Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra |
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| Orchestra | |
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| Founded | 1888 |
| Location | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Concert hall | Concertgebouw |
| Principal conductor | Klaus Mäkelä (designate) |
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (which means Royal Concert Building Orchestra in Dutch) is a very famous symphony orchestra from the Netherlands. It plays its music in a special concert hall in Amsterdam called the Royal Concertgebouw. Many people around the world think it is one of the best orchestras. In 1988, Queen Beatrix gave the orchestra the special title "Royal."
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History of the Orchestra
The Concertgebouw concert hall first opened its doors on April 11, 1888. The Concertgebouw Orchestra was created a few months later. They played their very first concert in the Concertgebouw on November 3, 1888. This first performance was led by the orchestra's first main conductor, Willem Kes.
Early Years: Kes and Mengelberg (1888–1945)
Willem Kes was the orchestra's chief conductor from 1888 until 1895. In 1895, Willem Mengelberg took over as chief conductor. He stayed in this important role for 50 years, which is a very long time for a music director!
Many people believe that Mengelberg helped the orchestra become famous around the world. He especially liked to perform music by composers like Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss. These composers were considered modern at the time.
For about its first 75 years, the Concertgebouw Orchestra had a few different types of conductors. Besides the chief conductor, there were "first conductors" and "second conductors." The first conductors helped the chief conductor choose the music. The second conductors followed instructions.
During Mengelberg's time, famous first conductors included Karl Muck, Pierre Monteux, Bruno Walter, and Eugen Jochum. These conductors were respected internationally. They also worked with other orchestras. The "second conductors" were all from the Netherlands. They included the composer Cornelis Dopper.
In 1945, Mengelberg was removed as chief conductor. This happened because of his actions during World War II, when Germany occupied the Netherlands. He was not allowed to conduct in the Netherlands anymore. The ban was first for his whole life, but it was later shortened to six years. Mengelberg passed away in 1951, before his ban ended. He never conducted the orchestra again after 1945.
After the War: Van Beinum and Haitink (1945–1988)
From 1945 to 1959, Eduard van Beinum was the orchestra's main conductor. He had first performed with the orchestra in 1929. He became a second conductor in 1931 and then a co-principal conductor in 1938.
Van Beinum was especially good at performing the symphonies of Anton Bruckner. He made recordings of Bruckner's Eighth and Ninth Symphonies with the orchestra. Van Beinum was the only chief conductor after World War II until he suddenly passed away in April 1959. He had a heart attack while conducting on the Concertgebouw stage.
Bernard Haitink first conducted the Concertgebouw Orchestra on November 7, 1956. After Van Beinum's death, Haitink and Eugen Jochum shared the chief conductor role from 1961 to 1963. Haitink then became the only chief conductor in 1963. He stayed in this role until 1988.
During Haitink's time, the conductor system became simpler. There was just one assistant conductor instead of first and second conductors. Conductors like Edo de Waart and Hans Vonk served as assistants. The orchestra made many more recordings under Haitink. They recorded for companies like Philips Records and EMI.
In the early 1980s, the Dutch government planned to cut funding for the orchestra. This could have meant that 23 musicians would lose their jobs. Haitink said he would resign if this happened. Luckily, the money problems were solved. In 1999, Haitink was given the special title of "conductor laureate" (eredirigent). He kept this title until he retired in 2019 and passed away in 2021.
New Leaders: Chailly, Jansons, and Gatti (1988–2018)
Riccardo Chailly first conducted the Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1985. That same year, he was chosen to be the next chief conductor after Haitink. Chailly was the first non-Dutch person to hold this important job. He was chief conductor from 1988 to 2004.
Chailly recorded all of Mahler's and Brahms's symphonies with the orchestra. He also recorded several Bruckner symphonies. He really liked modern music. He recorded works by composers like Shostakovich, Paul Hindemith, Igor Stravinsky, Olivier Messiaen, and Edgard Varèse. After he left in 2004, Chailly was named Conductor Emeritus of the orchestra.
Mariss Jansons first conducted the orchestra in 1988. In 2002, the orchestra chose Jansons to be its next chief conductor. His time officially began on September 1, 2004. He was chief conductor until the 2014–15 season. Jansons also held the title of conductor emeritus until he passed away in 2019.
Daniele Gatti first guest-conducted the orchestra in 2004. In October 2014, the orchestra announced that Gatti would be its seventh chief conductor, starting in 2016. However, on August 2, 2018, the orchestra ended Gatti's time as chief conductor. This was due to complaints about his behavior.
Recent Years (2020–present)
In October 2020, the orchestra announced that Iván Fischer would be its honorary guest conductor. This role started with the 2021–2022 season.
Klaus Mäkelä first guest-conducted the orchestra in September 2020. The orchestra invited him back to conduct several times. In June 2022, the orchestra announced that Mäkelä would be an artistic partner from 2022 to 2027. After that, he will become the next chief conductor, starting with the 2027–2028 season. His first contract will be for five years.
In March 2024, the orchestra created a new program called the Bernard Haitink Associate Conductorship. This was made possible by a gift from Patricia Haitink and the Haitink family. Aurel Dawidiuk was chosen as the first associate conductor for this program.
What Makes the Orchestra Special?
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra has a very special history. It had a close relationship with Gustav Mahler. The orchestra performed many of his symphonies, including a famous Mahler Festival in 1920. Other conductors who worked closely with the orchestra include Pierre Monteux, Eugen Jochum, and George Szell. Kirill Kondrashin was a main guest conductor from 1978 until his death in 1981. More recently, Nikolaus Harnoncourt was an Honorary Guest Conductor starting in 2000.
Another thing that makes the orchestra unique is that it has only had eight chief conductors in its long history. This is different from many other orchestras of its age and quality. The orchestra has also made nearly a thousand recordings. These recordings have helped build its great reputation. The orchestra also plays for opera shows at the Dutch National Opera.
The orchestra has its own record label called RCO Live. They have released CDs conducted by Jansons and Haitink, among others.
Chief Conductors of the Orchestra
- Willem Kes (1888–1895)
- Willem Mengelberg (1895–1945)
- Eduard van Beinum (1945–1959)
- Eugen Jochum (1961–1963; shared the role with Bernard Haitink)
- Bernard Haitink (1961–1988)
- Riccardo Chailly (1988–2004)
- Mariss Jansons (2004–2015)
- Daniele Gatti (2016–2018)
- Klaus Mäkelä (chosen for 2027)
See also
In Spanish: Orquesta Real del Concertgebouw para niños
