Sinfonia of London

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For similarly named orchestras, see City of London Sinfonia and London Sinfonietta.

Sinfonia of London
Orchestra
Sinfonia Of London at the BBC Proms 2023. Photograph by Chris Christodoulou.
Founded1955 (1955), re-established 2018 (2018)
LocationLondon
Principal conductorJohn Wilson
Music directorJohn Wilson
WebsiteOfficial Website

Sinfonia of London is a symphony orchestra based in London, England, conducted by John Wilson.[1]

The present orchestra, re-established by Wilson in 2018, is the third of three distinct ensembles to bear this name. Building on Sinfonia of London's significance historically as a recording orchestra, the present ensemble released 17 albums within the first five years of its re-establishment,[2] many of which were recipients of industry awards.

In 2021, the orchestra made its live debut at the BBC Proms, and has returned every year since,[3] as well as performing live tours across the United Kingdom.

In its current incarnation, Sinfonia of London consists of top-tier musicians, including principals and leaders from various UK and international orchestras, distinguished soloists, and members of notable chamber groups. This has led to the ensemble being frequently described as a “supergroup” or “super-orchestra” by UK classical music journalists.[4][5][6]

Previous Orchestras[edit]

The First Sinfonia of London (1955-1970)[edit]

The original Sinfonia of London was founded in 1955 by Gordon Walker specifically for the recording of film music. The orchestra came into being when there was a split in the future direction of the London Symphony Orchestra, many LSO players leaving to join the Sinfonia of London in order to undertake the more lucrative film soundtrack work. The orchestra appeared in the musical credits of many British and American films of the 1950s and 1960s, including the 1958 soundtrack for the Alfred Hitchcock thriller Vertigo with Bernard Herrmann's score conducted by Muir Mathieson for Mercury Records and, in 1961, the soundtrack of the horror film Gorgo.

Among the original ensemble's most celebrated commercial classical recordings are the first recording made by Colin Davis, comprising Mozart's Symphonies 29 and 39 and issued by World Record Club (TZ 130) along with its 1963 recordings with Sir John Barbirolli conducting the Serenade for Strings of Edward Elgar and the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis of Ralph Vaughan Williams for EMI Classics. Hans Swarowsky conducted the ensemble in a World Record Club LP (WRC T 11) of Beethoven's 5th Symphony and Egmont Overture.[7]

The original orchestra ceased to perform at the end of the 1960s. Its final recording was Classical Heads (CAS 1008) with The Ambrosian Singers, released in 1970.

The Second Sinfonia of London (1982-1999)[edit]

In 1982 the title Sinfonia of London was bought by Peter Willison and Howard Blake from the Walker family for the purpose of having a named orchestra for the first recording of The Snowman. Under Willison's management, the orchestra went on to record the soundtracks to over 300 films,[8] including Batman, The Mummy Returns, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life, Lost in Space, The Lawnmower Man, Stargate, Tombstone, RoboCop and Young Sherlock Holmes.

In February 1998, Bruce Broughton was named the orchestra's second musical director after Blake. Releases under Broughton's leadership included recordings of soundtracks for The Young and the Restless and Heart of Darkness.

Present Orchestra[edit]

Sinfonia of London was reformed in 2018 by the conductor John Wilson. When it was re-established, the orchestra entered into a longstanding partnership with the British record label Chandos, with a view to undertaking a series of recording projects.[1] Within five years of its re-establishment, the orchestra had released 17 albums with the label.[2] Most significant among these were the world premiere recording of the complete original score of the musical Oklahoma!, with the show's original orchestration reconstructed by Bruce Pomahac,[9][10] and the premiere recording of Wilson's performing edition of Ravel's ballet Daphnis et Chloé,[11] both released in 2023.

In September 2021 the orchestra made its live performance debut at the BBC Proms, and has appeared at the festival every year since.[12] In November 2022, the orchestra embarked on its first UK tour, performing at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, St David's Hall, Cardiff, The Anvil, Basingstoke, and Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham with pianist Martin James Bartlett,[13] as well as making its Barbican Centre debut with a performance including Ravel's Shéhérazade, featuring soloist Alice Coote.[14]

In July 2023, the orchestra made its debut at the 74th Aldeburgh Festival in two concerts,[15] which was followed by its second UK tour in November of that year, Hollywood's Greatest Hits, a programme of works from The Golden Age of Hollywood, to nine venues across England and Scotland.[16]

Recordings[edit]

The following list features all recordings made by the present Sinfonia of London (re-established in 2018). All recordings are conducted by John Wilson.

