Metropole Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Metropole Orchestra is a jazz and pop orchestra based in the Netherlands
, and is the largest full time ensemble of its kind in the world. A hybrid orchestra, it is a combination of jazz big band and symphony orchestra. Comprising 52 musicians, it is versatile across many musical forms, and is equipped with a "double rhythm section“ - one for pop and rock, and one for jazz based music.
It was founded in 1945 by Dolf van der Linden
at the urging of officials from Netherlands Public Broadcasting, which manages and subsidizes the orchestra. The name of the group was suggested by one of the musicians. Dolf van der Linden led the ensemble for 35 years until he stepped down in 1980. He was replaced by Rogier van Otterloo
, who led the group until his sudden death in 1988. Dick Bakker held the baton until 1995 when the current conductor, Vince Mendoza
, took over.
The orchestra is a regular feature at the North Sea Jazz festival and the yearly Holland Festival along with many TV and radio programs broadcast to millions. The ever-growing Dutch film and television industry relies heavily on the Metropole Orchestra for its film scores. Since 2005 the Metropole is under the baton of its Chief, four-time Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza
, and can be seen frequenting the concert stage, in festivals and on recordings in the Netherlands as well as internationally.
In European Radio broadcasting, its closest counterparts are the BBC Concert Orchestra
, and in particular the now defunct BBC Radio Orchestra
which had the same instrumentation. The ensembles often performed with the same guest conductors and soloists, using the same bespoke arrangements.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and is the largest full time ensemble of its kind in the world. A hybrid orchestra, it is a combination of jazz big band and symphony orchestra. Comprising 52 musicians, it is versatile across many musical forms, and is equipped with a "double rhythm section“ - one for pop and rock, and one for jazz based music.
It was founded in 1945 by Dolf van der Linden
Dolf van der Linden
David Gysbert van der Linden was a Dutch conductor of popular music with a reputation which extended beyond the borders of the Netherlands....
at the urging of officials from Netherlands Public Broadcasting, which manages and subsidizes the orchestra. The name of the group was suggested by one of the musicians. Dolf van der Linden led the ensemble for 35 years until he stepped down in 1980. He was replaced by Rogier van Otterloo
Rogier van Otterloo
Willem Rogier van Otterloo was a Dutch composer and conductor.-Biography:Van Otterloo was the eldest son of the conductor Willem van Otterloo. He composed several soundtracks for Dutch films and in 1980 became conductor of the Metropole Orkest for jazz music in Amsterdam...
, who led the group until his sudden death in 1988. Dick Bakker held the baton until 1995 when the current conductor, Vince Mendoza
Vince Mendoza
Vince Mendoza is a music arranger and composer.Mendoza was born in Connecticut and studied guitar as a child, influenced by classical music, soul and jazz. He then took up the trumpet, which he continued to play throughout his time at Ohio State University, where he played in the Jazz Ensemble and...
, took over.
The orchestra is a regular feature at the North Sea Jazz festival and the yearly Holland Festival along with many TV and radio programs broadcast to millions. The ever-growing Dutch film and television industry relies heavily on the Metropole Orchestra for its film scores. Since 2005 the Metropole is under the baton of its Chief, four-time Grammy Award winner Vince Mendoza
Vince Mendoza
Vince Mendoza is a music arranger and composer.Mendoza was born in Connecticut and studied guitar as a child, influenced by classical music, soul and jazz. He then took up the trumpet, which he continued to play throughout his time at Ohio State University, where he played in the Jazz Ensemble and...
, and can be seen frequenting the concert stage, in festivals and on recordings in the Netherlands as well as internationally.
In European Radio broadcasting, its closest counterparts are the BBC Concert Orchestra
BBC Concert Orchestra
The BBC Concert Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London, one of the British Broadcasting Corporation's five radio orchestras. With around fifty players, it is the only one of the five which is not a full-scale symphony orchestra....
, and in particular the now defunct BBC Radio Orchestra
BBC Radio Orchestra
The BBC Radio Orchestra was a broadcasting orchestra based in London, maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation from 1965 until 1991....
which had the same instrumentation. The ensembles often performed with the same guest conductors and soloists, using the same bespoke arrangements.