The Frankfurt Radio Symphony (German: hr-Sinfonieorchester) is the radio orchestra of Hessischer Rundfunk, the public broadcasting network of the German state of Hesse. Venues are Alte Oper and hr-Sendesaal. Music director is the French conductor Alain Altinoglu. Chief conductors have brought in Russian, Nordic and French influences. The orchestra has been one of the leading Mahler and Bruckner orchestras internationally.[1] The hr-Sinfonieorchester with 108 musicians is the third oldest in the ARD.[2]

hr-Sinfonieorchester
Radio orchestra
Former name
  • Frankfurter Rundfunk-Symphonie-Orchester
  • Sinfonie-Orchester des Hessischen Rundfunks
  • Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt
Founded1929; 95 years ago (1929)
LocationFrankfurt am Main
Concert hallAlte Oper and hr-Sendesaal
Music directorAlain Altinoglu
Websitewww.hr-sinfonieorchester.de

History

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Names

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From 1929 to 1950 the orchestra was named Frankfurter Rundfunk-Symphonie-Orchester.[3] From 1950 to 1971 the orchestra was named Sinfonie-Orchester des Hessischen Rundfunks, from then to 2005 Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt.[4] Frankfurt Radio Symphony is used for international tours (First tour: United States 1980, Japan 1987, China 2003).[5]

Founding and early years

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Richard Wagner: "Titurel, der fromme Held" from Parsifal, excerpt from a 1942 recording under the direction of Otto Frickhoeffer (Hellmut Schwebs as Gurnemanz)

The orchestra was founded in 1929.[6][7] Hans Rosbaud,[8] its first conductor, put his stamp on the orchestra's orientation up to the year 1937 by focusing not only on traditional music but also contemporary compositions. Alban Berg, Arnold Schönberg, Bela Bartok, Igor Stravinsky, Anton Webern and Paul Hindemith participated in the Radio Frankfurt concerts.[9] Schönberg wrote radio lectures for Radio Frankfurt.[10]

In 1937, Otto Frickhoeffer was sent by the NSDAP.[2] He performed only German music.[2]

Georges Bizet: L'Arlesienne, suite No. 1, first movement, excerpt from a 1948 recording under the direction of Kurt Schröder
Johannes Brahms: Tragic Overture, excerpt from a 1968 recording under the direction of Dean Dixon

After World War II, Kurt Schröder and Winfried Zillig committed themselves to rebuilding the orchestra and a broad musical repertoire.[11] The venue hr-Sendesaal was ready for use in 1954.[12] In the opening ceremony, Karl Böhm conducted Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.[13]

Dean Dixon and Eliahu Inbal

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Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1 (Mahler), second movement excerpt from a 1995 recording under the direction of Eliahu Inbal

Dean Dixon[14][15] and Eliahu Inbal turned the ensemble into an internationally acclaimed orchestra in the three decades from 1961 to 1990. Dixon's repertoire included Hans Werner Henze, Karl Amadeus Hartmann, Carl Nielsen, Franz Berwald and Charles Ives.[16] The status of the orchestra has been repeatedly confirmed, especially during the "Inbal Era", with guest appearances around the world and major editions of recorded music, such as the very first recordings of the original versions of Anton Bruckner symphonies[17] and the first digital recording of all of Gustav Mahler's symphonies (Deutscher Schallplattenpreis, Grand Prix du Disque).[18][19] Inbal, who was chief conductor from 1974 to 1990, has been elected its conductor laureate since 1996.[20] The venue Alte Oper was opened in 1981.[2]

Dmitri Kitajenko and Hugh Wolff

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Richard Strauss: Don Juan, excerpt from a 1992 recording under the direction of Dmitri Kitajenko

From 1990 to 1996, Dmitri Kitajenko was chief conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. His work focused on the German and Russian traditions, as well as modern styles.[21] His recordings include orchestral works by Scriabin[22] and the piano concertos by Prokofiev.[23]

Hector Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, second movement excerpt from a 2000 recording under the direction of Hugh Wolff

The American conductor Hugh Wolff was chief conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1997 to 2006.[24] He experimented with historical performance practice.[25]

