Orchestras

Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic Orchestra

The ARPO takes pride in its long and rich tradition: its predecessor was the Łódź Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1915. The ARPO is the oldest symphony orchestra in Poland after the Warsaw National Philharmonic.

In 1984, the Orchestra was renamed Arthur Rubinstein Philharmonic Orchestra, after the Łódź-born virtuoso pianist. Rubinstein himself gave several concerts with the Orchestra, including one of his last performances, shortly before he gave up public performing.

The ARPO has been led by such renowned conducting names as: Emil Młynarski, Walerian Bierdiajew, Grzegorz Fitelberg, Andrzej Markowski and Jan Krenz. The ARPO has given concerts with Hermann Abendroth, Sergei Koussevitzky, Witold Małcużyński, David and Igor Oistrakh, Sviatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich, Stanisław Skrowaczewski Andrzej Bauer, Kaja Danczowska, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Piotr Paleczny, Władysław Kłosiewicz, Rinaldo Alessandrini and Krystian Zimerman.

The Orchestra’s recordings include Karol Szymanowski's Symphony No. 2, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and a selection of operatic arias with soprano Teresa Wojtaszek-Kubiak. The Orchestra has created two hit music series, authored by Henryk Czyż, for radio and television. It has toured worldwide, also with its mixed chorus. The Chorus, led by Marek Jaszczak, was established in 1959 and has about 130 works in its repertoire.

Every year during the summer, the Philharmonic holds the Colours of Poland Touring Festival, which brings music to the architectural and natural attractions in the region of Łódź.

Since 2010, the ARPO’s General and Music Director has been Lech Dzierżanowski. The orchestra’s Principal Conductor is Daniel Raiskin.

www.filharmonia.lodz.pl

Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz

The Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz shows that even a concert orchestra with 350 years of renown, can offer fresh and innovative programmes and an array of concerts to fully explore and develop their musical potential. The orchestra was founded in 1654 as “Fürstbischöfliche Hofkapelle” (Prince-Bishop’s Court Orchestra). In 1973 the orchestra became a public institution of the Federal State of Rhineland- Palatinate. The Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz gives about 60 to 70 concerts every season, as well as 140 performances at the Theatre of Koblenz, including opera, operetta, musical and ballet.

This extensive repertoire makes the orchestra an important part of the intellectual, artistic and social life in Rhineland-Palatinate. Tours in Germany and abroad, the participation in international festivals, broadcasting and CD productions prove the orchestra’s high reputation and make it a most welcome guest in the renowned German and European concert halls.

Especially since the appointment of Daniel Raiskin as Chief Conductor in 2005, and the arrival of its own general manager in 2010, the orchestra was able to flourish artistically and to enhance its profile.
Over the last few years, the orchestra played major symphonic programmes in Milan, Amsterdam, Antwerp and Salzburg. The season 2011/12 includes several guest performances in Cologne, Wiesbaden, Karlsruhe and Mainz, as well as a tour of Austria, Switzerland and Milan.
 
The long-lasting co-operation with the “Musik-Institut Koblenz” allows the orchestra to perform major symphonic concerts also in its hometown Koblenz, with internationally known artists such as Mischa Maisky, Alexei Volodin, Julian Rachlin or Daniel Müller- Schott.
 
As well as the classical concerts, the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz provides a multi-faceted education programme for children, young people and families, but also for senior citizens. In addition the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz reaches new audiences through its jazz orchestra, “The Rhine Phillis Orchestra”.

Chief Conductor: Daniel Raiskin

General Manager: Frank Lefers

Conductor Laureate: James Lockhart

www.rheinische-philharmonie.de