Abbado’s orchestra gets a base
UncategorizedThe often troubled Chamber Orchestra of Europe has won a residency from next year at Schloss Esterházy in Eisenstadt.
The orchestra was created in 1981 under Abbado with young graduates of the European Community Youth Orchestra and has struggled to find its place in a competitive market.
Wow, that’s awesome. I assume this means they’ll be performing a fair amount of Haydn as well.
What a wonderful base to have. The Concert Hall is said to be one of the best acoustically and it is really magnificant to see.
Hello, thank you very much for mentioning the COE in Slipped Disc. I would just like to rectify that the COE is not Abbado’s orchestra as it was not founded by Abbado. It is a very common misconception indeed but the COE was actually founded by its musicians, 40 years ago this year. I’m sure you are aware of this though and that this title was just used for effect. Thank you again and best wishes.
Ursula Jones, wasn’t she a founder of the orchestra?
Ursula Jones-Strebi was a founder of the English Chamber Orchestra
I remember a documentary from the 90’s about Abbado. There was a moment in Paris at the new Cité de la musique with Abbado and the young members of this orchestra for a concert. Later there was moment rare with an Abbado very relax in restaurant for a meal with the great actor Maximilian Schell. the kind a diner I would like to have. I remember that he talked in a good french.
after Brexit being a Chamber Orchestra of Europe and being based in London would have been funny. Excellent orchestra made up of excellent musicians but which has no reason to exist anymore, an orchestra must have its own venue, a regular season and interact with the surrounding community, and also tour of course, but COE venue only serves for preparing international tours … how can an orchestra interact if the musicians are all freelancers residing in other countries and gather only to do the tour production?in my humble opinion these are the limits of the vision of that extraordinary musician that was Claudio Abbado.
An fine orchestra with a fantastic back-catalogue of excellent recordings. Long may its existence continue.
If by “struggled to find its place in a competitive market” you mean regularly referenced as perhaps the finest chamber orchestra in the world with recording contracts, world tours with the finest conductors and soloists, etc.: then yes.
I have heard many concerts by this wonderful orchestra, specially those magnificently conducted by Haitink in the last years of his career.
Good news for COE, but what happens to current orchestra of resident in Esterhazy castle, the Haydn Philharmonie? It was founded by Adam Fischer in 1987 to perform Haydn’s work in Haydnsaal. The orchestra made recordings of entire Haydn Symphonies. Fischer handed over to Nicolas Altstaedt in 2017 and they are still the main orchestra of “Herbstgold” festival by Esterhazy. Do they keep Haydn Philharmonie as “Resident”, too? Or is the orchestra which has a long history with that hall kicked out?
I’ve just looked on their website they have concerts coming up there too and also a Concert tour of China in November
“Abbado’s orchestra gets a base”
Because you know he’s all about that base. 😀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PCkvCPvDXk