Europe's treasure the prestigious Esterházy
Haydn Philharmonie
Founded in 1987 by members of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Hungarian National Philharmonic under conductor Adam Fischer. At the time, before the fall of the Iron Curtain, Fischer's idea was to "bring together the best musicians from both Austria and Hungary and perform Haydn's works together to overcome borders musically." homes gathered.
From the 2015/16 season, Nicola Altstedt will serve as artistic director, and the name of the orchestra will only be written as "Haydn Philharmonic". The 2016/2017 season will feature performances of Haydn's "The Creation" at the Esterházy Palace, a live broadcast of Beethoven's "Fidelio" by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, a seven-performance China tour, and performances by Marc Minkowski, Mikko Frank, and others. It is noteworthy that he has collaborated with conductors and soloists such as Alexander Ronkwig (piano), François Leroux (oboe), and Sharon Cam (clarinet) in Vienna and other places in Europe. became an activity.
Based in Eisenstadt's Haydn Saal within Esterházy Castle, where Haydn composed many of his masterpieces, the orchestra comprises 45 musicians—slightly larger than during Haydn's tenure as music director at Esterházy Castle. Their repertoire spans works by Haydn and his contemporaries, as well as romantic and contemporary compositions, including Haydn's operas and pieces associated with Eisenstadt. Faithfully reproducing the spirit of the Haydn Festival, their concert programs continue to captivate audiences across Central Europe and beyond.
The Haydn Orchestra has received invitations to numerous prestigious international music festivals, including performances at Vienna's Konzerthaus and Musikverein, the Budapest Spring Festival, the BBC Proms in London, and the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York. Their acclaimed tours have taken them not only across Austria and Hungary but also to various European countries, the United States, and Japan.
Their commitment to preserving Haydn's legacy extends to their recordings. Nimbus Records has captured all of Haydn's symphonies from 1987 to 2001, with symphonies 40-54 earning the esteemed "Best of the Year" award from Gramophone magazine. Since 2004, the orchestra has embarked on re-recording Haydn's "London Symphonies" using surround sound technology at Dublinghouse & Grimm. The series' initial two releases received the Echo Classic Awards in 2006 and 2008, respectively, and once again secured the "Best of the Year" recognition from Gramophone Magazine.
In 2009, commemorating the 200th anniversary of Haydn's passing, the orchestra's performance of "The Creation" at Esterházy Castle was broadcast worldwide, including a relay by NHK in Japan, garnering increased global attention. The orchestra's engagements extended to a tour of Japan in November and December, as well as performances at esteemed venues such as the Vienna Konzerthaus, the Palace of Arts in Budapest, the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, and the National Music Hall in Madrid. Their tours in Switzerland and Germany were met with enthusiastic reception, further solidifying their status as a premier ambassador of Haydn's musical legacy.
Enrico Onofri (Principal Guest Conductor)
(Principle Guest Conductor/Italy)
Enrico Onofri, hailing from Ravenna, Italy, embarked on his musical journey studying the violin. Early in his career, he caught the attention of Jordi Savall, the esteemed founder of La Capella Reial de Catalunya, a renowned group in the realm of early music, who invited him to serve as concertmaster. For 23 years, Onofri held the position of concertmaster and soloist with the esteemed Italian early music ensemble, Il Giardino Armonico. Additionally, he performed regularly as a violinist with esteemed ensembles such as the Vienna Concentus Musicus and the Concerto Italiano.
Onofri's talents extend beyond performance to the realm of conducting. He has led successful performances at prestigious music festivals across Europe, Canada, and Japan. In 2000, he founded the Ensemble Imaginarium, showcasing his prowess as both conductor and soloist. As a guest conductor, he has collaborated with esteemed orchestras including the Berlin Academy of Early Music, Orquesta Barroca de Sevilla, Camerata Bern, and the Basel Chamber Orchestra, among others. Since 2019, he has held the position of Principal Guest Conductor with the Haydn Philharmonic.
In addition to gracing major concert halls worldwide, Onofri has collaborated with renowned artists such as Cecilia Bartoli, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Gustav Leonhardt, and the Labèque sisters, leaving an indelible mark on the classical music scene. His recordings on labels such as Teldec, Decca Records, and Sony America have earned widespread acclaim and numerous awards.
Currently, Onofri shares his expertise as a teacher of baroque violin and early music at the Conservatorio Bellini in Palermo, Italy. He also imparts his knowledge through master classes held regularly across Europe, Japan, and at the Juilliard School in New York. Furthermore, he serves as the leader and conductor of the European Union Baroque Orchestra, further solidifying his stature as a luminary in the realm of early music.
Nicolas Altstaedt (conductor/cello solo)
(Conductor, Violoncello/Germany)
Considered one of the most dynamic and accomplished young artists of his generation, Nicola Altstaedt commands attention as both a soloist and conductor, captivating audiences with his versatile repertoire spanning from baroque to contemporary music.
As a conductor, Altstaedt has showcased his talent on the international stage. Notably, he led the Haydn Philharmonic on a successful tour of Japan in June 2018 and collaborated with esteemed ensembles such as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Belgian National Orchestra, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, and Les Violons du Roy. In the 2017/18 season, he premiered Esa-Pekka Salonen's Cello Concerto at the Helsinki Festival and made his debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra. His engagements have taken him across Europe and America, with upcoming performances scheduled with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra in 2019.
Born in 1982 to a family of German and French heritage, Altstaedt studied under the tutelage of renowned cellist Boris Pergamenschikov in Berlin, following which he continued his education with Eberhard Felts. His exceptional talent was recognized early on, winning several international music competitions and receiving prestigious awards such as the Borletti Buitoni Foundation Prize in 2009 and the Credit Suisse Young Artist Award in 2010.
Altstaedt's career trajectory soared further when he became a member of the BBC's New Generation Artists scheme in 2010, affording him opportunities to perform with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at major UK music festivals and concert halls. In 2012, he was appointed the artistic director of the Rockenhaus Chamber Music Festival, succeeding the legendary Gidon Kremer.
Throughout his career, Altstaedt has collaborated with leading orchestras and conductors worldwide, including the Tonhalle Orchestra, the Vienna Symphony, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, among others. His engagements have taken him to prestigious venues such as the Vienna Musikverein and the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society in New York.
A champion of contemporary composers, Altstaedt has premiered works by Kurtag György, Jörg Widmann, Sofia Gubaidulina, and others. He maintains a deep commitment to chamber music, collaborating with esteemed musicians such as Alexander Ronkwig, Pekka Kuusisto, and the Ebène Quartet.
Altstaedt's recorded repertoire includes CPE Bach's cello concerto, which earned him the "Concerto Award" from BBC Music Magazine in 2017. He plays on a Giulio Cesare Gigli cello, crafted around 1760.