Norwegian Radio Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Norwegian Radio Orchestra is a Norwegian orchestra affiliated with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (Norsk rikskringkasting AS, or NRK). Its principal base is the Store Studio at the NRK headquarters in Oslo
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The KORK was founded in 1946 as a 24-member orchestra, from ensembles previously led by Øivind Bergh and Gunnar Knudsen. Øivind Bergh served as the KORK's first principal conductor from 1946 to 1976. The KORK initially secured its reputation in performances of entertainment
music and light classics. Sverre Bruland, the KORK's second principal conductor from 1976 to 1988, established the orchestra’s commitment to presenting contemporary Norwegian music.
As of 2011, the KORK consists of 53 musicians. The current principal conductor of the KORK is Thomas Søndergård
, as of the 2009-2010 season, with responsibility for a minimum of 6 concerts per year. Søndergård is scheduled to conclude his tenure with the KORK after the 2011-2012 season. The KORK's current principal guest conductor is Andrew Manze
, since 2008. The KORK's current administrator is Rolf Lennart Stensø.
The KORK has recorded commercially for such labels as Pro Musica, Bridge Records, and Finlandia. In addition to concerts and commercial recordings, the orchestra performs every year at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert
. The KORK has also worked in areas of popular music, such as providing backing to the Eurovision Song Contest
in Norway in 1986 and 1996, as well as various activities in rock and jazz.
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
.
The KORK was founded in 1946 as a 24-member orchestra, from ensembles previously led by Øivind Bergh and Gunnar Knudsen. Øivind Bergh served as the KORK's first principal conductor from 1946 to 1976. The KORK initially secured its reputation in performances of entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
music and light classics. Sverre Bruland, the KORK's second principal conductor from 1976 to 1988, established the orchestra’s commitment to presenting contemporary Norwegian music.
As of 2011, the KORK consists of 53 musicians. The current principal conductor of the KORK is Thomas Søndergård
Thomas Søndergård
Thomas Søndergård is a Danish orchestra conductor and percussion player. He studied percussion and timpani at the Royal Danish Academy of Music from 1989 to 1992, where his teachers included Gert Mortensen. From 1989 to 1992, Søndergård was a timpanist in the European Union Youth Orchestra. He...
, as of the 2009-2010 season, with responsibility for a minimum of 6 concerts per year. Søndergård is scheduled to conclude his tenure with the KORK after the 2011-2012 season. The KORK's current principal guest conductor is Andrew Manze
Andrew Manze
Andrew Manze is an English violinist and conductor.As a guest conductor Manze has regular relationships with a number of leading international orchestras including the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Munich Philharmonic, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra,...
, since 2008. The KORK's current administrator is Rolf Lennart Stensø.
The KORK has recorded commercially for such labels as Pro Musica, Bridge Records, and Finlandia. In addition to concerts and commercial recordings, the orchestra performs every year at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert
Nobel Peace Prize Concert
The Nobel Peace Prize Concert has been held annually since 1994 on 11 December, one day after the date of Alfred Nobel's death, to honour the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The award ceremony on 10 December takes place in the Oslo City Hall, while the concert is in the Oslo Spektrum Arena, with the...
. The KORK has also worked in areas of popular music, such as providing backing to the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
in Norway in 1986 and 1996, as well as various activities in rock and jazz.
Principal conductors
- Øivind Bergh (1946-1976)
- Sverre Bruland (1976-1988)
- Avi Ostrowsky (1989-1992)
- Ari Rasilainen (1994-2002)
- Rolf Gupta (2003-2006)
- Thomas Søndergård (2009-present)