Altomonte Orchester St. Florian is a classical music ensemble based in St. Florian, Austria. The orchestra was founded in 1991 by conductor Remy Ballot, who remains its artistic director to this day. The ensemble is named after the Italian composer Johann Joseph Ignaz von Deym, who was also known as Altomonte. The orchestra is made up of around 50 musicians, many of whom are from the region of Upper Austria. The ensemble has a strong focus on performing music from the Baroque and Classical periods, but also performs works from the Romantic and contemporary eras. One of the highlights of the orchestra's early years was its participation in the 1995 Bruckner Festival in Linz, Austria. The festival was dedicated to the music of Anton Bruckner, a composer who was born in St. Florian and spent much of his life in the town. Altomonte Orchester St. Florian performed several of Bruckner's symphonies during the festival, including his Symphony No. 7. In 1997, the orchestra made its international debut with a performance at the Festival de Musique de Strasbourg in France. The ensemble received critical acclaim for its performance of Mozart's Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter." Over the years, Altomonte Orchester St. Florian has collaborated with many renowned soloists, including pianist Maria João Pires, violinist Renaud Capuçon, and cellist Gautier Capuçon. The orchestra has also worked with several prominent conductors, including Sir Neville Marriner, Ivor Bolton, and Philippe Herreweghe. In 2006, the orchestra received the Upper Austrian Culture Prize, which is awarded to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the cultural life of the region. The prize recognized the ensemble's commitment to performing and promoting the music of Upper Austria, as well as its international reputation. One of the orchestra's most notable performances took place in 2011, when it performed Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at the Musikverein in Vienna. The concert was part of a series of performances celebrating the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth. Altomonte Orchester St. Florian was joined by the Wiener Singverein and a quartet of soloists for the performance, which was conducted by Remy Ballot. In addition to its concert performances, Altomonte Orchester St. Florian has also recorded several albums. The ensemble's recordings include works by Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven, as well as lesser-known composers such as Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Franz Xaver Richter. Altomonte Orchester St. Florian has become known for its high level of musicianship and its commitment to performing music from the region of Upper Austria. The ensemble has received numerous accolades for its performances and recordings, and continues to be a leading force in the classical music world.

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