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The Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra - Audio - shop now at Deutsche Grammophon store

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra The Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

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The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, founded in 1972, is unique in many ways: unconventional interpretations, outstanding programmes, an extraordinary level of flexibility and transparency of sound and not least directed democratically by the orchestra members in collective leadership.

This 55 CD edition presents a complete survey of Orpheus’s discography on Deutsche Grammophon. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of a world-famous chamber orchestra, it features:

  • outstanding programmes and illustrious recordings
  • CD sleeves presenting the original cover art
  • the first international release of their Mendelssohn “Italian” Symphony recording
  • booklet including hitherto unseen material from the orchestra’s archives

“With musicians as fiercely independent as the Orpheus players,

the only guarantee is that the process … will be spirited, involving and unpredictable.”

The New York Times

The formation of the ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA in 1972 was facilitated by the zeitgeist: the anti-establishment values of the protests against the American war in Vietnam, the cooperative spirit and therefore the rising ideal of collective artistic leadership. Julian Fifer, cellist and co-founder explains: “Orpheus was created at a time when food co-ops and communal living came into vogue.”  The orchestra’s philosophy of collective and democratic leadership – which extends from repertoire selection to rehearsal to its social activity – has from its formation through today shaped its development.

The intriguing sound culture of Orpheus, especially of the string section, is often explained as a result of the cooperative mindset of the orchestra and its artistic process of rehearsing. Usually a core group of three musicians plus a rotating concertmaster form the musical interpretation of one piece, develop the basic concept, and serve as moderators and facilitators of the ideas coming from the orchestra’s players during a rehearsal. All members bear an imminent responsibility for the musical interpretations. Not only the orchestra members, but also outstanding record producers have formed the sound culture: In the first place, the legendary producer Wolf Erichson did an excellent job in capturing Orpheus’ extraordinary level of flexibility and transparency of sound on tape.

Borne of its partnership with Deutsche Grammophon, important milestones are the striking recordings of Mozart and Haydn, lauded albums such as Schoenberg’s Chamber Symphonies, pieces by Charles Ives, Stravinsky’s Shadow Dances, the Rossini Overtures, the Baroque Encores and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.  Incredible ensemble playing is matched by remarkable soloists such as Charles Neidich and William Purvis from the orchestra, and also in collaborations with Martha Argerich, Gidon Kremer, Mischa Maisky, Jan Lisiecki and Gil Shaham

To sum up: Orpheus' discography on Deutsche Grammophon is a gem worthy of rediscovery.

“The idea was to bring music directly to the people.”

Tracklist:

CD 1 BARTÓK: Divertimento · JANÁČEK: Mládí

CD 2 BEETHOVEN: The Creatures of Prometheus

CD 3 PROKOFIEV · BRITTEN · BIZET: Symphonies

CD 4 VIVALDI · BOCCHERINI: Cello Concertos – Maisky

CD 5 COPLAND: Appalachian Spring · Short Symphony

CD 6 DVOŘÁK: Serenades

CD 7 ELGAR · VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

CD 8 RAVEL · SATIE · FAURÉ

CD 9 GRIEG: Holberg Suite · TCHAIKOVSKY: String Serenade

CD 10-12 HANDEL: Concerti grossi · Water & Fireworks Music

CD 13-19 HAYDN: Symphonies 22, 44, 45, 48, 49, 53, 60, 63, 73, 77–81, 91, 102 · Armida Overture

CD 20 IVES

CD 21 SUMMER EVENING: Kodály · Suk

CD 22 MENDELSSOHN: Concertos – Kremer · Argerich

CD 23 MENDELSSOHN: Symphony 4 * · Piano Concertos – Lisiecki
* new release

CD 24 MENDELSSOHN: String Symphonies 8–10

CD 25 MOZART: Clarinet & Horn Concertos – Neidich · Jolley

CD 26 MOZART: Horn, Oboe & Bassoon Concertos

CD 27 MOZART: Flute Concertos – Palma · Allen

CD 28 MOZART: Eine kleine Nachtmusik · Divertimentos

CD 29 MOZART: Nannerl Septet · Serenata notturna

CD 30 MOZART: Gran Partita

CD 31 MOZART: Wind Serenades

CD 32 MOZART: Sinfonie concertanti

CD 33 MOZART: Symphonies 29, 33, 40

CD 34 MOZART: A Little Light Music

CD 35 RESPIGHI

CD 36 RODRIGO · VILLA-LOBOS: Guitar Concertos – Söllscher

CD 37 ROSSINI: Overtures

CD 38 SAINT-SAENS: Cello Works – Maisky

CD 39 SCHOENBERG: Verklärte Nacht · Chamber Symphonies

CD 40 CLASSICAL HITS

CD 41 SCHUMANN: Cello Works – Maisky · Argerich

CD 42 R. STRAUSS: Divertimento · Der Bürger als Edelmann

CD 43 R. STRAUSS: Wind Sonatinas

CD 44 STRAVINSKY: Pulcinella · Dumbarton Oaks · Miniatures

CD 45 STRAVINSKY: Shadow Dances

CD 46 STRAVINSKY: Orpheus · Danses concertantes

CD 47 TCHAIKOVSKY: Rococo Variations – Maisky

CD 48 VIVALDI: The Four Seasons · Kreisler – Shaham

CD 49 VIVALDI: 6 Flute Concertos – Gallois

CD 50 WEBER: Clarinet Concertos · ROSSINI – Neidich

CD 51 WAGNER · WOLF · PUCCINI · BERLIOZ · SIBELIUS · DVOŘÁK

CD 52 BAROQUE ENCORES

CD 53 ROMANCES – Shaham

CD 54 POINTS OF DEPARTURE

CD 55 WAYFARING STRANGER – Scholl