Album Other performers (if any) Awards Result Label Label Code Release year
Korngold: Symphony in F sharp/Straussiana/Theme & Variations Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2020 Nominated Chandos Records CHAN5220 2019
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2020 Won
Escales: French Orchestral Works Chandos Records CHAN5252 2020
Respighi: Roman Trilogy Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2021 Nominated Chandos Records CHAN5261 2020
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2021 Won
International Classical Music Awards 2021 Nominated
Britten: The Turn Of The Screw (Film) Robert Murray (Prologue), Rhian Lois (Governess), Leo Jemison (Miles), Alys Mererid Roberts (Flora), Gweneth Ann Rand (Mrs. Grose), Francesca Chiejina (Miss Jessell) The Critics' Circle Award: Outstanding Achievement, Streaming and Digital Won Chandos Records CHDVD 5290 2021
English Music for Strings Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2021 Nominated Chandos Records CHAN 5264 2021
Dutilleux: Le Loup BBC Music Magazine Awards 2022 Won Chandos Records CHAN 5263 2021
Ravel: Orchestral Works Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2022 Won Chandos Records CHAN 5280 2022
Metamorphosen: Korngold/Schreker/ Strauss: Orchestral Works Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2022 Nominated Chandos Records CHAN 5292 2022
John Ireland: Orchestral Works Nominated Chandos Records CHAN 5293 2022
Hollywood Soundstage Chandos Records CHAN 5294 2022
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No.3 Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2023 Nominated Chandos Records CHAN 5297 2022
Music for Strings: Vaughan Williams, Howells, Delius, Elgar Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2023 Nominated Chandos Records CHSA 5291 2023
Grammy Awards 2024 - Producer of the Year, Classical: Brian Pidgeon Nominated
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2024 Won
Rachmaninoff – Symphony No.2 Chandos Records CHAN 5309 2023
Fuchs: Orchestral Works, Vol.1 Grammy Awards 2024 - Producer of the Year, Classical: Brian Pidgeon Nominated Chandos Records CHAN 5296 2023
Oklahoma! Nathaniel Hackmann (Curly), Sierra Boggess (Laurey), Rodney Earl Clarke (Jud Fry), Jamie Parker (Will Parker), Louise Dearman (Ado Annie), Sandra Marvin (Aunt Eller), Nadim Naaman (Ali Hakim), Oklahoma! Ensemble BBC Music Magazine Awards 2024 Won Chandos Records CHAN 5322 2023
Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloé Adam Walker (solo flute), Sinfonia of London Chorus Chandos Records CHAN 5327 2023

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Chandos Records and Sinfonia of London are proud to announce a new collaboration". www.classicalsource.com. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Chandos Records". Chandos Records. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  3. ^ "BBC Proms". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  4. ^ "The brilliance of Sinfonia of London, an orchestral supergroup". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Prom 2, Walker, Sinfonia of London, Wilson review - sensuousness and subtlety in excelsis". theartsdesk.com. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  6. ^ Jeal, Erica (9 November 2023). "Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé album review – generations will thank John Wilson for this glorious recording". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  7. ^ Morrison, pp. 109–110
  8. ^ "'Pure gold': Man who saved Hollywood hits brings world-class orchestra to Glasgow". Yahoo News. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Chandos to release world premiere recording of Oklahoma!". Classical Music. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  10. ^ Coghlan, Alexandra (11 December 2023). "John Wilson: My Oklahoma! sounds exactly as its creators intended". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé album review — John Wilson and Sinfonia of London hit a new high". www.ft.com. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  12. ^ "BBC Proms". BBC Music Events. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  13. ^ "The Sinfonia of London dazzles in orchestral showpieces in Basingstoke and you can believe the hype – Seen and Heard International". seenandheard-international.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Seduced by sound: the Sinfonia of London gives its Barbican debut". bachtrack.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  15. ^ Hugill, Planet. "This year's Aldeburgh Festival, the 74th edition, features a stellar line-up of international performers offering a wealth of music across a wholesome 17 days. Tony Cooper reports". Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Hollywood's greatest hits - News". www.londontheatrereviews.co.uk. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.

References[edit]

  • Morrison, Richard (2003). Orchestra: The LSO: A Century of Triumphs and Turbulence. London: Faber and Faber. ISBN 0571215831.

External links[edit]

Official Website

Artist Page on Chandos Records

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