Northern Sinfonia is a classical music ensemble based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The ensemble was founded in 1958 by Michael Hall, a local music teacher, and a group of amateur musicians who wanted to create a professional orchestra in the North East of England. The ensemble started as a small group of musicians who performed in local venues, but it quickly grew in size and reputation. In 1961, the ensemble became the resident orchestra of the newly built Newcastle City Hall, which provided a permanent home for the orchestra and allowed it to expand its repertoire and audience. Over the years, Northern Sinfonia has had many members, but some of its most notable musicians include the violinist Bradley Creswick, who has been the orchestra's leader since 1984, and the conductor Thomas Zehetmair, who was the orchestra's music director from 2002 to 2014. Northern Sinfonia has performed all over the world, including in Europe, Asia, and North America. The ensemble has also collaborated with many famous musicians, including the pianist Alfred Brendel, the cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and the conductor Sir Simon Rattle. One of the highlights of Northern Sinfonia's career was its performance at the BBC Proms in 1981. The ensemble performed Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and received critical acclaim. The performance was also released on CD and is still considered one of the ensemble's best recordings. Northern Sinfonia has also won many awards over the years, including the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Best Chamber Ensemble in 2009 and the Gramophone Award for Best Chamber Music Recording in 2011. The ensemble has also been nominated for several other awards, including the BBC Music Magazine Award and the Classical BRIT Award. In addition to its performances, Northern Sinfonia is also committed to music education and outreach. The ensemble runs a number of programs for young musicians, including the Young Sinfonia, which provides training and performance opportunities for talented young musicians in the North East of England. Overall, Northern Sinfonia is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the cultural life of the North East of England and beyond. With its commitment to excellence in performance and education, the ensemble is sure to continue to inspire and delight audiences for many years to come.

More....