Unisono: World-travellers yet close to home

 

"People in more and more towns in Germany and abroad want to hear the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra," wrote the press in amazement, praising the ensemble's "outstanding cultivation of Heilbronn's image all over the world." Even in far-off countries like Canada and Australia, radio stations and records ensured that fans of erudite music associated the name 'Heilbronn' with high artistic quality.

 

Even so, the world-travelling musicians of Württemberg remained true to their hometown. The WKO gave first performances and serenades in Heilbronn, it took part in events staged by the local council and the business community, appeared throughout the region, and played at festivals of church music and benefit concerts, which it took just as seriously as tours of South Africa or Japan.

 

At the tender age of seven, the orchestra found itself in the hallowed BBC studios in London. In 1983 it put in an appearance at the Berliner Philharmonie together with acclaimed clarinettist Sabine Meyer. Two years later, it performed at the Bundestag, the German parliament, to mark the centenary of Theodor Heuss, Germany's third president. Meanwhile, around a hundred radio stations broadcast productions featuring the WKO, and the ensemble also cut records featuring a total of some 550 compositions.

 

A musical zenith in Heilbronn, a musical calling card in the outside world: the WKO's foreign tours began to take in ever-more distant destinations, including South Africa, Japan, Russia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bangkok, the USA and Canada. Earning money abroad, back home the WKO was responsible for cultural activities in its homeland.

 

New horizons: 50th anniversary of the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra of Heilbronn

Counterpoint: Foundation on 6 November 1960

Opus 1: Debut concert on 13 January 1961

Stringendo: 'Württemberg' Chamber Orchestra of Heilbronn

Unisono: World-travellers yet close to home

Duet: Encounters with soloists

A tempo: Faerber's 'search for authenticity'

Maestro: Founder, inspiration, guiding father, trustee, European

Forte: A new era starts in 2002 with Ruben Gazarian

Tutti: Social popularity

Vivace: Tradition and new musical worlds

Overture: Chronology of the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra of Heilbronn