Zurich Chamber Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Zurich Chamber Orchestra (Zürcher Kammerorchester; ZKO, German abbreviation) is a Swiss chamber orchestra
based in Zurich
. The ZKO's principal concert venue in Zurich is the Tonhalle. The ZKO also performs in Zurich at the Rietberg Museum
, the ZKO-Haus in the Seefeld quarter of the city, and such churches as the Fraumünster
and the Kirche St. Peter. The ZKO presents approximately 40 performances in Zurich each year, in addition to performances elsewhere in Switzerland and abroad. The core of the ZKO consists of 22 string players, with other sections (woodwinds, strings, brass, harp, percussion, and keyboard) used as needed.
Edmond de Stoutz founded the ZKO in the aftermath of World War II
, and led its first concerts in 1945. He served as artistic leader and principal conductor of the ZKO until 1996. In 1996, Howard Griffiths
assumed the post of artistic director and served until 2006. Muhai Tang
, the ZKO's third principal conductor and artistic director from 2006 through 2011. now has the title of principal guest conductor with the ZKO. In January 2010, the ZKO announced the appointment of Sir Roger Norrington
as its fourth principal conductor, as of the 2011-2012 season, with an initial contract of 3 years. In various specialities, the ZKO enjoys particular collaborations in baroque music with Maurice Steger
and in modern music with Jörg Widmann
.
In the USA, the ZKO first appeared in New York City in 1964. The ZKO made its Boston debut in 1967 for the Peabody Mason Concert series.
The ZKO has made commercial recordings for such labels as Omega, Novalis, Claves, Teldec and CPO.
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
based in Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
. The ZKO's principal concert venue in Zurich is the Tonhalle. The ZKO also performs in Zurich at the Rietberg Museum
Rietberg Museum
The Rietberg Museum is a museum in Zürich, Switzerland, displaying Asian, African, American and Oceanian art. It is the only art museum of non-European cultures in Switzerland, the third-largest museum in Zürich, and the largest to be run by the city itself...
, the ZKO-Haus in the Seefeld quarter of the city, and such churches as the Fraumünster
Fraumünster
The Fraumünster abbey in Zurich was founded in 853 by Louis the German for his daughter Hildegard. He endowed the Benedictine convent with the lands of Zurich, Uri, and the Albis forest, and granted the convent immunity, placing it under his direct authority.- History :In 1045, King Henry III...
and the Kirche St. Peter. The ZKO presents approximately 40 performances in Zurich each year, in addition to performances elsewhere in Switzerland and abroad. The core of the ZKO consists of 22 string players, with other sections (woodwinds, strings, brass, harp, percussion, and keyboard) used as needed.
Edmond de Stoutz founded the ZKO in the aftermath of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and led its first concerts in 1945. He served as artistic leader and principal conductor of the ZKO until 1996. In 1996, Howard Griffiths
Howard Griffiths (conductor)
Howard Griffiths is a British conductor. He studied music at the Royal College of Music, London.He has lived in Switzerland since 1981. From 1996 to 2006, he was chief conductor and artistic director of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra . Griffiths is a champion of music by contemporary Turkish and...
assumed the post of artistic director and served until 2006. Muhai Tang
Muhai Tang
Muhai Tang is a Chinese conductor. He is the youngest son of celebrated Chinese film director Tang Xiaodan and brother of painter and poet Tang Muli....
, the ZKO's third principal conductor and artistic director from 2006 through 2011. now has the title of principal guest conductor with the ZKO. In January 2010, the ZKO announced the appointment of Sir Roger Norrington
Roger Norrington
Sir Roger Arthur Carver Norrington, CBE is a British conductor. He is the son of Sir Arthur Norrington and his brother is Humphrey Thomas Norrington....
as its fourth principal conductor, as of the 2011-2012 season, with an initial contract of 3 years. In various specialities, the ZKO enjoys particular collaborations in baroque music with Maurice Steger
Maurice Steger
Maurice Steger, born 1971 in Switzerland, is a musical director and as a recorder player one of the most influential and popular soloists of his generation....
and in modern music with Jörg Widmann
Jörg Widmann
Jörg Widmann is a German composer and clarinetist. He lives and works in Munich and Freiburg.- Education and career :...
.
In the USA, the ZKO first appeared in New York City in 1964. The ZKO made its Boston debut in 1967 for the Peabody Mason Concert series.
The ZKO has made commercial recordings for such labels as Omega, Novalis, Claves, Teldec and CPO.
Artistic directors and principal conductors
- Edmond de Stoutz (1945-1996)
- Howard Griffiths (1996-2006)
- Muhai Tang (2006-2011)
- Sir Roger Norrington (2011-present)