichnet
Deutscher Musikverleger-Verband, 22 May 2006 {{Authority control Chamber orchestras

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 numbe ...

String orchestras ECM Records artists 1950 establishments in West Germany Musical groups established in 1950