Amsterdam Sinfonietta
The Amsterdam Sinfonietta is a string orchestra, its basic formation comprising six first violins, five second violins, three violas, four cellos, and two double basses. The Scottish violinist Candida Thompson is its artistic director and concertmaster. The ensemble has a broad repertoire ranging from Baroque to 21st-century music. Light music ...
Full biography
Biography Amsterdam Sinfonietta
The Amsterdam Sinfonietta is a string orchestra, its basic formation comprising six first violins, five second violins, three violas, four cellos, and two double basses. The Scottish violinist Candida Thompson is its artistic director and concertmaster. The ensemble has a broad repertoire ranging from Baroque to 21st-century music. Light music also plays a significant role in its programming. The orchestra is notable for its chamber-music-like approach to scores and strong communication between the musicians. Since its founding in 1988 as the Nieuw Sinfonietta – a name later expanded to Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam – the ensemble has become recognized worldwide as one of the leading string orchestras.
1988
The cellist Maarten Mostert puts together what for him is the ideal type of ensemble: a string orchestra capable of meeting every qualitative demand. He invites the Russian conductor Lev Markiz to lead this orchestra, which is called the Nieuw Sinfonietta. Under Markiz, it soon carves out a place for itself in Dutch musical life. It stands apart particularly for adding music by the then not so well-known contemporary Russian composers Alfred Schnittke and Edison Denisov to its repertoire.
1989
At its first performance in the Recital Hall of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the string orchestra wins over the audience and press alike with its intense ensemble-playing and arrangements of string quartets by Dimitry Shostakovich. It is also scores a success at Utrecht's Vredenburg Hall. Room is made for it on the next season's programming.
1991
The BIS label releases the string orchestra's first CD, entirely dedicated to the music of Edison Denisov. For a CD with Shostakovich's 'Chamber Symphony' op 110a and op. 118a, it receives an Edison award.
1993
BIS releases a CD of early string symphonies by Mendelssohn, the first in a series of what to this day remain the definitive recordings of string symphonies and solo concertos by this composer.
1995
The Scottish violinist Candida Thompson is named concertmaster. Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam forms the string core of Stockhausen's 'Gruppen' in the Carte Blanche concerts – in which artists are given carte blanche to compile a concert series – programmed by Reinbert de Leeuw in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.
1996
On Queen Beatrix's invitation, the orchestra performs a private concert in South Africa for Nelson Mandela and guests.
1997
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam sets up Frank Martin Day, in which a number of concerts related to the Swiss composer's work are given. The event focuses attention on Martin's music and is an enormous success.
1998
Bohuslav Martinů Day, another Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam initiative, is as succesful as was Frank Martin Day. The orchestra reaches a turning point. Markiz, the conductor who led it to prominence, resigns. The orchestra chooses to build on a musicianship culture and appoints as its conductor the Canadian Peter Oundjian, former first violinist of the Tokyo String Quartet. Oundjian concentrates on the classical and early Romantic repertoire. The orchestra performs in Thomas Hampson's Carte Blanche series at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.
1999
In April the orchestra performs in the Dutch premiere of Philippe Boesmans' opera 'Reigen', in a Nationale Reisopera production. In December, it is in the orchestra pit at de Nederlandse Opera for the Peter Sellars production of 'Biblical Pieces', featuring works by Stravinsky.
2000
During the Vocal Festival, the orchestra comes to the forefront as an ensemble that can perform without a conductor. The soloist Thomas Hampson serves as mentor during rehearsals for a performance of Mahler's 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn'.
2001 - 2002
The orchestra returns to South Africa for an extensive tour and to hold various workshops for children. At the Holland Festival, the orchestra, conducted by Micha Hamel, performs several premieres of works by young Dutch composers. In the following year, it makes its debut at the Cité de la Musique in Paris.
2003
The orchestra introduces its Breder dan Klassiek [More than Classical] tour, in which it plays a series of New Year's concerts with performers not associated with classical music. The first is with Trijntje Oosterhuis. In the following years come The Houdinis and Bobby McFerrin. The orchestra names Candida Thompson artistic director. The idea is to continue without a conductor, inviting one only for projects where a conductor seems necessary. As it has become clear that the relationship with Oundjian has not delivered the hoped for results, the concertmaster now serves as the orchestra's leader. Upon departing, Oundjian says of the new situation: “Playing more without a conductor is incredibly helpful for the ensemble-playing. The musicians want to be asked to play their best. That is also the beauty of this orchestra: The intense ensemble-playing reminds me of playing as first violinist of the Tokyo String Quartet. It is a sort of magic that is hard to find in any orchestra.” Underscoring the change of course, the orchestra changes its name to the Amsterdam Sinfonietta. The first Sinfonietta String Festival is held – since then an annual event – with Gennady Rozhdestvensky as special guest. At the Amsterdam Concertgebouw's invitation, the orchestra performs in Murray Perahia's Carte Blanche concert series.
