Hamburg Symphony Orchestra - State Theatre

Meet the Orchestra
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Founded in 1957, the Hamburg Symphony has both a national and
international reputation for being one of the most original symphonies in the
city. As the only orchestra housed in the Hamburg Music Hall, they have
secured a key spot in Hamburg’s music scene. The orchestra’s first principal
conductor, Robert Heger, has been succeeded by the likes of Imre Kertesz and
Miguel Gómez-Martinez, with guest conductors including Christian
Theilemann, Horst Stein, and Sebastian Weigle.
The Hamburg Symphony, when not touring, can be heard in subscription
series, including open-air concerts in the summer. One of theses series includes
chamber music concerts, vocal recitals, and concerts devoted to silent films.
The second is a series of concerts for children and young adults, including
outreach programs to schools. In 2008, the orchestra further dedicated itself to
the advancement of young musicians and established an Artist in Residence
position that has featured clarinetist Martin Fröst and violinist Guy Braunstein.
In 2009, Jeffrey Tate took over as Principal Conductor and Daniel Kühnel as
General Manager and Artistic Director. Together, they have strengthened the
orchestra’s connection with the city and increased their audience by 56%. The
Hamburg Symphony has featured some of the world’s most renowned soloists,
including Frank Peter Zimmerman, Placido Domingo and Elisabeth Leonskaja.
The orchestra has toured throughout Europe in Italy, Spain, Poland, Great
Britain, Turkey, and France, taking it’s place as one of Europe’s foremost
orchestras. This U.S. tour marks the first time the symphony as visited the States
since 2007.
“From the warmth of the first
horn chords and the airy
lightness of the violins in the
first movement, to the
grandeur of the finale, the
Hamburg’s performance was
all one hoped for. There were
moments when sections or
individuals shone... when the
orchestra itself seemed to
dance."
—Newsday