Camerata Salzburg
Chamber Orchestras
In Search of Excellence
Hitting the right note is paramount for any speaker - for musicians it is existential. The art, the challenge, the essence are to be found beyond interpreting the “visible”, what is in the score. This is where the reality of music begins. It was this guiding principle which the legendary violinist Sándor Végh gave to the ensemble, originally founded in 1952 by Bernhard Paumgartner, and which shaped the Camerata’s stylistic identity from 1978 until Végh’s death in 1997. Sir Roger Norrington has been chief conductor from 1997 until 2006. Following to Sir Roger Norrington, who will stay in close contact with the orchestra as “Conductor Laureate”, Leonidas Kavakos was Artistic Director from 2007 to 2009.
Over 50 years of orchestra history have matured the Camerata into a tradition-filled chamber orchestra. Yet it consists of young, motivated musicians who, according to the Swiss Neue Zürcher Zeitung “, play with a commitment and a joy in music-making which is infectious…”. The Camerata Salzburg is exceptional – musically, socially and organisationally. The ensemble is a mirror image of the international world through which it travels. Its over 20 nationalities reflect various their cultures, but all are united by the universal language of music. This is underscored by a considerable achievement: the 80 plus concerts which they play each year are nearly all privately financed - a rarity in Europe.
True to its motto “In Search of Excellence”, the orchestra offers top quality concerts either together with outstanding conductors and soloists or with their First Concertmaster, Alexander Hohenthal. These are characterised by the “Camerata sound”, the product of a special musical spirit, whereby each retains their individuality within the ensemble.
And so it is not surprising that a whole host of well-known international artists are delighted to accept the orchestra’s invitation to play: The season’s guests 2009/10 include Sir Roger Norrington, Giovanni Antonini, Heinz Holliger, Alexander Lonquich, Sir Peter Maxwell-Davies, Martin Grubinger, James Gaffigan and Annette Dasch amongst others. Guest appearances will take them to Southamerica, Spain, Italy, England, Greece, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany.
Regular invitations to the Carinthian Summer as well as to Salzburg’s Mozartwoche are complemented by the Camerata’s own three-day “Begegnung” Festival, in their home town. Further established fixtures are the Salzburger Festspiele and orchestra’s own subscription concert series in Salzburg as well as at the Konzerthaus in Vienna.
SEASON 2009/2010
