Staatskapelle Weimar

Founded in 1491, the Staatskapelle Weimar is one of the oldest orchestras in the world, its reputation inextricably linked to some of the greatest works and musicians of all time. This was the orchestra in which Bach was employed from 1708 to 1717 and which then enjoyed particular renown under the direction of Franz Liszt in the mid-19th century with premieres that included Wagner’s Lohengrin.

In 1889 another extraordinary conductor and composer helped the orchestra achieve an even greater reputation, the 25-year-old Richard Strauss, who directed the world premiere of his own first opera Guntram and Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel in Weimar.

The award-winning Argentinian pianist Nelson Goerner is one of the foremost pianists of his generation, celebrated for his solo and concerto performances, as well as chamber music recitals with the great Martha Argerich, Takács Quartet, Janine Jansen, and Steven Isserlis, to name but a few.

The young but already internationally renowned Swedish conductor Stefan Solyom was appointed General Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Staatskapelle in 2009 and we are enormously proud to welcome such a distinguished orchestra as part of our series.

Part of Zurich International Concert Series 2012-13.

6.30pm: Pre-concert music by Royal College of Music students
Beethoven: String Quartet in F major, Op.18 No.1
(performed by the Fontanelli Quartet)