Orchestra of St Paul's
Encyclopedia
The Orchestra of St Paul's (OSP) is a professional chamber orchestra resident at the famous Actors' Church in Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
. In addition to a concert series in Covent Garden, the Orchestra of St Paul's gives regular performances all around the UK and makes annual visits to the Southbank Centre and St John's, Smith Square. OSP appears regularly at UK festivals such as the English Music Festival
English Music Festival
The English Music Festival is an annual four day event held over the second May bank holiday, dedicated to the performance of British composers from the mediaeval to the present day with a strong focus on the early to mid twentieth century...
.
OSP is unique among modern instrument chamber orchestras in playing music of the baroque, classical and even romantic periods entirely without vibrato. This pure tone is complemented by the orchestra’s employment of authentic articulation, phrasing and style. With the exception of natural trumpets in appropriate repertoire the orchestra does not use period instruments; however, this historically informed focus is absolutely central to the group’s approach. The flexible line-up of the Orchestra of St Paul's adapts to suit each project, from the standard classical chamber orchestra to an ensemble of between four and fourteen players; exceptionally OSP expands to a full symphony orchestra.
The group has featured music by composers including Beethoven (including a symphony cycle between 2007–11), William Boyce, Elgar, Haydn, Mahler, Martinů, Poulenc, Rameau, Stravinsky and Wagner, as well as the UK première of the original version of Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn
Mendelson is a Polish/German Jewish family name, meaning "son of Mendel", Mendel being a Yiddish diminutive of the Hebrew given name Menahem, meaning "consoling" or "one who consoles".Mendelssohn is the surname of a number of people:...
’s Symphony No. 5. OSP has collaborated with David Owen Norris
David Owen Norris
-Life:Norris was born in 1953. He studied music at Keble College, Oxford where he was organ scholar; he is now an Honorary Fellow of the college. After leaving Oxford, he studied composition, and worked at the Royal Opera House as a repetiteur...
, Roderick Williams
Roderick Williams
Roderick Williams is an English operatic baritone.-Biography:Williams studied on the Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music in London...
, Steven Osborne (pianist)
Steven Osborne (pianist)
Steven Osborne is a Scottish pianist who has performed concertos and solo recitals worldwide.He was taught by Richard Beauchamp at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh before going to the Royal Northern College of Music/Manchester University in Manchester to study under Renna Kellaway...
, Richard Baker (broadcaster)
Richard Baker (broadcaster)
Richard Baker OBE is a British broadcaster best known as a newsreader for the BBC News from 1954 to 1982. He was a contemporary of Kenneth Kendall and Robert Dougall and was the first person to read the BBC Television News in 1954. At one time he lived in Barnet, North London...
and newsreader and radio presenter Katie Derham
Katie Derham
Katie Derham is a British newscaster and a presenter on television and radio.-Early life:Derham was born in Stockport to John and Margaret Derham, and grew up in Wilmslow...
. OSP made its Southbank Centre debut at Purcell Room
Purcell Room
The Purcell Room is a concert and performance venue which forms part of the Southbank Centre, one of central London's leading cultural complexes. It is named after the 17th century English composer Henry Purcell and has 370 seats....
in September 2008. The orchestra's musical director is Ben Palmer and its patron is Sir Roger Norrington.