Hofer Symphoniker
| Hof Symphony Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
 | |
| Native name | Hofer Symphoniker |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Location |
Klosterstraße 9–11 95028 Hof Germany |
| Concert hall | Freiheitshalle |
| Website |
hofer-symphoniker |
The Hofer Symphoniker (Hof Symphony Orchestra) is a German symphony orchestra based in Hof, Bavaria, Germany. The orchestra began its performing activity in 1945, when Kapellmeister Karl F. Keller founded it as Hofer Konzertorchester.
As a concert orchestra, the Hofer Symphoniker gives concerts at the Freiheitshalle Hof, an event building and concert hall, as well as at several locations in the region of Upper Franconia. The orchestra worked together with artists like Elīna Garanča, Mojca Erdmann, Julia Fischer, Hilary Hahn, Daniel Hope, Albrecht Mayer, Daniel Müller-Schott, Martin Stadtfeld or Jörg Widmann. Regular the orchestra also performs at the Thurn und Taxis Castle Festival in Regensburg with singers like José Carreras, Lucia Aliberti and Jonas Kaufmann.
As a theater orchestra, the Hofer Symphoniker performs at the Theater Hof, which was newly built in 1994. It is the orchestra's home venue, where it performs operas, operettas, musicals and ballets. The theatre also serves as a multi-purpose venue for drama productions and other performances.
In 1978, the Hofer Symphoniker opened its own music school, used to train future talents. As such, the Hofer Symphoniker Music School is the only music school in Germany that is attached to a professional symphony orchestra. As a cultural and educational centre, the corporation includes also a Suzuki Academy and an Art School. An important award was the prestigious Echo Klassik Special Prize for youth education in 2010.
Since 2007, the International Violin Competition Henri Marteau, named after the famous violinist and violin teacher Henri Marteau, takes place under the responsibility of the District of Upper Franconia and is being organized by the Hofer Symphoniker every three years in Lichtenberg and Hof.
Conductors
Chief conductors of the Hofer Symphoniker were:
- 1945–1950: Karl F. Keller (Kapellmeister)
- 1950–1955: Karl Friderich
- 1955–1967: Werner Richter-Reichhelm
- 1967–1973: Peter Richter de Rangenier
- 1973–1974: Klaus Volk (temporary)
- 1974–1979: Lutz Herbig
- 1979–1980: Jaroslav Opěla (temporary)
- 1980–1985: Gilbert Varga
- 1985–1989: Sergio Cárdenas
- 1989–1996: Hikotaro Yazaki
- 1997–2001: Golo Berg
Since 2001, guest conductors lead the orchestra instead of chief conductors. From 2010 to 2016, Swiss conductor Daniel Klajner was "Principal Guest Conductor" of the Hofer Symphoniker. Since 2016, Hermann Bäumer is "Conductor in Residence" of the Hofer Symphoniker.
Since May 2003, Enoch zu Guttenberg is Conductor Laureate of the orchestra.
General managers
- 1946−1965: August Mayer-Pabst was the orchestra's first general manager.
- 1965−2008: Wilfried Anton was largely responsible for the reputation and success of the current cultural and educational corporation Hofer Symphoniker gGmbH. For his achievements, Anton was appointed "Honorary General Manager" on November 20, 2015.
- since January 1, 2009: Ingrid Schrader develops the corporation further.
External links
- Hofer Symphoniker official website
- Hofer Symphoniker official Facebook account
- International Violin Competition Henri Marteau official website