The Rambert Orchestra is a classical music ensemble that has been a staple of the British music scene for over 90 years. Founded in 1926 by the renowned choreographer Marie Rambert, the orchestra has played a vital role in the development of contemporary dance and music in the UK. Marie Rambert was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1888 and began her dance training at the age of 16. She moved to London in 1910 and quickly established herself as a leading figure in the dance world. In 1926, she founded the Rambert Dance Company, which would later become the Rambert Ballet and then the Rambert Dance Company once again. As part of her vision for the company, Rambert also founded the Rambert Orchestra. The orchestra was initially made up of a small group of musicians who played for the company's performances. However, it soon grew in size and became a fully-fledged ensemble in its own right. Over the years, the Rambert Orchestra has been led by a number of distinguished conductors, including Sir Malcolm Sargent, Sir Charles Mackerras, and Mark Elder. The orchestra has also worked with many of the world's leading composers, including Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett, and Harrison Birtwistle. One of the highlights of the Rambert Orchestra's early years was its collaboration with the composer Constant Lambert. Lambert was a close friend of Marie Rambert and wrote several works specifically for the Rambert Dance Company and its orchestra. These included the ballets "Horoscope" and "Tiresias," which were both premiered in the 1930s. During World War II, the Rambert Orchestra played an important role in boosting morale and entertaining troops. The orchestra performed extensively for the armed forces, both in the UK and overseas. It also played a key role in the establishment of the BBC's wartime music broadcasts. In the post-war years, the Rambert Orchestra continued to work closely with the Rambert Dance Company, providing live music for its performances. The orchestra also began to perform more widely, both in the UK and abroad. In 1956, it made its first appearance at the Edinburgh Festival, where it was praised for its "precision and vitality." Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Rambert Orchestra continued to collaborate with leading composers and conductors. In 1967, it premiered Michael Tippett's "The Knot Garden" at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The following year, it performed Benjamin Britten's "The Prince of the Pagodas" at the same venue. In the 1980s, the Rambert Orchestra began to work more closely with other dance companies, including the London Contemporary Dance Theatre and the Royal Ballet. It also began to perform more contemporary music, including works by John Adams and Philip Glass. One of the highlights of the Rambert Orchestra's recent history was its collaboration with the choreographer Mark Baldwin. Baldwin was appointed artistic director of the Rambert Dance Company in 2002 and worked closely with the orchestra to create a series of groundbreaking productions. These included "Constant Speed" (2003), "The Comedy of Change" (2006), and "What Wild Ecstasy" (2012). In 2013, the Rambert Orchestra was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Ensemble Award. The award recognized the orchestra's "outstanding contribution to the UK's musical life over many years." The following year, the orchestra celebrated its 90th anniversary with a series of concerts and events.

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