The Göteborgs Symfoniker (Gothenburg Symphony, or Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra ) is an orchestra based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Founded in 1905, it was granted the title of the "National Orchestra of Sweden" in 1997. The GSO is resident at the Gothenburg Concert Hall, built in 1935.
Although the GSO has a broad repertoire, it has a special affinity for the works of the Nordic Late Romantic composers, such as Jean Sibelius and Edvard Grieg, which has comprised the bulk of its recorded output, as well as Neeme Järvi's specialty, Prokofiev. During Järvi's 22 years as principal conductor, the orchestra's longest, its reputation on the world stage was greatly increased, including sponsorships from Volvo and a recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon. Järvi currently holds the title of Principal Conductor Emeritus (Chefdirigent Emeritus) with the GSO.
The orchestra's most recent principal conductor was Gustavo Dudamel, from 2007 to 2012. Dudamel now has the title of hedersdirigent (honorary conductor) of the GSO. The orchestra's current principal guest conductor is Christian Zacharias. In August 2012, the GSO announced the appointment of Kent Nagano as its principal guest conductor and artistic advisor, as of the 2013-2014 season, with an initial contract of 3 years.
In addition to Deutsche Grammophon, the orchestra has recorded commercially for such labels as BIS.
Read more about Gothenburg Symphony: Principal Conductors
Famous quotes containing the word symphony:
“The truth is, as every one knows, that the great artists of the world are never Puritans, and seldom even ordinarily respectable. No virtuous man—that is, virtuous in the Y.M.C.A. sense—has ever painted a picture worth looking at, or written a symphony worth hearing, or a book worth reading, and it is highly improbable that the thing has ever been done by a virtuous woman.”
—H.L. (Henry Lewis)