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.de |
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 give concerts at the Freiheitshalle Hof, an event building and concert hall. The orchestra worked together with artists like Elīna Garanča, Jonas Kaufmann, Hilary Hahn, Julia Fischer, Peter Sadlo, Daniel Hope, Dmitri Sitkovetsky, Alice Sara Ott, Mojca Erdmann, Daniel Müller-Schott or Albrecht Mayer. Regular the orchestra also performs at the Thurn und Taxis Castle Festival in Regensburg.
As a theater orchestra, the Hofer Symphoniker perform at the Theater Hof, which was newly built in 1994. It is the orchestra's home venue, where they perform 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 their 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. Since the 2010-2011 season, Swiss conductor Daniel Klajner is "Principal Guest Conductor" 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.
- since January 1, 2009: Ingrid Schrader develops the corporation further.
