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Nederlands Kamerorkest (The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra) (= NKO) was founded in 1955 and since September 1, 1985 has been part of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation. For the first 22 years following its formation, the orchestra had as its artistic director the world-famous violinist, teacher and conuctor Szymon Goldberg, who brought the orchestra to international recognition. After a two-year period with David Zinman (1965-1977), Antoni Ros-Marb served as Principal Conductor of the NKO from 1979 to 1986. Hartmut Haenchen became principal conductor of the ensemble on September 1, 1986, and Philippe Entremont was appointed prinipal guest conductor on January 1, 1993.
The NKO makes its home in Amsterdam's Beurs van Berlage, where it also performs many of its concerts in the Yakult Zaal. In addition, the orchestra has its own concert series in the Grote Zaal of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Along with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra (NPO), the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra plays an important role in opera at Amsterdam's Music Theater. The NKO regularly accompanies opera productions requiring a chamber orchestra or works with the NPO in productions where a larger orchestra is needed. The NKO performs frequently in other music centers in The Netherlands and tours regularly throughout Europe and abroad. In April 2000, the orchestra travelled to Japan with Philippe Entremont. The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra is known as a prominent representative of the still relatively few full-time chamber orchestras, able to devote all of its time to perfecting the characteristic chamber orchestra sound, and specializing in chamber orchestra repertoire from all styles and periods.
During its 45-year existence the NKO has attracted many of the world's most eminent conductors and soloists as guest artists and has made numerous LP's and CD's for several recording companies. |
