Biography

For a half-century or more, the internationally renowned Württemberg Chamber Orchestra has been a highly visible presence both in concert and on countless recordings. Consisting entirely of strings, the 22-member ensemble is seven players on first violin, five on second, four each on viola and cello, and two on double bass. But the WCO often augments its forces to accommodate certain works like the Johann Christian Hertel Concerto No. 3 for trumpet, strings, and basso continuo. While the repertory is rich in Baroque works by J.S. Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and others, the WCO plays a huge array of Classical-era, Romantic, and modern compositions, taking in music by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Saint-Säens, Tchaikovsky, and Shostakovich, as well as works by little knowns like 20th century Swiss composer Hans Schaeuble and contemporary German composer Harald Genzmer. The WCO performs a regular schedule of concerts in Heilbronn, including children's concerts, and regularly tours across Europe, often appearing at music festivals in Salzburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Vienna (Vienna Music Festival), and many others. The WCO has recorded more than 500 works over the years, with most efforts appearing on Vox, Teldec, and EMI. The Württemberg Chamber Orchestra (also known as the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn) was founded in 1960 by Jörg Faerber. Faerber conducted the orchestra, consisting then of 16 musicians, in its first concert on January 13, 1961. Faerber led the ensemble for over 40 years, gradually building its reputation in the early years, despite charges that his and the orchestra's association with budget label recordings tainted its reputation. Critics and record buyers who listened to these recordings or attended concerts quickly became aware of the WCO's skills. By the late '80s the ensemble was internationally celebrated and soon major labels were interested. Flutist James Galway and clarinetist Sabine Meyer together made an acclaimed recording of works by Franz Danzi with the WCO in 1993, issued on RCA. There followed several EMI recordings, one with trumpeter Maurice André in Albinoni concertos (1995) and another with violinist Frank Peter Zimmerman in Mozart concertos (1996), both receiving high marks from critics. In 2002 Ruben Gazarian was appointed the WCO's music director. He has since maintained the same high standards set by Faerber and added more works from the Romantic and modern eras to the orchestra's repertory. Among the WCO's later recordings is the 2008 CD on Bayer Records of Shostakovich chamber symphonies.