Haydn Les Symphonies Vol 23 N 6 8 35 46 51 Fey Spillner - Hc16088 - Hänssler Classic

The exceptional status of Heidelberg’s Symphony Orchestra is impressively documented by the twenty years and more of the ensemble’s existence. “The orchestra plays in a relaxed manner, with virtuosity and an attractive, infectious spirit. It plunges into the music in a thoroughly adventurous mood, without ever losing its head.” (Fono Forum). The Heidelberger Sinfoniker debuted on January 1, 1994, with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The orchestra’s approach to interpretation was decisively influenced by intensive training in historical performance practice with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and honed in the rehearsals conducted by its former conductor Thomas Fey, who was obliged on account of an accident to withdraw from active music-making till further notice. “A great orchestra on its way to a glorious future;” wrote the Süddeutsche Zeitung. This was the period at which regular work began with such celebrated soloists as Fazil Say, Martin Stadtfeld, Haiou Zhang, Ragna Schirmer, Carolin Widmann, Wilhelm Bruns, Reinhold Friedrich, Rudolf Buchbinder, Nelson Freire, Bernd Glemser, Cyprien Katsaris and Thomas Zehetmair. Tours have taken the Heidelberger Sinfoniker to many European countries, South America and Japan. The orchestra’s repertoire now ranges beyond the Viennese Classical era into the later 19th century, with emphasis on German early Romantic works. A tally of over 50 CD recordings, notably for the hänssler CLASSIC label, have ensured popular and critical acclaim in recent years for the Heidelberg music-makers. The ensemble’s recorded account of all Haydn’s symphonies, to which it has recently returned, is complemented by its complete edition of all Mendelssohn’s symphonies. Several CDs of symphonies by Beethoven and of Mozart’s piano concertos and symphonies round out its repertoire. A number of its recordings have received international awards, and the specialist press has shown rare unanimity in praising the orchestra’s vivid and striking readings of familiar works. Diligence in rehearsal and a spirited approach to the shaping of each work have endowed the Heidelberger Sinfoniker – now shaping its own future under the direction of its leader Benjamin Spillner - an unmistakable identity.