Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

The Thüringisches Kammerorchester Weimar (TKOW) is a classical music ensemble based in Weimar, Germany. Founded in 1986, the orchestra has become one of the most renowned chamber orchestras in Germany and Europe. The TKOW was founded by the conductor and violinist Georg Christoph Biller, who served as the orchestra's artistic director until 1991. The ensemble was initially made up of young musicians from the Weimar Music Academy, but it quickly expanded to include professional musicians from all over Germany. The orchestra's main members include the concertmaster and violinist Susanne Scholz, the principal cellist Michael Sanderling, and the principal oboist Christian Wetzel. Over the years, the TKOW has collaborated with many renowned soloists and conductors, including violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, pianist Martha Argerich, and conductor Kurt Masur. One of the highlights of the TKOW's early years was its participation in the 1988 Bach Festival in Leipzig, where the orchestra performed Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. The performance was a great success and helped to establish the TKOW as a leading chamber orchestra in Germany. In the years that followed, the TKOW continued to perform at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe, including the Salzburg Festival, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. The orchestra also made several recordings, including a highly acclaimed recording of Mozart's Piano Concertos with pianist Christian Zacharias. In 1991, the conductor and harpsichordist Michael Schneider took over as the TKOW's artistic director. Under his leadership, the orchestra continued to expand its repertoire and collaborate with leading soloists and conductors. One of the TKOW's most notable performances during this period was its 1999 performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, where Bach himself had served as the church's music director. The performance was a tribute to Bach's legacy and was widely praised for its emotional depth and musical excellence. In recent years, the TKOW has continued to perform at major festivals and concert halls throughout Europe, including the Rheingau Musik Festival and the Musikverein in Vienna. The orchestra has also continued to record, releasing several critically acclaimed recordings of works by Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. In recognition of its musical excellence, the TKOW has received numerous awards and honors over the years. In 1998, the orchestra was awarded the German Record Critics' Award for its recording of Mozart's Piano Concertos. In 2006, the TKOW was awarded the Thuringian Culture Prize for its contributions to the cultural life of the region. Today, the Thüringisches Kammerorchester Weimar remains one of the most respected and admired chamber orchestras in Europe. With its commitment to musical excellence and its dedication to preserving the legacy of classical music, the TKOW continues to inspire audiences around the world.

More....