The Zurich Chamber Orchestra (Zürcher Kammerorchester; ZKO, German abbreviation) is a Swiss

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 Zurich. The ZKO's principal concert venue in Zurich is the Tonhalle. The ZKO also performs in Zurich at the

Schauspielhaus Zürich The Schauspielhaus Zürich ( en, Zürich playhouse) is one of the most prominent and important theatres in the German-speaking world. It is also known as "Pfauenbühne" (Peacock Stage). The large theatre has 750 seats. The also operates three st ...

, the ''ZKO-Haus'' in the Seefeld quarter of the city, and such churches as the

Fraumünster The Fraumünster (; lit. in en, Women's Minster, but often wrongly translated to urLady Minster) is a church in Zürich which was built on the remains of a former abbey for aristocratic women which was founded in 853 by Louis the German for h ...

and the Kirche St. Peter. The ZKO presents approximately 40 performances in Zurich each year, in addition to approximately 40 children's concerts and performances elsewhere in Switzerland and abroad. In the 2016–2017, season the total number of concerts was151, a record for the ZKO. The core of the ZKO consists of 28 permanent members (string players, flute, oboe, horn, harpsichord), with other sections (woodwinds, strings, brass, harp and percussion) used as needed.

Edmond de Stoutz Edmond de Stoutz (18 December 1920 – 28 January 1997) was a Swiss conductor from Zurich. He was the founder of the Zürcher Kammerorchester (Zurich Chamber Orchestra) in 1945 and conducted the ensemble until 1996. As conductor he performed all ...

founded the ZKO in the aftermath of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, and led its first concerts in 1945. He served as artistic leader and principal conductor of the ZKO until 1996. He commissioned many works, including

Peter Mieg Peter Mieg (5 September 1906 – 7 December 1990) was a Swiss composer, painter and journalist. Biography Mieg was born in Lenzburg where he spent almost all his life. He studied art history, archaeology, music history as well as French and ...

's ''Concerto for oboe and orchestra'' (1957) and Frank Martin's ''Polyptyque for violin and two small string orchestras'' (1973). In 1996, Howard Griffiths assumed the post of artistic director and served until 2006.

Muhai Tang Muhai Tang (; born 1949 in Shanghai) is a Chinese conductor. He is the youngest son of celebrated Chinese film director Tang Xiaodan and brother of painter and poet Tang Muli. Tang initially learned music with his parents, and later studied ...

was the ZKO's third principal conductor and artistic director, from 2006 through 2011. Sir Roger Norrington was its fourth principal conductor, starting with the 2011–2012 season. He concluded his ZKO tenure after the 2015–2016 season and now has the title of honorary conductor with the ZKO.

Daniel Hope Daniel Hope (born 17 August 1973, Durban, South Africa) is a European classical violinist. Early life and education Hope was born in Durban, South Africa, and is of Irish and Jewish German descent, his maternal grandparents, formerly from Be ...

became its music director in the 2016–2017 season. The ZKO enjoys a particular collaboration in baroque music with

Maurice Steger Maurice Steger (born 1971 in Winterthur, Switzerland) is a Swiss recorder player and conductor, mostly in Baroque music. Career Maurice Steger is a frequent guest soloist with leading Baroque ensembles such as the Akademie für Alte Musik Ber ...

. In the US, the ZKO first appeared in New York City in 1955. It was the first Swiss orchestra ever to go on a tour through the USA. The ZKO made its Boston debut in 1967 for the

Peabody Mason Concert Benefactor The name Peabody Mason comes from Miss Fanny Peabody Mason, who until her death in 1948 was an active patron of music both in the United States and abroad. Her musical interests were piano, singing and chamber music. Concert series ...

series. Since then the ZKO visited the US several times, latest in November 2019. The ZKO has made commercial recordings for such labels as Omega, Novalis, Claves, Teldec, CPO, and Sony. In 2017 two of the orchestra's CD-releases were honoured with an Echo Classic Award in the Classics Without Borders category: ''For Seasons'' with Daniel Hope as soloist and ''ÜberBach'' with Sebastian Knauer on the piano.

Artistic directors and principal conductors

(1945–1996) * Howard Griffiths (1996–2006) *

(2006–2011) * Sir Roger Norrington (2011–2016) *

(2016–present)

Discography (newer publications)

* ''Zwingli - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.'' Works by

Diego Baldenweg with Nora Baldenweg and Lionel Baldenweg Diego Baldenweg with Nora Baldenweg and Lionel Baldenweg is the Swiss/Australian composer trio also firming as Great Garbo, stylised GREAT GARBO, and sometimes referred to as the ''Baldenweg siblings''. Career The three siblings Diego Bald ...

. Soloist: Daniel Hope (Violin). GREAT GARBO music, 2019.film music review by Movie Music International''
/ref> * ''Journey to Mozart.'' Works by

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 (music), Classical period. Despite his short life, his ra ...

and his contemporaries. Soloist: Daniel Hope (violin).

Deutsche Grammophon Deutsche Grammophon (; DGG) is a German classical music record label that was the precursor of the corporation PolyGram. Headquartered in Berlin Friedrichshain, it is now part of Universal Music Group (UMG) since its merger with the UMG family of ...

, 2018. * ''Bach & Sons 2.'' Works by

J. S. Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his orchestral music such as the '' Brandenburg Concertos''; instrumental compositions such as the Cello Suites; keyboard wo ...

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 ...

, and J. Chr. Bach. Soloist: Sebastian Knauer (piano).

Berlin Classics Berlin ( , ) is the capital and List of cities in Germany by population, largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European Union by population within ci ...

