Bad Reichenhaller Philharmonic
The Bad Reichenhall Philharmonic Orchestra is a professional symphonic orchestra based in Bad Reichenhall and was founded in 1868.
history
The history of the spa music in Bad Reichenhall goes back to 1858, when a "bath music" is mentioned for the first time, which was conducted by the town hustler Konrad Landrichinger. In 1867, the city's bathing committee contacted the Royal Prussian music director Josef Gung'l , who was working in Munich at the time. The up-and-coming health resort wanted appropriately designed spa music for its guests. The first spa music contract with Josef Gung'l is dated February 6, 1868. Since Gung'l was immediately commissioned to found a large orchestra, this date is considered to be the founding date of the Philharmonic.
This first Reichenhall orchestra was so successful that it was quickly expanded from 18 to 21 musicians. From 1870 to 1879 the Royal Bavarian music director and military bandmaster Karl Hünn led the orchestra. Although the ensemble played briefly with 27 musicians, it was downsized again for financial reasons. From 1879 to 1921 the Grand Ducal Mecklenburg chamber musician Gustav Paepke was director of the orchestra. He was able to expand the orchestra to today's size of 40 musicians, so that it could play symphonic orchestral literature in addition to upscale light music. In 1905 he even increased to 44 musicians. During his term of office, the construction of the Royal Kurhaus and the Wandelhalle (today the “concert rotunda”) as venues for the orchestra fell.
After the Second World War, Wilhelm Barth in particular shaped the orchestra, which he directed from 1947–1957 and 1962–1984. His successors as artistic director and chief conductor were Christian Simonis (1985–1990), during whose term of office the inauguration of the Bad Reichenhall Theater fell, and Klaus-Dieter Demmler (1990–2003).
The dissolution of the state spa administration and the establishment of the "Kur-GmbH Bad Reichenhall / Bayerisch Gmain" in 1997 required new forms of cooperation. The board members and the management of the sponsoring association established a new identity for the former spa orchestra as a philharmonic orchestra and defined goals, directions and economic processes as well as financing. From 2003 to 2012 Thomas J. Mandl worked as chief conductor and artistic director. He ensured that concert operas and operettas were also embedded in the Philharmonic Music Festival. During this time, a full-time director was formed in 2007 , with Stefan Hüfner becoming the first director .
Since July 2015, General Music Director Christian Simonis has once again been Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Bad Reichenhaller Philharmoniker, which has had this name (previously Bad Reichenhaller Philharmonic) since January 1, 2018 and celebrated its 150th anniversary that year.
tasks
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Outside of Munich , the Bad Reichenhaller Philharmonic is the only professional symphonic orchestra in Upper Bavaria today . As the orchestra of the region, it fulfills a state cultural and educational mandate, it supplies Southeast Bavaria with its own classical orchestral culture. "KurparkClassics", operas, operettas, Philharmonic Music Days and subscription concerts in no less than three venues show the versatility of the Philharmonie. The diverse range of concerts for children and young people are of particular importance.
In addition, with its “KurparkClassics” under the slogan “Music to breathe”, the orchestra makes a contribution to the tourism positioning of the state spa and the Berchtesgadener Land district . The highlight is a classic open-air summer night concert with fireworks at the Thumsee under the title “Der Thumsee is burning” every summer .
financing
The Bad Reichenhaller Philharmonic is supported by a non-profit association (Bad Reichenhaller Philharmonie eV), whose members ensure the continued existence of the orchestra with great commitment. In addition to the income from concert activities, the orchestra is financed by the district of Berchtesgadener Land and the city, among others .
Chief conductor
- 1868–1869: Josef Gung'l
- 1870–1878: Carl Hünn
- 1879–1921: Gustav Paepke
- 1922–1923: Julius Mauerer
- 1924: Fritz Peters
- 1925–1943: Florence Werner
- 1943–1944: Ernst Schmeißer
- 1945–1947: Hans Resch
- 1947–1957: Wilhelm Barth
- 1958–1960: Rudolf Erb
- 1960–1962: Günther Eichhorn
- 1962–1984: Wilhelm Barth
- 1985–1990: Christian Simonis
- 1990–2003: Klaus-Dieter Demmler
- 2003–2011: Thomas J. Mandl
- 2011–2015: Christoph Adt
- since July 2015: General Music Director Christian Simonis (Chief Conductor and Artistic Director)
Other well-known musicians in the orchestra
Otto Seele worked as a percussionist with the Philharmonic before 1895. Andreas Puhani , who was born in Bad Reichenhall, was a guest conductor with the orchestra. In 2009 Mauro Peter made his debut as a tenor with the Bad Reichenhaller Philharmonie as Ferrando in Così fan tutte, in 2010 he also gave Don Ottavio with her and in 2011 Tamino. The Greek coloratura soprano Danae Kontora had an engagement with the orchestra. In 2011 Johannes X. Schachtner received the “Artist in Residence” award from the Bad Reichenhall Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra also worked with the Halle University Choir .
Venues
The Bad Reichenhaller Philharmonie makes regular guest appearances in three local venues: the concert rotunda, the Royal Kurhaus and the Kurgastzentrum. The concert rotunda (formerly “Wandelhalle”) is the venue for the KurClassics and the public rehearsals. Festivals such as Mozart Week and Johann Strauss Days take place in the Royal Kurhaus - Maximilian Hall - (formerly Altes Kurhaus) . The theater in the Kurgastzentrum is the largest hall with the most spacious stage - here there is space for symphonic concerts (subscription concerts) and particularly large performances.
literature
- Dorothea Biehler: A cloud of sound over southeast Bavaria - an orchestral story in episodes. Ed .: Bad Reichenhaller Philharmonie eV, 2018, ISBN 978-3-00-058762-7 .
- Herbert Pfisterer: 125 years of concert orchestra tradition in Bad Reichenhall. Anniversary publication in 1993.
Web links
- Official website
- 150 years of the Bad Reichenhall Philharmonic. The history. In: bad-reichenhall.de. 2018.