Paavo Järvi

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Performance under the direction of Paavo Järvi with Alina Pogostkina in the San Sebastián Kursaal 2013
Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 3, third movement, excerpt from a 2006 recording under the direction of Paavo Järvi

The Estonian Paavo Järvi held the position of music director for the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra from 2006 to 2013 and assumed the position of conductor laureate at the beginning of the 2013–2014 season.[26][27] Järvi enriched the orchestra with new musical aspects through his commitment to Nordic repertoire.[16][26] For example the music of Jean Sibelius, Eduard Tubin, Arvo Pärt and Erkki-Sven Tüür.[16][28][29] He made a complete recording of Bruckner's and Nielsen's symphonies.[13][16] In 2012, an own YouTube channel was established.[13]

Andrés Orozco-Estrada

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Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9, first movement, excerpt from a 2016 recording under the direction of Andrés Orozco-Estrada

Colombian conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada became the orchestra's music director in 2014.[30] Orozco-Estrada made a number of recordings for the Pentatone label. A key focus of Orozco-Estrada's tenure was on Viennese Classicism and Romanticism.[31]

Alain Altinoglu

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Frankfurt Radio Symphony at hr-Sendesaal 2023

In December 2019, the orchestra announced the appointment of Alain Altinoglu as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2021–2022 season, with an initial contract of three years.[32] In May 2023, the Hessischer Rundfunk announced an extension of Altinoglu's contract as the orchestra's chief conductor through the 2027–2028 season.[33][34] Altinoglu's first years were accentuated by his commitment for French repertoire.[35][36][37] Program focus of the 2023–2024 season was Nature & Earth.[38][39] As of 2024, a Shostakovich cycle is ongoing.[40]

Engagements

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Europa Open Air

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In August, the traditional season opening of the hr-Sinfonieorchester together with the European Central Bank is the Europa Open Air concert at the riverbank of the Main.[41] The 2023 concert with 16,500 visitors was the fifth Europa Open Air.[42] ARD was the broadcaster of the concert.[43]

Rheingau Musik Festival

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The Rheingau Musik Festival is traditionally opened in Eberbach Abbey by a concert of the hr-Sinfonieorchester, radio broadcast live.[44][45]

Repertoire

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The orchestra's range of musical styles includes the classical-romantic repertoire and premieres of contemporary classical music ("Große Reihe", formerly hr-Sinfoniekonzerte), Baroque ("Barock+") and contemporary, experimental music ("Forum N").[46]

Venues

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Principal conductors

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Paavo Järvi with hr-Sinfonieorchester 2013

Conductors laureate

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Notable guest conductors

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Source:[13]

Artists in Residence

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Source:[49]

Notable premieres

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In 1928, before the official foundation of the orchestra, Hindemith's Kammermusik Nr. 7 Op. 46, No. 2 was premiered.[50] Followed by the premiere of Schönberg's Four Orchestral Songs, Op. 22 in 1932.[51] In 1933, Bartók's Piano Concerto No. 2 premiered, with the composer as soloist.[50][52]

Discography

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  • Strauss, Richard; Orozco-Estrada, Andrés; Magee, Emily; Bronder, Peter; Schuster, Michaela; Koch, Wolfgang; Bruns, Benjamin; Eichenberger, Claude; Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt (2017), Salome : musical drama in one act (in German), [Baarn]: Pentatone, OCLC 1312711943
  • Strauss, Richard; Naxos Digital Services US (2016), STRAUSS, R.: Heldenleben (Ein) / Macbeth (Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Orozco-Estrada), Hong Kong: Naxos Digital Services US Inc, OCLC 8051046524
  • Stravinsky, Igor; Naxos Digital Services US (2016), Stravinsky, I.: Rite Of Spring (The)/ The Firebird Suite (1919 Version)(Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Orozco-Estrada), Hong Kong: Naxos Digital Services US Inc, OCLC 950998238
  • Saint-Saëns, Camille; Inbal, Eliahu; Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt (2005), Symphony no. 1 in E-flat, op. 2 ; Symphony no. 2 in A minor, op. 55 (in no linguistic content), [Netherlands]: PentaTone, OCLC 62586658
  • Holliger, Heinz; Nicolet, Aurèle; Inbal, Eliahu; Bellini, Vincenzo; Molique, Bernhard; Moscheles, Ignaz; Rietz, Julius; Vivaldi, Antonio; Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt; I Musici (2004), Works for oboe and flute (in no linguistic content), [Baarn, Netherlands]: PentaTone Classics, OCLC 76814383
  • Rachmaninoff, Sergei; Haas, Werner; Inbal, Eliahu; Paganini, Nicolò; Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt (2003), Piano concerto no. 2 ; Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini (in no linguistic content), [Netherlands]: PentaTone, OCLC 54111448