, 2017. * ''Four Seasons.'' Works by

Vivaldi Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (4 March 1678 – 28 July 1741) was an Italian composer, virtuoso violinist and impresario of Baroque music. Regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers, Vivaldi's influence during his lifetime was widespread a ...

Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his orchestral music such as the '' Brandenburg Concertos''; instrumental compositions such as the Cello Suites; keyboard w ...

, Frahm,

Gonzales Gonzales may refer to: Places * Gonzales, California, U.S. * Gonzales, Louisiana, U.S. * Gonzales, Texas, U.S. * Gonzales County, Texas Other uses * Battle of Gonzales, 1835 * Gonzales (horse) (1977 – after 1996), an American-bred Thoroughbred ...

i. a. Soloist: Daniel Hope (violin). Deutsche Grammophon, 2017. (Honoured with an Echo Classic Award 2017) * ''ÜberBach.'' Works by Arash Safaian. Soloists: Sebastian Knauer (Klavier),

Pascal Schumacher Pascal Schumacher (born 12 March 1979 in Luxemburg) is a Luxembourgish jazz musician, composer and percussionist who has founded a number of groups including the Pascal Schumacher Quartet. He also plays and composes classical chamber music. Edu ...

. Neue Meister, 2016. (Honoured with an Echo Classic Award 2017) *

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 led ...

: ''Paris Symphonies.'' Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington.

Sony Classical Sony Classical is an American record label founded in 1924 as Columbia Masterworks Records, a subsidiary of Columbia Records. In 1980, the Columbia Masterworks label was renamed as CBS Masterworks Records. The CBS Records Group was acquired by S ...

, 2015. * ''Ave Maria / Rejoice / Hallelujah.'' Works by

Handel George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel (; baptised , ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque composer well known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concertos. Handel received his training i ...

, Mozart, Bach i. a. Soloists: Jonah Schenkel, Conductor: Alphons von Aarburg, Choir: Zürcher Sängerknaben. Tudor, 2015. * Johann Sebastian Bach: ''Klavierkonzerte BWV 1052–1058.'' Soloist: Yorck Kronenberg. Genuin classics, 2014. * Mozart: ''Serenade No. 5, K. 204/213a, Divertimento No. 10, K. 247 «Lodronische Nachtmusik».'' Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington. Sony Classical, 2014. * ''Vienna 1789.'' Works by Mozart, Haydn and

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 classical ...

. Soloist: Sebastian Knauer (piano), Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington. Berlin Classics, 2013. * ''Serenade: Songs for Clarinet.'' Works by

Brahms Johannes Brahms (; 7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the mid-Romantic period. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, he spent much of his professional life in Vienna. He is sometimes grouped with ...

, Grieg, Mozart,

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 wor ...

und

Schumann Robert Schumann (; 8 June 181029 July 1856) was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career a ...

. Soloist: Fabio Di Càsola. Sony Classical, 2013. *

Stravinsky Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky (6 April 1971) was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor, later of French (from 1934) and American (from 1945) citizenship. He is widely considered one of the most important and influential 20th-century clas ...

: ''

Histoire du Soldat ' (''The Soldier's Tale'') is a theatrical work "to be read, played, and danced" () by three actors and one or several dancers, accompanied by a septet of instruments. Conceived by Igor Stravinsky and Swiss writer C. F. Ramuz, the piece was base ...

,'' Dumbarton Oaks: ''

Danses concertantes ' is the title of a work for chamber orchestra written in 1941–42 by Igor Stravinsky, commissioned by Werner Janssen. Stravinsky's music has been used for eponymous ballets by numerous choreographers attracted by its danceability. Balanchine ...

.'' Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington. Sony Classical, 2013. * ''Bach & Sons.'' Works by J. S. Bach, C. P. E. Bach, and J. Chr. Bach. Soloist: Sebastian Knauer (piano), Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington. Berlin Classics, 2011. *

Antonio Rosetti Francesco Antonio Rosetti (c. 1750 – 30 June 1792) was a classical era composer and double bass player, and was a contemporary of Haydn and Mozart. There is considerable confusion regarding his name. The occasional mention of a supposed, ...

: ''Oboe Concertos / Symphonies.'' Soloist: Kurt Meier, Conductor: Johannes Moesus.

cpo CPO may refer to: Occupations * Certified Professional Organizer * Certified Protection Officer, a professional certification for security officers from the International Foundation for Protection Officers * Chief people officer, a corporate of ...

/ DRS, 2011. * ''

Shostakovich Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich, , group=n (9 August 1975) was a Soviet-era Russian composer and pianist who became internationally known after the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926 and was regarded throughout his life as a major compo ...

& Lewensohn: Sonata For Viola / ViolAlive.'' Soloist: Gilad Karni, Conductor:

Ariel Zuckermann Ariel Zuckermann ( he, אריאל צוקרמן, born in 1973 in Tel Aviv) is an Israeli conductor, since 2015 director and conductor of the Israel Chamber Orchestra. Career Ariel Zuckermann began his musical career as flautist. A student of ...

. Sony Classical, 2011. * ''Die wilden Schwäne: Ein Märchen frei nach

Hans Christian Andersen Hans Christian Andersen ( , ; 2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales. Andersen's fairy tales, consisti ...

.'' Storyteller:

Sandra Studer Sandra Studer (born 10 February 1969 in Zürich) is a Swiss moderator and singer who represented Switzerland in Eurovision Song Contest 1991, which was held in Rome, Italy. Performing with the stage name Sandra Simó, she came fifth with her song ...

, Conductor: Jochen Rieder. 2011.

References

External links

Zurich Chamber Orchestra official website
{{Authority control Chamber orchestras Swiss orchestras Musical groups established in 1945 1945 establishments in Switzerland Culture of Zürich