Role

:

Ensemble

 

The CBC Chamber Orchestra is a Canadian classical music ensemble that was founded in 1949. The ensemble has a rich history of performing and recording classical music, and has been recognized for its excellence with numerous awards and accolades. The CBC Chamber Orchestra was founded by Canadian conductor and composer Boyd Neel. Neel had previously founded the Boyd Neel Orchestra in London, England, which had gained a reputation for its performances of baroque and classical music. When Neel returned to Canada in 1947, he was approached by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to form a new chamber orchestra. The CBC Chamber Orchestra was officially formed in 1949, with Neel as its first conductor. The ensemble's early years were marked by a focus on baroque and classical music, with an emphasis on historically informed performance practices. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its high level of musicianship and its commitment to authenticity in its performances. The CBC Chamber Orchestra also became known for its collaborations with prominent soloists and conductors, including Glenn Gould, Yehudi Menuhin, and Sir Neville Marriner. Over the years, the CBC Chamber Orchestra has undergone several changes in leadership and membership. Boyd Neel conducted the ensemble until 1953, when he was succeeded by Victor Feldbrill. Feldbrill led the ensemble until 1968, and was followed by a series of guest conductors. In 1984, Mario Bernardi was appointed as the ensemble's principal conductor, a position he held until 1996. Bernardi was succeeded by Raffi Armenian, who led the ensemble until its dissolution in 2001. Throughout its history, the CBC Chamber Orchestra has been known for its commitment to Canadian music. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered numerous works by Canadian composers, including Harry Somers, R. Murray Schafer, and John Weinzweig. The ensemble has also recorded several albums of Canadian music, including a series of recordings of works by Schafer. One of the CBC Chamber Orchestra's most notable performances was its 1957 tour of the Soviet Union. The tour was the first by a Canadian orchestra to the Soviet Union, and was seen as a significant cultural exchange between the two countries. The ensemble performed in several cities throughout the Soviet Union, and was received with great enthusiasm by audiences and critics alike. The CBC Chamber Orchestra has also been recognized for its excellence with numerous awards and accolades. In 1971, the ensemble was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for its recording of Handel's Water Music. The ensemble also won a Juno Award in 1985 for its recording of Schafer's String Quartet No. 2. In addition, several members of the ensemble have been recognized for their individual achievements, including violinist Steven Staryk, who was awarded the Order of Canada in 1980. Despite its many achievements, the CBC Chamber Orchestra was disbanded in 2001 as part of a series of budget cuts at the CBC. The ensemble's final concert was held on April 1, 2001, and featured a program of works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. The CBC Chamber Orchestra's legacy, however, lives on through its many recordings and the memories of those who were fortunate enough to hear the ensemble perform live.

More....