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Çatı, Irem (10 January 2022). "Nominiert zum „Publikum des Jahres 2021": hr-Sinfonieorchester". concerti.de (in German). Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Maurer, Sabine. "95 Jahre hr-Sinfonieorchester". Journal Frankfurt (in German). Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Der Cäcilienchor in Frankfurt/Main". Der Cäcilienchor in Frankfurt/Main (in German). Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Hessischer Rundfunk (Strawinsky, Rundfunkaufnahmen)". Diethelm Paulussen / DPs Werkstatt Online (in German). Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Übersichtsseite Streiflichter". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 15 December 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Frankfurt Radio Symphony". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 1 July 2024. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Die Orchester des hr". hr.de (in German). 10 April 2017. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Rosbaud, Hans". Frankfurter Personenlexikon (in German). Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Hans Rosbaud Papers". Archives West. 29 December 1962. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  10. ^ Evans, Joan (4 March 2013). "Hans Rosbaud and the Music of Arnold Schoenberg" (PDF). Canadian University Music Review. 21 (2): 41–59. doi:10.7202/1014484ar. ISSN 2291-2436. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Chefdirigent 1946–1953: Kurt Schröder". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 11 July 2021. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  12. ^ "KulturPortal Frankfurt: Konzerthäuser & Konzertsäle". kultur-frankfurt.de. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Bildergalerie: Die Geschichte des hr-Sinfonieorchesters". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Dixon, Dean". Frankfurter Personenlexikon (in German). Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Dean Dixon papers". The New York Public Library – archives.nypl.org. 25 February 2019. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d "Exzellenz, Tradition, Innovation – das hr-Sinfonieorchester". Strandgut – Das Kulturmagazin für Frankfurt und Rhein-Main (in German). 29 May 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  17. ^ Bruckner, Anton; Inbal, Eliahu; Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt; Hessischer Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester (2010), Symphonies 0–9 ; Symphony in F Minor (in no linguistic content), UK: Warner Music UK Ltd., OCLC 676779857
  18. ^ "Eliahu Inbal". Klassik Radio (in German). 13 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  19. ^ Mahler, Gustav; Inbal, Eliahu; Donath, Helen; Soffel, Doris; Robinson, Faye; Cahill, Teresa; Heichele, Hildegard; Budai, Livia; Henschel, Jane; Riegel, Kenneth; Prey, Hermann; Stamm, Harald; Walther-Lindqvist, Fritz; Nes, Jard van; Schreier, Peter; Cooke, Deryck; Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt; Norddeutscher Rundfunk Chor; Dale Warland Singers; Limburger Domsingknaben; Frankfurter Kantorei; Bayerischer Rundfunk Chor; Süddeutscher Rundfunk Chor; Kölner Rundfunkchor; RIAS-Kammerchor; Hessischer Rundfunk Jugendchor (2000), Symphonies 1–10 ; Das Lied von der Erde (in German), [Leeuwarden, Netherlands]: Brilliant Classics, OCLC 53996683
  20. ^ "Eliahu Inbal". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 7 August 2018. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Chefdirigent 1990–1996: Dmitrij Kitajenko". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 11 July 2021. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  22. ^ Kitaenko, Dmitrij; Krainev, Vladimir; Skrjabin, Aleksandr Nikolaevič.; Radio Sinfonie Orchester Frankfurt (2015), Dmitri Kitaenko conducts Scriabin. CD3, Prométhée, Le divin poéme, Reverie (in no linguistic content), [Stati Uniti]: RCA, Red seal, OCLC 1116007444
  23. ^ Prokofiev, Sergey; Kraĭnev, Vladimir; Kitaenko, Dmitriĭ; Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt (1993), Piano concertos nos. 1–5 (in no linguistic content), Germany: Teldec, OCLC 30537500
