The Odense Symphony Orchestra (Odense Symfoniorkester) is a Danish symphony orchestra based in

Odense Odense ( , , ) is the third largest city in Denmark (behind Copenhagen and Aarhus) and the largest city on the island of Funen. As of 1 January 2022, the city proper had a population of 180,863 while Odense Municipality had a population of 20 ...

. The orchestra is resident in the Odense Concert Hall (inaugurated in 1982), specifically in the Carl Nielsen Hall (seating capacity of 1,212). Since 2007, its chief executive is Finn Schumacker.

History

The precursor roots of the orchestra date to the early 19th century. The orchestra was established under its current name in 1946. The orchestra initially began with 23 musicians, as a theatre orchestra. The current orchestra numbers on the order of 73 permanent musicians and a high level of activity. The orchestra's most recent chief conductor was

Alexander Vedernikov Alexander Alexandrovich Vedernikov (; 11 January 1964 – 29 October 2020) was a Russian conductor. He held major posts with the Bolshoi Theatre the Odense Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Danish Opera, and the Mikhailovsky Theatre. Biography Born ...

, who served in the post from 2009 to 2018. Vedernikov now has the title of ''æresdirigent'' (honorary conductor) of the orchestra. In October 2019,

Pierre Bleuse Pierre Bleuse (born 6 November 1977) is a French violinist and conductor. Biography Bleuse was born in Boulogne-Billancourt into a family of musicians: his father Marc Bleuse is a composer, his mother Anne Fondeville is an opera singer, his brot ...

first guest-conducted the orchestra, and returned for an additional guest-conducting engagement in February 2020, as a substitute for Vedernikov. In April 2020, the orchestra announced the appointment of Bleuse as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2021–2022 season, with an initial contract of 3 seasons.

Chief conductors

* Poul Ingerslev-Jensen (1946–1948) * Arne Hammelboe (1948–1949) * Martellius Lundqvist (1949–1967) *

Karol Stryja Karol Stryja (2 February 1915 in Cieszyn – 31 January 1998 in Katowice) was a Polish conductor and teacher. Stryja, son of a tailor, was born in Cieszyn and finished elementary school, gymnasium and teachers' seminary there. Since 1934 he wo ...

(1968–1984) * Tamás Vetö (1984–1987) *

Othmar Mága Othmar Mága (30 June 1929 – 28 January 2020) was a German conductor, who was chief conductor internationally, including the Odense Symphony Orchestra in Denmark and the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Korea. Among his many recordings are several ra ...

(1987–1991) * Edward Serov (1991–1995) * Jan Wagner (1997–2002) *

Paul Mann Paul Mann (December 2, 1913 – September 24, 1985) was a Canadian film and theater actor, as well as founder of the Paul Mann Actor's Workshop. His brother was the actor Larry D. Mann. Biography Mann was influential in developing the concept of ...

(2005–2008) *

(2009–2018) *

(designate, effective 2021)

References

{{Authority control Danish orchestras Musical groups established in 1946 1946 establishments in Denmark

History

Chief conductors

See also

References