2006 - 2009
For the Breder dan Klassiek New Year's concerts, the orchestra makes a lengthy tour with the Portuguese fado singer Cristina Branco; for the 2008 'Breder dan Klassiek' tour it works with the violinist Roby Lakatos; and for the 2009 'Breder dan Klassiek' New Year's concert, it works with Karin Bloemen. The 'Bohemian Album' CD, with music by the Czech composers Antonin Dvořák, Pavel Haas and Erwin Schulhoff, is released in May and is well-received by critics.
2010
The orchestra works with Wende Snijders in the 'Breder dan Klassiek' tour. An ambitious multimedia concert – in which the cellist Sol Gabetta, actor Jeroen Willems and director Pierre Audi participate – is programmed for the 2010-2011. The orchestra brings this performance to six prominent European concert halls.
Discography Amsterdam Sinfonietta
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Concert, Kammermusik, Variaties op Es Ist Genug, Epitaph voor kamerorkest (Denisov)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1991
|
Label
|
BIS, 518
|
muzikant
|
Annelie de Man
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Apollon Musagète, Dumbarton Oaks, Concerto in D (Igor Strawinsky)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1992
|
Label
|
Globe
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Kammersymphonie Opus 73a, Sonate Voor Altviool en Kamerorkest Opus 147a (Sjostakovitsj)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1992
|
Label
|
Globe, GLO 5093
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Danse sacrée, Danse profane, Deux Arabesques, Sonate Voor Fluit, Altviool en Harp (Debussy)
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
The Complete String Symphonies Vol.1 (Mendelsohn)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1994
|
Label
|
BIS, BIS 643
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
The Complete String Symphonies Vol.2 (Mendelsohn)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1994
|
Label
|
BIS, BIS 683
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Blazersconcerten Vol. 2 (Mozart)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1995
|
Label
|
Vanguard
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Blazersconcerten Vol. I (Mozart)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1995
|
Label
|
Vanguard
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Der Tod und Das Mädchen (Schubert), Strijkkwartet Nr. 11 in f opus 95 (Beethoven) gearrangeerd door Gustav Mahler
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1995
|
Label
|
BIS, BISCD 674
|
The Houdini's & Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Porgy & Bess Suite (George Gershwin)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1995
|
Label
|
Channel Classics, CCS 8395
|
arrangeur
|
Bert van den Brink
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
The Complete String Symphonies Vol.3 (Felix Mendelsohn)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1995
|
Label
|
BIS, BIS 748
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Zoek (Guus Jansen), Glenz (Willem Jeths), Zey (Jeff Hamburg)
Otto Ketting
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1996
|
Label
|
Composers Voice, CV 55
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
The Complete String Symphonies Vol.4 (Felix Mendelsohn)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1997
|
Label
|
BIS
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Cello Music (Paul Hindemith)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1998
|
Label
|
BIS
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Concert In D voor Viool, Piano en Orkest (Mendelssohn)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1998
|
Label
|
BIS, BISCD 713
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Arensky Variaties Op Een Thema Van Tsjaikovski
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 1999
|
Label
|
Globe, GLO 5053
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
Strijkkwartet Opus 131 (Beethoven)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2002
|
Label
|
BIS, BISCD 1218
|
Kammersymphonien Opus 110a en 118a (Sjostakovitsj)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2004
|
Label
|
Fidelio
|
Souvenir de Florence, Opus 70 (Tsjaikovski), Strijkkwartet in E (Verdi)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2004
|
Label
|
Channel Classics, CCSSA 21504
|
Strijkkwartet in F, Opus 135 (Beethoven), Sonate voor Strijkers (Walton )
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2005
|
Label
|
Channel Classics
|
Allegro Voor Vier Strijkkwartetten (Van Bree)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2006
|
Label
|
Eigen beheer
|
Strijkkwartetten 2 en 4 (Sjostakovitsj)
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2007
|
Label
|
Channel Classics, CCSSA 26007
|
Britten -(Les Illuminations, Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, Serenade, Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal )
Strijkkwartet In C Mineur Opus 51 (Brahms), Verklärte Nacht (Schönberg )
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2009
|
Label
|
Channel Classics, CCSSA 30411
|
The Bohemian Album
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2009
|
Label
|
Channel Classics, CCSSA 24409
|
The Mahler Album
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2009
|
Label
|
Channel Classics, CCSSA 31511
|
Britten
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2013
|
Label
|
Channel Classics, CCSSA 32213
|
Shostakovich chamber symphonies opus 110a en 118a, Weinberg concertino
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2013
|
Label
|
Channel Classics, CCSSA 34313
|
Mansurian: quasi parlando
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2014
|
Label
|
ECM New Series, 2323
|
Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam
-
La Tempesta
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD,
|
Label
|
Eigen beheer
|
muzikant
|
Peter Brunt
|
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2007
|
Label
|
Globe Records, GLO 5216
|
muzikant
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Act
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
Type and year
|
CD, 2010
|
Label
|
LA Bloemen Productions, LBP 1001
|
muzikant
|
Amsterdam Sinfonietta
|
In the discography you will find all recordings that have been released listed chronologically. We restrict ourselves to the title, the type of audio, year of publication or recording, label, list of guest musicians, plus any comments on the issue.
Photos Amsterdam Sinfonietta
Audio/Video Amsterdam Sinfonietta