Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

The Osterreichischen Rundfunks Chor und Orchester, also known as the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir, is a classical music ensemble based in Vienna, Austria. The ensemble was founded in 1969 as a merger of the ORF Symphony Orchestra and the ORF Choir, both of which had been established in the 1920s. The ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra is led by its principal conductor, Cornelius Meister, who has been with the ensemble since 2010. Meister is a renowned conductor who has worked with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. The ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Choir is led by its chorus master, Ernst Raffelsberger, who has been with the ensemble since 1991. Raffelsberger is a respected choral conductor who has worked with many of the world's leading choirs, including the Vienna Boys' Choir and the Arnold Schoenberg Choir. Over the years, the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir have performed a wide range of classical music repertoire, including works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, and Strauss. The ensemble has also premiered many new works by contemporary composers, including Wolfgang Rihm, Friedrich Cerha, and Georg Friedrich Haas. One of the highlights of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir's history was their performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8, also known as the "Symphony of a Thousand," in 2011. The performance, which featured over 1,000 musicians and singers, was held in Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral and was broadcast live on television and radio throughout Europe. The ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir have also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2014, the ensemble was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for their recording of Bruckner's Symphony No. 9. The ensemble has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Choral Performance and Best Orchestral Performance. In addition to their performances and recordings, the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir are also committed to music education and outreach. The ensemble regularly holds workshops and masterclasses for young musicians and singers, and they also perform concerts for schools and community groups throughout Austria. Overall, the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir are one of the most respected and acclaimed classical music ensembles in the world. With their commitment to excellence in performance, education, and outreach, they continue to inspire and delight audiences around the globe.

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