Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

The MDR Leipzig Radio Chamber Philharmonic is a classical music ensemble based in Leipzig, Germany. The ensemble was founded in 1991 as the Kammerorchester Leipzig, and it was later renamed the MDR Leipzig Radio Chamber Philharmonic in 2002. The ensemble was founded by musicians who had previously played in the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, one of the oldest and most prestigious orchestras in the world. The founding members of the Kammerorchester Leipzig were determined to create a new ensemble that would be more flexible and versatile than a traditional symphony orchestra. They wanted to explore a wider range of repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary music, and to perform in a variety of venues, from concert halls to churches and even outdoors. The Kammerorchester Leipzig quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality performances and innovative programming. The ensemble's first conductor was Michael Köhler, who led the group from 1991 to 1998. Under Köhler's leadership, the Kammerorchester Leipzig performed at major festivals throughout Europe, including the Salzburg Festival, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, and the Prague Spring Festival. In 1998, the Kammerorchester Leipzig appointed its second conductor, Howard Griffiths. Griffiths, a British conductor, had previously worked with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra. Under Griffiths' leadership, the ensemble continued to expand its repertoire and perform in a variety of venues. The ensemble also began to collaborate with soloists and other ensembles, including the Leipzig String Quartet and the Hilliard Ensemble. In 2002, the Kammerorchester Leipzig was renamed the MDR Leipzig Radio Chamber Philharmonic, reflecting its close association with the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR), a public broadcasting organization based in Leipzig. The ensemble continued to perform under Griffiths' leadership until 2013, when he was succeeded by Michael Sanderling. Under Sanderling's leadership, the MDR Leipzig Radio Chamber Philharmonic has continued to build on its reputation for high-quality performances and innovative programming. The ensemble has performed at major festivals throughout Europe, including the Rheingau Musik Festival, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, and the Beethovenfest Bonn. The ensemble has also collaborated with a wide range of soloists and ensembles, including pianist Martin Stadtfeld, violinist Arabella Steinbacher, and the Leipzig String Quartet. One of the highlights of the MDR Leipzig Radio Chamber Philharmonic's career was its performance at the 2010 BBC Proms in London. The ensemble performed a program of music by Bach, Mozart, and Mendelssohn, and the performance was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. The ensemble received critical acclaim for its performance, with The Guardian describing it as "a performance of great beauty and refinement." The MDR Leipzig Radio Chamber Philharmonic has also received numerous awards and accolades throughout its career. In 2003, the ensemble was awarded the Echo Klassik award for its recording of Mozart's Piano Concertos Nos. 20 and 21 with pianist Martin Stadtfeld. The ensemble has also been nominated for several other Echo Klassik awards, including for its recordings of music by Mendelssohn and Schumann. In addition to its performances and recordings, the MDR Leipzig Radio Chamber Philharmonic is also committed to music education and outreach.

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