The Hamburg Symphony Orchestra

One of Hamburg’s three principal orchestras, the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra has been an important presence on the German and international music scene for more than 50 years. The 2007/2008 anniversary season was a giant step in the orchestra’s progress toward joining Germany’s league of 'A' orchestras: the English conductor Jeffrey Tate, one of the most important musicians of our time, was engaged as Musical Director and plans were announced for the Hamburg Symphony to become Orchestra in Residence of Hamburg’s renowned concert hall, the Laeiszhalle.

In addition to symphony concerts, children’s concerts, a chamber music series, and the traditional open-air summer concerts in the courtyard of the Hamburg Rathaus, in recent years the Hamburg Symphony has consistently demonstrated a high degree of curiosity, motivation, and flexibility with new and innovative programming ideas: film music, performances of silent films with live musical accompaniment, and programs combining music with literary readings have all succeeded in reaching a broader and younger audience. The Hamburg Symphony regularly performs both opera and ballet at the Hamburg State Opera and maintains a close partnership with the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hamburg. A new concert series for pre-school children as well as educational and outreach programs for both children and adults are some of the orchestra’s other important activities.

The Hamburg Symphony Orchestra has been a musical ambassador for the city of Hamburg, performing throughout Germany as well as in Spain, Italy, and Poland. The orchestra also undertook a critically acclaimed five-week tour of the USA in 2007.

The list of prominent musicians who regularly perform with the orchestra is long and includes conductors such as Andrey Boreyko, Christian Arming, Philippe Jordan, Peter Ruzicka, Peter Schreier, Ralf Weikert, Miguel Gomez-Martinez, Stefan Sanderling, and Benjamin Wallfisch as well as soloists such as Elisabeth Leonskaja, Ragna Schirmer, Christian Tetzlaff, Leila Josefowicz, Robert Dean Smith, and Waltraud Meier.

Since the 2009/2010 season, the Chinese conductor Muhai Tang has been the orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor. In addition, the exceptional musician Xavier de Maistre, solo harpist of the Vienna Philharmonic, is Artist in Residence.

Recordings featuring the orchestra are available from Dabringhaus & Grimm and Berlin Classics.

11/2009

Current Recordings with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra