The Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (German: ''Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR'') was a German radio orchestra based in

Stuttgart Stuttgart (; Swabian: ; ) is the capital and largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It is located on the Neckar river in a fertile valley known as the ''Stuttgarter Kessel'' (Stuttgart Cauldron) and lies an hour from the Sw ...

in Germany.

History

The ensemble was founded in 1945 by American occupation authorities as the orchestra for Radio Stuttgart, under the name ''Sinfonieorchester von Radio Stuttgart'' (Symphony Orchestra of Radio Stuttgart). The radio network later became the Süddeutscher Rundfunk (SDR, South German Radio), and the orchestra changed its name in 1949 to the ''Sinfonieorchester des Süddeutschen Rundfunks'' (South German Radio Symphony Orchestra). In 1959, the orchestra took on the name ''Südfunk-Sinfonieorchester''. The orchestra acquired its final name in 1975. Like many broadcast orchestras in Germany, the orchestra had a reputation for performing contemporary music. Past principal conductors included Sir Neville Marriner (1983–1989), who later held the title of principal guest conductor. Georges Prêtre, who became the orchestra's artistic director in 1996, later held the title of ''Ehrendirigent'' (honorary conductor) with the orchestra. From 1998 to 2011, Roger Norrington was principal conductor, and incorporated his ideas of historically informed performance, including minimal use of vibrato, into the orchestra's style of playing. Following his tenure with the orchestra, Norrington shared the title of ''Ehrendirigent'' with Georges Prêtre. In March 2010, the orchestra announced the appointment of

Stéphane Denève Stéphane Denève (born 24 November 1971) is a French conductor. He is currently music director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the New World Symphony. Biography Denève was born in Tourcoing, France, and graduated ...

as its next principal conductor, starting with the 2011-2012 season. His initial contract was for 3 years. In June 2013, the orchestra announced the extension of Denève's contract through the 2015-2016 season. Denève concluded his tenure as chief conductor at the close of the 2015-2016 season, and was the final conductor to hold the title of chief conductor of the orchestra. In June 2012, the SWR Broadcasting Council voted to approve a measure proposed by SWR ''Intendant'' Peter Boudgoust to merge the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra with the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra, for ostensible reasons of budgetary limitations for two separate orchestras affiliated with the SWR. The SWR Broadcasting Council formally passed the measure in September 2012, with the merger of the two orchestras scheduled to occur in 2016. International protests at the proposal emerged. The orchestra gave its final concert on 28 July 2016 under the direction of Norrington, at the

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...

as part of The Proms. The replacement orchestra is the

SWR Symphonieorchester The SWR Symphonieorchester (Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra) is a radio orchestra affiliated with the '' Südwestrundfunk'' (Southwest German Radio) public broadcasting network. Formed in 2016, the orchestra is administratively based in ...

. The orchestra recorded for several labels, including Hänssler and ECM New Series.

Principal conductors

* Hans Müller-Kray (1948–1969) *

Sergiu Celibidache Sergiu Celibidache (; 14 August 1996) was a Romanian conductor, composer, musical theorist, and teacher. Educated in his native Romania, and later in Paris and Berlin, Celibidache's career in music spanned over five decades, including tenures ...

(1971–1977) * Neville Marriner (1983–1989) * Gianluigi Gelmetti (1989–1998) * Roger Norrington (1998–2011) *

(2011–2016)

References

External links

Wayback Machine internet archive page on the RSO-Stuttgart homepage (German)

* ttp://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/SWR.htm Bach Cantatas page on the orchestra {{Authority control German symphony orchestras Disbanded orchestras Musical groups established in 1945 Musical groups disestablished in 2016 Musical groups from Stuttgart Radio and television orchestras 1945 establishments in Germany 2016 disestablishments in Germany