Odeon Kuenstler Orchester is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1926 in Berlin, Germany. The ensemble was established by Max Butting, a German composer and conductor, who wanted to create a group of musicians that would perform contemporary classical music. The ensemble's name, Odeon Kuenstler Orchester, translates to "Odeon Artists Orchestra" in English. The name was chosen to reflect the ensemble's commitment to promoting new and innovative works by contemporary composers. Over the years, the ensemble has had many members, but some of its most notable members include Max Butting, who served as the ensemble's conductor from its founding until 1933, and later from 1945 until his death in 1976. Other notable members include the violinist and conductor, Wolfgang Marschner, who served as the ensemble's concertmaster from 1950 until 1976, and the cellist, Siegfried Palm, who was a member of the ensemble from 1952 until 1976. Throughout its history, Odeon Kuenstler Orchester has performed many notable works by contemporary composers, including Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and Alban Berg. The ensemble has also premiered many new works by up-and-coming composers, including Hans Werner Henze, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Gyorgy Ligeti. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was its premiere of Arnold Schoenberg's "Pierrot Lunaire" in 1926. The performance was a critical success and helped to establish Odeon Kuenstler Orchester as one of the leading ensembles for contemporary classical music. In addition to its performances, Odeon Kuenstler Orchester has also received many awards and accolades over the years. In 1955, the ensemble was awarded the Berlin Art Prize for its contributions to contemporary classical music. The ensemble has also been featured in many recordings, including a recording of Anton Webern's "Symphony, Op. 21" that was released in 1960. Despite its many successes, Odeon Kuenstler Orchester has also faced many challenges over the years. During World War II, the ensemble was disbanded, and many of its members were forced to flee Germany. After the war, the ensemble was re-established, but it faced financial difficulties and struggled to attract audiences. Despite these challenges, Odeon Kuenstler Orchester has continued to perform and promote contemporary classical music. Today, the ensemble is still active and continues to perform works by contemporary composers. Its commitment to promoting new and innovative works has helped to establish it as one of the leading ensembles for contemporary classical music.

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