Chamber Orchestras

Chamber Orchestra Vienna – Berlin

In the eyes of the audience and the international music critics likewise, there are only two orchestras competing for the leading position: the Wiener and the Berliner Philharmoniker. In such a situation, the differences between the two ensembles tend to be emphasized: smooth elegance and nobleness of the Viennese, capti-vating and passionate Berliners, velvety string sound being the virtue of the one, brilliant wind soloists the virtue of the other orchestra.

Under such conditions it doesn't seem inappropriate to celebrate the creation of the Chamber Orchestra Vienna – Berlin as a sensation. However, at a closer look, several important common traits can be noticed: the decade-long cooperation with conductors like Wilhelm Furtwängler, Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado (both Directors of the Wiener Staatsoper and chief conductors of the Berlin Philharmonic) and Sir Simon Rattle has left its imprints on both orchestras, in addition to the year-long association with a nearly identical list of common guest conductors. As a result, they treasure a refinement of playing, in combination with enormous flexibility and a specific beauty of sound, which makes them unique even in regard to the highly virtuoso American top orchestras.

Though good relations have always been established, it is no secret that they are competitors on the music market. It took the initiative of Sir Simon Rattle, whose wish to conduct a common concert of the Wiener and Berliner Philharmoniker for his 50th birthday united both orchestras for the first time. This experience surprisingly turned out to be so positive that it had to be continued.

Out of this idea, the Chamber Orchestra Vienna – Berlin was born. It represents, in a way, the essence of both orchestras, including many of their most renowned musicians. It is their ambition to combine chamber music-like delicacy and symphonic force in their repertoire. The principle aim and at the same time philosophy of this formation is to achieve a unique creative exchange with exciting experiences for both audiences and musicians.

Since the formation of the Chamber Orchestra Vienna – Berlin, Rainer Honeck (concert master of the Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera since 1984 and concert master of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra since 1992) acts as primarius and Artistic Director of the Orchestra. Rainer Honeck is moreover very active as a soloist in Europe (e.g. at the Royal Albert Hall in London), Japan (Suntory Hall, Tokyo) and America (Carnegie Hall, N. Y.). Highlights of the 2010-2011 season included performances of Berg’s violin concerto with the Mariinsky Orchestra under Valery Gergiev and the Vienna Philharmonic under Daniele Gatti. Rainer Honeck’s intensive work as chamber musician and primarius of various ensembles resulted also in several invitations as conductor in the recent past (e.g. Malmö Symphony Orchestra in Sweden and the Mariinsky Orchestra).

Rainer Honeck (Concertmaster Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Eckhard Seifert (leader 1st violins, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Daniel Froschauer (leader 1st violins, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Milan Šetena (1st violins, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Thomas Timm (leader 2nd violins Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)
Romano Tommasini (2nd violin, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)
Christoph Koncz (leader 2nd violins, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Wilfried Strehle (solo-viola, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)                             
Innokenti Grabko (viola, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Wolfgang Talirz (viola, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)
Olaf Maninger (solo-cello & Chairman Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)
Raphael Flieder (solo-cello, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Nabil Shehata (solo-bass, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)
Clemens Horak (solo-oboe, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Wolfgang Tomböck (solo-horn, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)
Thomas Jöbstl (horn, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra)    

Musicians slightly subject to change.