Northern Sinfonia is one of Europe's most exciting chamber orchestras. Under its Music Director Thomas Zehetmair Northern Sinfonia's repertoire covers the full range of Western classical music from early baroque, through the classical and romantic periods, to specially commissioned new work.
Anniversaries and Birthdays
Northern Sinfonia celebrated its 50th Anniversary Season in 2008/09, which opened with Northern Sinfonia and Music Director Thomas Zehetmair performing a complete cycle of Beethoven's nine symphonies over five concerts in chronological order to critical acclaim. The orchestra celebrated the 5th Birthday of its Norman Foster-designed home, The Sage Gateshead, in December 2009.
Programming
Northern Sinfonia is noted for its dynamic approach to programmes and performances, ranging from small-scale ensembles in intimate locations to the full orchestra in the major concert halls of Europe including The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, The Philharmonie in Berlin and The Musikverein in Vienna.
There is an equally flexible approach to the times of performances, incorporating concerts throughout the day, and early and late evening.
To view The Sage Gateshead's current Classical Subscription Series, of which Northern Sinfonia is at the heart, click here.
To view details of other classical concerts at The Sage Gateshead, some of which include Northern Sinfonia, click here.
Out and About
Touring forms an integral part of Northern Sinfonia's work. From its home at The Sage Gateshead it continues to perform across the North of England and fly the region's flag throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Recent touring included a residency at the Hong Kong Festival with Northern Sinfonia Chorus, and a European tour with Ian Bostridge.
Classic FM Partnership
Northern Sinfonia is proud to be Classic FM's orchestra in the North East. Northern Sinfonia will perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 24th as part of Classic FM Live. Click here to visit Classic FM's website and find out more.
Guest Artists
Northern Sinfonia is proud to work with its Music Director, Thomas Zehetmair, along with other distinguished visiting musicians including Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Franz Bruggen, Imogen Cooper, Thierry Fischer, Lesley Garrett, Evelyn Glennie, Heinz Holliger, Kiri Te Kanawa, and Heinrich Schiff. To hear Northern Sinfonia play with musical prodigy Alexander Prior, click here and see 'Teenage Maestro hits a high note'.
Recordings
Recordings and broadcasts form an integral part of the orchestra's work. The most recent recording, released on 25th May 2009, sees Thomas Zehetmair, Music Director of Northern Sinfonia, return as both soloist and conductor with a new recording of Symphonies 3 & 6 by Sibelius and Stravinsky's Violin Concerto. Recorded The Sage Gateshead, the CD is the fourth recorded in the world-class acoustics of Hall One and is already gaining critical acclaim with four stars in the Guardian, "Thomas Zehetmair directs the concerto from the violin; he brings the work alive marvellously." Previous releases have also won critical acclaim, including '(Zehetmair and) Northern Sinfonia's interpretation achieves a level of intimacy between soloist and orchestra that is almost unrivalled elsewhere.' BBC Music Magazine CD of the Month July 2007 for the Brahms Violin Concerto and Schumann Symphony no. 4.
Education
Northern Sinfonia players take part in The Sage Gateshead's wide-ranging Learning and Participation programme, which features projects to involve people of all ages and abilities along with community performances.
Northern Sinfonia also has an associated award-winning youth orchestra, Young Sinfonia, and is joined for both performance and recording by Northern Sinfonia Chorus.
Visit ExploreMusic to find out more about forthcoming soloists and guests of Northern Sinfonia, composer biographies and to access Grove Online.
