Northern Sinfonia
Encyclopedia
The Northern Sinfonia is a British chamber orchestra, based initially in Newcastle upon Tyne
, and currently in Gateshead
. For the first 46 years of its history, the orchestra gave the bulk of its concerts at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne
. Since 2004, the orchestra has been resident at The Sage Gateshead. The Northern Sinfonia Chorus is affiliated with the orchestra.
Michael Hall founded the ensemble in 1958 as the first permanent chamber orchestra in Britain. The ensemble gave its first concert on 24 September 1958 as the 'Sinfonia Orchestra', at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, and gave 6 concerts in its first season, 1958-1959. Hall acted as the organisation's single leader, in effect as "general manager, secretary, artistic director, conductor, and fund-raiser", though without a formal title. The word "Northern" was added to the orchestra's name in 1959. The orchestra became an established institution in 1959, with Humphrey Noble chosen as the first chairman of the ensemble's management committee. Hall resigned from the orchestra in 1964, but returned as a guest conductor in subsequent years. After Hall's departure, Rudolf Schwarz
and Boris Brott took over musical leadership of the ensemble in parallel, with Schwarz being the first titled artistic director of the ensemble. Keith Statham served as the orchestra's general manager from 1966 to 1974.
PLAYERS
The late James Joseph was the first principal clarinet of the Orchestra. He was a brilliant player with a most beautiful tone. He had been a pupil of the great Frederick (Jack) Thurston at the Royal college of Music.Colin Parr and George McDonald played next to him in the early days under Michael Hall's baton. George McDonald went on to be first clarinet when Mr Joseph left.
YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Michael Hall also founded the Youth Orchestra called The Junior Philharmonic which was tutored by players from the orchestra
The current music director of the Northern Sinfonia is Thomas Zehetmair
, who was named to the post in November 2001, starting with the 2002-2003 season, for an initial contract of 3 years and 6 weeks of concerts each season. In August 2005, he extended his contract for another 3 years through 2008. He continues as the orchestra's music director as of the 2008-2009 season.
The orchestra has recorded for the NMC and Naxos labels, among others.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, and currently in Gateshead
Gateshead
Gateshead is a town in Tyne and Wear, England and is the main settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. Historically a part of County Durham, it lies on the southern bank of the River Tyne opposite Newcastle upon Tyne and together they form the urban core of Tyneside...
. For the first 46 years of its history, the orchestra gave the bulk of its concerts at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. Since 2004, the orchestra has been resident at The Sage Gateshead. The Northern Sinfonia Chorus is affiliated with the orchestra.
Michael Hall founded the ensemble in 1958 as the first permanent chamber orchestra in Britain. The ensemble gave its first concert on 24 September 1958 as the 'Sinfonia Orchestra', at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, and gave 6 concerts in its first season, 1958-1959. Hall acted as the organisation's single leader, in effect as "general manager, secretary, artistic director, conductor, and fund-raiser", though without a formal title. The word "Northern" was added to the orchestra's name in 1959. The orchestra became an established institution in 1959, with Humphrey Noble chosen as the first chairman of the ensemble's management committee. Hall resigned from the orchestra in 1964, but returned as a guest conductor in subsequent years. After Hall's departure, Rudolf Schwarz
Rudolf Schwarz
Rudolf Schwarz may refer to:* Rudolf Schwarz , German architect* Rudolf Schwarz , Austrian-born British conductor...
and Boris Brott took over musical leadership of the ensemble in parallel, with Schwarz being the first titled artistic director of the ensemble. Keith Statham served as the orchestra's general manager from 1966 to 1974.
PLAYERS
The late James Joseph was the first principal clarinet of the Orchestra. He was a brilliant player with a most beautiful tone. He had been a pupil of the great Frederick (Jack) Thurston at the Royal college of Music.Colin Parr and George McDonald played next to him in the early days under Michael Hall's baton. George McDonald went on to be first clarinet when Mr Joseph left.
YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Michael Hall also founded the Youth Orchestra called The Junior Philharmonic which was tutored by players from the orchestra
The current music director of the Northern Sinfonia is Thomas Zehetmair
Thomas Zehetmair
Thomas Zehetmair is an Austrian violinist and conductor. He studied at the Salzburg Mozarteum, where both of his parents taught. His festival debut was at age 16. He was in master classes with Nathan Milstein and Max Rostal....
, who was named to the post in November 2001, starting with the 2002-2003 season, for an initial contract of 3 years and 6 weeks of concerts each season. In August 2005, he extended his contract for another 3 years through 2008. He continues as the orchestra's music director as of the 2008-2009 season.
The orchestra has recorded for the NMC and Naxos labels, among others.
Artistic Directors, Music Directors and Principal Conductors
- Michael Hall (1958–1964)
- Rudolf SchwarzRudolf Schwarz (conductor)Rudolf Schwarz CBE was an Austrian-born conductor of Jewish ancestry. He became a British citizen and spent the latter half of his life in England.-Early life:...
(1964–1973) - Christopher SeamanChristopher SeamanChristopher Seaman is a British conductor, the son of Albert Edward Seaman and Ethel Margery Seaman. He was educated at Canterbury Cathedral Choir School and The King's School, Canterbury, and later studied at King's College, Cambridge...
(1973–1979) - Tamás VásáryTamás VásáryTamás Vásáry is a celebrated Hungarian concert pianist.- Biography and career :Vásáry made his debut at the age of 8, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto in D major, K.107 in the city of his birth, where he gave a solo recital the following year. He then began to concertize regularly as a child...
and Iván FischerIván FischerIván Fischer is a Hungarian conductor and composer. Born in Budapest into a Jewish musical family, Fischer initially studied piano, violin, cello and composition in Budapest...
(1979–1982) - Richard HickoxRichard HickoxRichard Sidney Hickox CBE was an English conductor of choral, orchestral and operatic music.-Early life:Hickox was born in Stokenchurch in Buckinghamshire into a musical family...
(1982–1990) - Heinrich SchiffHeinrich SchiffHeinrich Schiff is an Austrian cellist and conductor. He studied cello with Tobias Kühne and André Navarra and made his solo debut in Vienna and London in 1971...
(1990–1996) - Jean-Bernard PommierJean-Bernard PommierJean-Bernard Pommier , is a French pianist and conductor.- Biography :Pommier studied conducting at the Conservatoire de Paris with Yves Nat, Pierre Sancan and Eugene Bigot....
(1996–1999) - Thomas ZehetmairThomas ZehetmairThomas Zehetmair is an Austrian violinist and conductor. He studied at the Salzburg Mozarteum, where both of his parents taught. His festival debut was at age 16. He was in master classes with Nathan Milstein and Max Rostal....
(2002–present)