Role

:

Ensemble

 

The Leningrad Chamber Orchestra is a renowned classical music ensemble that was founded in 1967 in Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg, Russia. The ensemble has gained international recognition for its exceptional performances and has become one of the most respected chamber orchestras in the world. The Leningrad Chamber Orchestra was founded by conductor and violinist Lazar Gosman, who served as the ensemble's artistic director until his death in 2005. Gosman was a highly respected musician who had previously served as the concertmaster of the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. He was also a professor at the Leningrad Conservatory, where he taught many of the musicians who would later join the Leningrad Chamber Orchestra. The ensemble's founding members were all students of Gosman at the Leningrad Conservatory. They included some of the most talented young musicians in the city, including violinists Sergei Stadler and Lev Klychkov, violist Alexander Korchagin, cellist Valentin Feigin, and bassist Alexander Korchagin. These musicians formed the core of the ensemble and would go on to become some of its most important members. The Leningrad Chamber Orchestra quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional performances and innovative programming. The ensemble's repertoire included works by both classical and contemporary composers, and it was known for its adventurous and daring interpretations of these pieces. The ensemble also collaborated with many of the leading soloists of the day, including violinist Gidon Kremer and pianist Martha Argerich. One of the highlights of the Leningrad Chamber Orchestra's early career was its performance at the 1971 Edinburgh Festival. The ensemble's performance was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, and it helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. The ensemble also performed at many other prestigious venues and festivals throughout Europe and the United States, including the Salzburg Festival, the Berlin Philharmonic, and Carnegie Hall. Over the years, the Leningrad Chamber Orchestra has undergone many changes in its membership, but it has always maintained its commitment to excellence and innovation. Some of the most important members of the ensemble in recent years have included violinist and conductor Dmitry Sitkovetsky, who served as the ensemble's artistic director from 2005 to 2011, and violinist and conductor Roman Balashov, who has been the ensemble's artistic director since 2011. The Leningrad Chamber Orchestra has also won many awards and accolades over the years. In 1978, the ensemble was awarded the State Prize of the USSR, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a cultural institution in Russia. The ensemble has also won numerous international awards, including the Grand Prix at the International Chamber Music Competition in Bordeaux, France, and the First Prize at the International Chamber Music Competition in Trapani, Italy. Today, the Leningrad Chamber Orchestra continues to be one of the most respected and innovative chamber orchestras in the world. The ensemble's commitment to excellence and innovation has made it a favorite of audiences and critics alike, and its performances continue to inspire and delight music lovers around the globe.

More....