The Verbier Festival Orchestra is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2000 by Martin T:son Engstroem, a Swedish music producer and entrepreneur. The orchestra is made up of young musicians from around the world who are selected through a rigorous audition process. The ensemble is known for its high level of musicianship and its commitment to promoting classical music to a wider audience. The Verbier Festival Orchestra has a rotating roster of musicians, with new members joining each year and others leaving to pursue other opportunities. However, there are several core members who have been with the orchestra since its inception, including concertmaster Alexander Sitkovetsky, principal cellist Edgar Moreau, and principal bassoonist Tamara Stefanovich. One of the highlights of the Verbier Festival Orchestra's early years was its performance at the 2001 Verbier Festival, where it played under the baton of conductor James Levine. The concert was a critical and commercial success, and helped to establish the orchestra as a major force in the classical music world. Since then, the Verbier Festival Orchestra has gone on to perform at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and music festivals, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Salzburg Festival in Austria. The ensemble has also collaborated with some of the world's leading conductors and soloists, including Valery Gergiev, Martha Argerich, and Joshua Bell. In addition to its live performances, the Verbier Festival Orchestra has also released several recordings, including a critically acclaimed album of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 and a live recording of a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The Verbier Festival Orchestra has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including the Prix de la Critique musicale in 2003 and the Echo Klassik award in 2010. The ensemble has also been praised for its commitment to education and outreach, with members regularly participating in workshops and masterclasses for young musicians. Overall, the Verbier Festival Orchestra is a dynamic and innovative ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the classical music world. With its talented musicians, world-class performances, and commitment to promoting classical music to a wider audience, the orchestra is sure to continue to be a major force in the years to come.

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