Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

Austria

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

The ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus is a world-renowned classical music ensemble based in Vienna, Austria. The orchestra was founded in 1969 as the orchestra of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) and has since become one of the most respected and acclaimed orchestras in the world. The founding of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus was a result of the merger of two existing orchestras, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. The new ensemble was created to provide a high-quality orchestra for the ORF's radio and television broadcasts, as well as to perform live concerts throughout Austria and internationally. The orchestra's first chief conductor was Milan Horvat, who led the ensemble from 1969 to 1979. Under Horvat's leadership, the orchestra quickly gained a reputation for its high standards of musicianship and its commitment to performing a wide range of classical music repertoire. Over the years, the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus has been led by a number of distinguished conductors, including Leif Segerstam, Pinchas Steinberg, Bertrand de Billy, and Cornelius Meister. Each conductor has brought their own unique vision and style to the orchestra, helping to shape its sound and reputation. One of the highlights of the orchestra's history was its performance at the 1987 Salzburg Festival, where it performed Beethoven's Ninth Symphony under the baton of Leonard Bernstein. The performance was widely acclaimed and helped to cement the orchestra's reputation as one of the world's leading ensembles. In addition to its live performances, the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus has also recorded extensively, with over 300 recordings to its name. The orchestra has collaborated with many of the world's leading soloists and conductors, including Claudio Abbado, Martha Argerich, and Zubin Mehta. The orchestra has also been recognized with numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2009, it was awarded the Grand Decoration of Honor in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria, in recognition of its contributions to the country's cultural life. In 2012, the orchestra was awarded the ECHO Klassik award for its recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 8, conducted by Cornelius Meister. Today, the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus continues to be one of the world's leading classical music ensembles, with a reputation for excellence and innovation. Its members are drawn from some of the finest musicians in Austria and beyond, and its performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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