  24. ^ "Chefdirigent 1997–2006: Hugh Wolff". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 11 July 2021. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  25. ^ Sandner, Wolfgang (21 October 2023). "Dem Dirigenten Hugh Wolff zum 70. Geburtstag". FAZ.NET (in German). Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  26. ^ a b Holze, Guido (8 February 2006). "Der musikalische Norden". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Frankfurt. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  27. ^ Zibulski, Axel (14 December 2013). "Tänze, Lieder, Puppen-Marsch". Frankfurter Neue Presse (in German). Frankfurt. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  28. ^ "Kontrastreich: Erkki-Sven Tüür". NDR.de (in German). 1 April 2015. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  29. ^ Tüür, Erkki-Sven; Mikkola, Laura; Järvi, Paavo; Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt (2014), Seventh symphony (in German), Gräfelfing, Berlin: ECM-Records-Verlag Universal Music, Vertrieb, OCLC 874070420
  30. ^ Schickhaus, Stefan (24 August 2014). "Der neue Besen: ein Hexenbesen". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Frankfurt. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  31. ^ "Chefdirigent 2014–2021: Andrés Orozco-Estrada". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 30 August 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  32. ^ "Alain Altinoglu wird neuer Chefdirigent des hr-Sinfonieorchesters Frankfurt". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (Press release) (in German). Frankfurt: hr-Sinfonieorchester. 5 December 2019. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  33. ^ "Naturgewalten und Trompeten". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  34. ^ "Vertrag mit Alain Altinoglu, Chefdirigent des hr-Sinfonieorchesters, verlängert – neue musikzeitung". nmz (in German). 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  35. ^ "Elbphilharmonie Hamburg". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 11 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  36. ^ "FRANKFURT/ Alte Oper: HR.SINFONIEORCHESTER; Alain Altinoglu; Julia Fischer (Violine)(Sibelius, Debussy) Musikalische Ambivalenzen – Expressiver Sibelius trifft auf vernebeltes Meer". Online Merker (in German). 22 August 2024. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Alain Altinoglu und das hr-Sinfonieorchester". hr2.de (in German). 29 May 2023. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Saison 2023/24: Nature & Earth". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 27 September 2023. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  39. ^ Zibulski, Axel (14 June 2024). "Mahlers größtes Ich-Werk mit dem hr-Sinfonieorchester". FAZ.NET (in German). Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  40. ^ "Schostakowitsch 8". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  41. ^ "Europa Open Air". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 24 August 2023. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  42. ^ "Stimmungsvolles Sommerabend-Konzert mit Regen-Finale: 16.500 Besucher beim Frankfurt Europa Open Air". hessenschau.de (in German). 31 August 2023. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  43. ^ "Europa Open Air 2023 des hr-Sinfonieorchesters und der EZB". Erstes Deutsches Fernsehen (ARD) (in German). Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Rheingau Musik Festival". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 25 April 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  45. ^ "Eröffnungskonzert mit dem hr-Sinfonieorchester". hr2.de (in German). 12 June 2024. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  46. ^ a b c "Übersichtsseite 2024–2025". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 25 April 2024. Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  47. ^ "Der neue Besen: ein Hexenbesen". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). 2013. Archived from the original on 6 July 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  48. ^ a b Schickhaus, Stefan (15 June 2017). "Ehrendirigenten". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  49. ^ "Ehemalige "Artists in Residence"". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 1 July 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  50. ^ a b "Uraufführungen (Auswahl)". hr-sinfonieorchester.de (in German). 10 March 2024. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  51. ^ Shaw, Jennifer (2003). "At the Crossroads: Schönberg's Wartime Compositions and His Crisis of Faith, 1914–1918". Belmont Music Publishers. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  52. ^ Glass, Herbert (20 December 1962). "Piano Concerto No. 2, Béla Bartók". LA Phil. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.

Further reading

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Rheingau Musik Festival

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Europa Open Air

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