Vienna Symphony
| Vienna Symphony (VSO) | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
 |
|
| Former name | Wiener Concertverein, Tonkünstler Orchestra |
| Founded | 1900 |
| Principal conductor | Philippe Jordan |
| Website | www |
The Vienna Symphony (German: Wiener Symphoniker) is an Austrian orchestra based in Vienna. Its primary concert venue is the Vienna Konzerthaus. In Vienna, the orchestra also performs at the Musikverein and at the Theater an der Wien.
History[edit]
In 1900, Ferdinand Löwe founded the orchestra as the Wiener Concertverein (Vienna Concert Society). In 1913 it moved into the Konzerthaus, Vienna. In 1919 it merged with the Tonkünstler Orchestra. In 1933 it acquired its current name. Despite a lull in concert attendance after the introduction of radio during the 1920s, the orchestra survived until the invasion of Austria in 1938 and became incorporated into the German Culture Orchestras. As such, they were used for purposes of propaganda until, depleted by assignments to work in munitions factories, the orchestra closed down on September 1, 1944.
Their first post-war concert occurred on September 16, 1945, performing Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 3. Under the direction of Josef Krips, they quickly rebuilt a modern repertoire after ten years of isolation, and travelled to the Bregenz Festival for the first time in the summer of 1946.
That year marked the beginning of the tenure of Herbert von Karajan who, though not principal conductor, worked with the orchestra in the "Karajan Series" concerts, going on extensive tours throughout Europe and North America. In 1959. the orchestra performed for Pope John XXIII at Vatican City, leading up to the debut of Wolfgang Sawallisch.
Sawallisch's leadership saw a tour of the United States in 1964 as well as a combined U.S.-Japan tour in 1967. It also included the re-opening of the Theater an der Wien in 1962. Krips returned as artistic advisor in the interim between Sawallisch's departure and the arrival of Carlo Maria Giulini as principal conductor. In 1986, Georges Prêtre became principal guest conductor, and served until the arrival of Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos as principal conductor in 1991. Vladimir Fedoseyev became chief conductor in 1997 and served in the post until 2005. Prêtre and Sawallisch each held the title of Ehrendirigent (honorary conductor) of the orchestra until their respective deaths. Fabio Luisi was principal conductor from 2005 to 2013.[1][2]
In October 2011, Philippe Jordan was named the VSO's next chief conductor, effective with the 2014-2015 season,[3] with an initial contract of 5 years[4] In December 2016, the orchestra announced the extension of Jordan's contract as chief conductor through the 2020-2021 season.[5]
Chief conductors[edit]
- Ferdinand Löwe (1900-1925)
- Oswald Kabasta (1934-1938)
- Hans Weisbach (1939–1944)
- Hans Swarowsky (1945-1947)
- Wolfgang Sawallisch (1960-1970)
- Carlo Maria Giulini (1973-1976)
- Gennady Rozhdestvensky (1980-1982)
- Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (1991-1996)
- Vladimir Fedoseyev (1997-2005)
- Fabio Luisi (2005-2013)
- Philippe Jordan (2014-present)
Other affiliated conductors[edit]
- Wilhelm Furtwängler (1927-1930; as director of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde)
- Herbert von Karajan (1948-1964; as director of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde)
- Josef Krips (1970-1973; artistic advisor)
- Georges Prêtre (1986-1991; principal guest conductor)
References[edit]
- ^ Ernst Naredi-Reiner (2011-01-18). "Umzug nach New York". Kleine Zeitung. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ Daniel J. Wakin (2011-04-21). "On Deck, the Met's Pinch-Hitter". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Philippe Jordan neuer Chefdirigent ab 2014-15" (Press release). Wiener Symphoniker. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
- ^ Frank Cadenhead (2011-10-06). "A High-Profile Podium for a Rising Star: Philippe Jordan to Head Vienna Symphony Orchestra". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
- ^ "hefdirigent verlängert Vertrag" (Press release). Wiener Symphoniker. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
