Biography:
The NDR Symphony Orchestra, future orchestra in residence at the Elbphilharmonie, was founded in 1945. For more than a quarter of a century, Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, the first chief conductor, shaped the artistic profile of the orchestra. The ensemble quickly became known beyond the borders of Hamburg.
Already in 1949 it undertook a tour of Germany; the following year followed a politically important first trip abroad to Paris. Other important concert tours brought the NDR Symphony Orchestra great international recognition as one of the first German radio orchestras. During the Schmidt-Isserstedt era, conductors such as Wilhelm Furtwängler, Hans Knappertsbusch, Erich Kleiber, Otto Klemperer, Ferenc Fricsay and Karl Böhm conducted the NDR Symphony Orchestra as guests.
In addition to maintaining the classical-romantic repertoire, an important focus of the work has always been the presentation of contemporary works. Conductors such as Bruno Maderna, Hans Rosbaud, Pierre Boulez, Michael Gielen and Krzysztof Penderecki, who have been associated with the orchestra as permanent guest conductors for many years since 1988, conducted important world premieres in Hamburg.
After the chief conductors of the 1970s, Moshe Atzmon and Klaus Tennstedt, the 20-year intensive collaboration of the orchestra with Günter Wand reached a similar importance as the Schmidt-Isserstedt era. Wand, chief conductor since 1982 and honorary conductor for life in 1987, shaped the artistic work of the NDR Sinfonieorchester until his death in 2002, which culminated in joint Bruckner interpretations that received worldwide attention. Numerous CD and television productions impressively document the extraordinary artistic quality of this collaboration.
The series of chief conductors was continued in the 1990s, initially with John Eliot Gardiner and Herbert Blomstedt. In 1998, Christoph Eschenbach was appointed to this position. During his five-year tenure, he performed with the orchestra in large work cycles, e.g. the symphonies of Mahler and Shostakovich. In addition, he devoted himself intensively to contemporary music, which he brought closer to his audience in innovatively designed concert programs.
With the beginning of the 2004/05 season, Christoph von Dohnányi continued the tradition of important conducting personalities in the chief position of the NDR Symphony Orchestra. He is joined by Alan Gilbert as Principal Guest Conductor. From the 2011/2012 season, Thomas Hengelbrock will be chief conductor.
Guest tours regularly take the orchestra to the most important European festivals and to the most important concert stages. The NDR Symphony Orchestra also earned a great reputation on its tours to Japan, China, South America and the USA.
Albums:
