Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra

Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra (full German name: Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim; full English name: South-west German Chamber Orchestra Pforzheim) is an internationally known German chamber orchestra based in Pforzheim.

Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra
Chamber orchestra
Native nameSüdwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim
Founded1950 (1950)
LocationPforzheim
Websitewww.swdko-pforzheim.de

History

The orchestra was founded in 1950 by Friedrich Tilegant, a student of Paul Hindemith. It was directed by Paul Angerer from 1971 to 1981, by Vladislav Czarnecki since 1986, by Sebastian Tewinkel from 2002 to 2012.[1] be Timo Handschuh from 2013 to 2019. Since 2019 Douglas Bostock has served as the orchestra's chief conductor and artistic director.[2]

In 1970 the orchestra conducted a composition competition for its twentieth anniversary; the first prize was awarded to Ulrich Stranz.[3]

Repertoire and recordings

The orchestra has recorded numerous works of Johann Sebastian Bach with the Heinrich-Schütz-Chor Heilbronn and conductor Fritz Werner, including several cantatas, the Mass in B minor (in 1957), the St Matthew Passion (1958), the St John Passion (1960), the Christmas Oratorio (1963), and the Easter Oratorio (1964).[4][5]

It has been instrumental in premieres of works by Boris Blacher, Jean Françaix, Harald Genzmer, and Enjott Schneider.[1]

The orchestra has also recorded the twelve cello concertos of Luigi Boccherini with cellist Julius Berger, a professor at the University of Mainz. A review stated: "Berger is ably assisted in this concerto with sensitive and polished accompaniments from the Southwest German Chamber Orchestra using modern instruments under Maestro Vladislav Czarnecki."[6]

References